Billy Thompson

Billy Thompson is a classically trained improvising violinist performing in numerous different styles of music. These styles vary from his highly popular band Billy Thompson Gypsy Style to performing with internationally acclaimed jazz artists such as saxophonist/composer Barbara Thompson OBE and pianist/composer Mike Westbrook MBE. Billy performs on five albums and a DVD with Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia and is an integral part of the wonderful Glad Day by Mike Westbrook featuring on the live DVD released last year. Other current projects include a live looping project with composer Warren Greveson called Dolennu and also a project with a highly talented singer/songwriter (and wine producer) called Gavin Crisfield. During Billy’s time living in Wales, Billy has performed and recorded with many of Wales’ finest musicians and singer/songwriters including Meic Stevens (for ten years), Gai Toms (Mim Twm Llai), Heather Jones, Sian James, Delwyn Sion, Dafydd Iwan, Elin Fflur, Gwynneth Glyn, Alun Tan Lan and Gwilym Bowen Rhys. During his time in South Wales, Billy was an integral part of The Amigos performing all around Wales and featuring on 3 studio albums. Meeting singer/songwriter Rhian Williams (now Thompson) led to the creation of the Welsh band Amledd and the release of the album Cyfnod Cyntaf. Now residing in Bala, North Wales with his family since 2005, Billy also runs a recording studio offering recording services, location recording and an online session musician service. WEDDINGS/FUNCTIONS: When not doing all the above, Billy also performs all around the UK (and further afield) playing at weddings and functions of all kinds. The band used is the core of Billy Thompson Gypsy Style but performs a much wider range of music than appears on the 2 CDs under that name. Billy Thompson's wedding performances are unique in style and quality. Enhancing every couple's dream day in a very special way. 'Amazing music to create a memory to last a lifetime'. Billy is available for functions of all kinds including Weddings and practically any other event where high quality live music is required. Solo or with his band. Solo, Billy plays a wide selection of music to high quality backing tracks. Depending on the client's requirements, the music ranges from well known classical pieces through to jazz, gypsy jazz and popular music by the likes of Snow Patrol, Coldplay et al... Any specific tunes required can be learned with a little advance notice... In 1996 and 1998 Billy reached the televised final of the Young Jazz Musician of the Year and has subsequently performed with some of the biggest names around. Highlights have included headlining twice at Ronnie Scott's London with Barbara Thompson's Paraphernalia and being the main support for Tom Jones' home coming concert in Pontypridd in front of 25,000 people. Incidentally, the day of the Tom Jones gig also saw Billy performing in the VIP hospitality tent and then afterwards traveling to Cardiff to play at a wedding in the MacDonald Hotel. When the band is booked for functions, Eryl Jones brings along his mandolin and banjo - as well as his superb growly voice allowing us to perform a wide range of music from Tom Waits songs to Jazz classics, Bluegrass, Traditional Folk and Americana. Antics got up to frequently include Billy walking around the audience whilst playing due to his ability to play wirelessly... 'Walking' being an understatement...