Bob Thompson's Joy to the World (Friday)

For over thirty years, Joy to the World has been delighting audiences with new and classic holiday favorites. Presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this popular event returns to the West Virginia Culture Center Theater for two nights: Thursday, December 11 and Friday, December 12.

Joining Thompson on stage is his long-time band — Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitar, John Inghram on bass, plus special guest vocalist Catherine Russell and special guest James Moore on trumpet.

*This event will be filmed for video broadcast

Showtime for both nights is 8 p.m.
Doors open at 7:30pm

Early-bird tickets are $25 until 10 a.m. on November 28. After this time, general admission tickets will be $30 until show day. Day of show tickets are $35.

Internationally known jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Bob Thompson (born December 12, 1942 in Jamaica, Queens, New York) is the house pianist and a featured performer on National Public Radio’s syndicated Mountain Stage program, which is broadcast live from the West Virginia Culture Center Theater in Charleston.

Thompson grew up in New York City, but came to West Virginia in the 1960s to study music at West Virginia State College (now University), and thereafter decided to stay.

Since the 1970s, Thompson and his bands have recorded and released multiple CDs, and toured nationally and internationally, performing gigs in Europe, Africa and South America. Throughout the 1980s Thompson released a series of widely acclaimed solo albums, first through his own label, Rainbow Records, and later on Capitol’s Intima jazz label. His most recent release is on Blue Canoe Records.

Thompson is co-producer and host of the annual “Joy to The World” holiday jazz show that airs on public radio stations across the nation, and is heard internationally on Voice of America.

When not performing on Mountain Stage, touring, or educating, Thompson continues to perform in Charleston and the tri-state area.

Vocalist Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born into musical royalty. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist / composer / bandleader, and Louis Armstrong's long-time musical director. Her mother, the late Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist / guitarist / bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Sy Oliver. Catherine’s professional life began early. After graduating with honors from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she toured and recorded with Carrie Smith, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, Toshi Reagon and Rosanne Cash, among others, appearing on over 200 albums.

Her 2006 debut album Cat, (World Village/Harmonia Mundi), garnered rave reviews, paving the way for her 2008 sophomore release, Sentimental Streak.  Catherine was a guest on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", PBS-TV’s “Tavis Smiley Show”, and NPR's "Fresh Air", “Piano Jazz”, “Mountain Stage”, “World Café”, and “Jazz Night in America.” She has won a prestigious German Record Critics' Award and a Living Blues magazine critics' poll. Catherine Russell's third album, Inside This Heart of Mine, reached #1 on JazzWeek and Roots Music Report radio charts, while also charting on Billboard and reaching #1 on ITunes jazz charts. A fourth album, Strictly Romancin’ was released in February 2012, and was awarded Prix du Jazz Vocal (Vocal Album of The Year) by the French Jazz Academy, Grand Prix du Hot Club de France, and a Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording. Also in 2012, Catherine Russell received a Grammy® Award as a featured artist on the soundtrack album for the HBO-TV series, Boardwalk Empire. 

James Moore is an in-demand jazz trumpet player in Pittsburgh’s vibrant jazz scene, where he is a member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra and performs regularly with jazz legend Roger Humphries. His own trio features James Johnson, III on drums and Clifford Barnes on organ. He has recorded and performed with dozens of internationally acclaimed jazz artists.

James is a vocal supporter of not only jazz education, but of the power of the liberal arts to transform the lives of collegiate students. He has served as a leader in higher education since 2006, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning.

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