Thom Jayne and the Nomads
Webberville, Michigan, United States
Music
Press
"No longer can the seemingly eccentric styles of jazz be dismissed as mere caprice, for its practitioners have succeeded in realizing their own unique and magnetic presence...Thom Jayne and the Unusual Suspects [now the Nomads], aptly titled, are poster children for this form of jazz fusion. Not only does this award-winning group employ such unorthodox instruments as the didgeridoo and Native American flute, but with the help of African percussion as well, MSU professor Thom Jayne fashions a fascinating blend of flamenco, Latin Jazz, and Celtic musical traditions" -- Jonas Greenberg, host of the Jazz Spectrum, The Impact 88.9 FM, Lansing, Michigan. - The Impact 88.9 FM
"A fabulous album" -- Dan Bayer, Music for a New Age, WKAR FM, East Lansing. - WKAR FM
"Thom Jayne qualifies as a local artist for us but, honestly, I'd play 'The Forgotten Conquest' if it came from Bosnia. Simply, a disc with bite in an often sleepy genre" -- Matt Jerrells, Music Director, WYCE, Grand Rapids
- WYCE Grand Rapids
I want my MiTV: Thom Jayne & the Nomads - Cuban Cigars
Frequent Absolute Michigan contributor Scott Allman has some great videos from a recent performance by Thom Jayne & the Nomads at Lansing's Creole Gallery. This song is called Cuban Cigars and you can see more videos from the show including a sweet version of Also sprach Zarathustra aka the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. You can also get their music at CD Baby.
- Absolute Michigan
Discography
2002 - Forgotten Conquest:
John Lennon Songwriters Award for "Moroccan Blues." Received the WYCE Jammie Award for "Best worldbeat CD released in 2002 by a Michigan artist."
Ranked #13 on national playlist by New Age Recorder, February 2003.
2005 - Road Trip:
Awarded the 2005 Jammie Award (Worldbeat Category). Unique fusion of worldbeat, jazz, and celtic influeces.
Streaming available at www.myspace.com/thomjayneandthenomads
Radio airplay locally on WLNZ 89.7FM, and nationally on Cerius Radio and over 40 other stations nationwide.
Photos
Bio
Thom Jayne and the Nomads have emerged on the alternative music scene with a hard-to-categorize blend of African, celtic, Latin, and jazz. His first release, The Forgotten Conquest, has received award-winning recognition in the John Lennon Songwriters Contest, won the 2002 Jammie Award/World Beat category, and was featured on Dan Bayer's "Music for a New Age.
After performing and recording with the band 'Pariah' on the east coast in the late 1970s, Thom Jayne sold everything, joined the Peace Corps, and moved to the savannah of Ghana in West Africa at 24. Several of the band's original compositions were conceived during his two-year stay in a small village there. Now a professor at MSU, Jayne travels four times a year to places such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia. These cross-cultural experiences, including a recent extended stay in Rome, have influenced Thom’s vision for the band and are evident in the eclectic style of their music.
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