About six years ago on a golf outing in South Jersey it was my good fortune to be paired with a guy I’d never met—a leftie with a long drive and an uncanny ability to get out of trouble on the course, which was mostly a result of his “going for it.” I noticed he rarely took “safe shots.” And he always seemed to go right at the flag from wherever he was on the course. I never heard him say what one often hears among amateur golfers: “I’ll just lay up; I’ll never make it, anyway.” Very precise short game, too. We were introduced as two people who were into music, something that I hear all the time. Of course, everybody’s into music. I’m used to being polite in these situations, respecting the other person’s musical tastes, experiences, and background and believing any claim they make about their own talents and achievements. To my surprise, after we exchanged our most recent musical projects, I learned my friendly round was with a formidable and talented musician with whom I had a lot in common and who’d become a great creative partner and a better friend.
There’s a lot I could express, but cannot, in the small space of this fare-ye-well post as J. Anthony ThompSon leaves the East Coast for an amazing new opportunity in St. Louis in the context of his other passion involving technology and business. Jerry is a real right brain/left brain type if I ever met one. He’s a man of varied kinds of expertise: athletic, analytic, technological, managerial, interpersonal and musical—you know, the kind of guy you’d sorta, kinda hate if it weren’t for the fact he was on your team. I’m especially grateful that he’s proven time and time again that he was, indeed, the consummate team player even as his skill set could easily allow him to focus solely on his own interests. From his JAT WORLD studio in suburban Philadelphia, Jerry co-produced many projects, including my CD The Colored Waiting Room, a feat for which I’ll always be grateful. He recorded and engineered most of the tracks, composed one of the songs, mixed the entire project, suggested musicians, and provided creative direction and encouragement with a clear-headed vision for the possibilities and potential of the recording. It could not have been the success it was without his input, I’m sure.
Jerry’s a killer musician from top to bottom: he’s a great songwriter, pianist, and can whip a B-3 Hammond with the best of them. He got it honest as he hails from one of those Midwest music dynasty families of the black Pentecostal tradition. You know the type of family: everybody sings great, plays an instrument, and, of course, there’s a sprinkling of influential pastors and preachers to fill out the roster. It’s a mantle and mantra that he carries well as area churches call on him to direct their live recordings and important concert appearances because of his experience and professionalism. If you’ve ever experienced one those Tyler Perry-esque “gospel plays,” you may not have thought much about some of the seriously talented people driving the action from behind the scenes. Jerry’s worked on a number of these kinds of productions as musical director, consultant and composer with much success. The songs he contributed—like the hundreds of tunes he’s written through the 
years—are remarkable inventions of craft, heart, and emotional balance. It’s no wonder he’s been an in-demand presence on the East Coast for decades.
Although it’s tough to see him and his beautiful, hilarious and generous wife Dionne leave the area, I can think of no two people more deserving of all of the great opportunities that surely lie ahead. As they make their way to the next big adventure, Musiqology.com is proud to salute the ThompSons’ reach for the top. While they’ll certainly be difficult adjustments for me personally and professionally ahead—he’s the friend one actually needs /and/ loves—I wish the whole clan Godspeed, much success and lots of funky, soulful music in their bright future.
JT, you’re the best. Play this next chapter as if you’re 190 yards out, second shot on a par 5, pin in the back, uphill lie, hitting over some water, slight wind behind you, slow greens, no trouble on either side, one stroke down, and the low man is talking s*** with $100 and bragging rights on the line. You know what you gotta do. Go for it, my brother!
Tags: jatworld, jerry thompson, musicians
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