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The Eighth Note: Louis Thompson-Munn

‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.

A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.

Today’s guest is pianist/vocalist Louis Thompson-Munn, who is involved in various Musical projects.

Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m a Wellington based piano/vocalist, currently I’ve just completed a NZ tour with my jazz trio Ol’ King Cole – though you can probably catch me playing around town with a variety of different bands.

What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
Just before going away on tour I released an album with my trio Ol’ King Cole of some works of the great Nat King Cole’s trio. I’ve also been working with a few other groups with hopefully some new music on the way – The Fades, Moira Jean, Wellington City Shake-em-on-Downers & Neo Hot Jive Orchestra to name a few.

Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Facebook is probably the best way to keep up with the bands I play in with, though I sometime keep my Website updated! Haha

What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Way to many to name! Haha – though I was influenced by a number of things. My Mum grew up a little in the USA & Canada so I got a lot of the jazz cannon home that way with my Pop also playing piano and singing these tunes. But on the other hand Dad grew up with the Rolling Stones and the Pink Floyd etc. so a variety of music! If it sounds good to you, it’s good!

Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Again, way too many to name! We’re very lucky to have such amazing talent in this city, and country!

What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
There’s always great vibes in every venue but the Rogue & Vagabond is always a great time! And they have a piano there so it makes my life easy most of the time ;-P

In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
This can vary of course depending on who I’m working with, but songs/compositions can take shape in many ways. Sometimes you’ll have someone with some chord progressions or a riff to work from, then you can jam those out to find a melody organically. But you can also go the other way and have lyrics and maybe a melody first. Sometimes someone will just write a tune from head to toe as well, so it’s always pretty different.

Where/when is your next gig?
Thursday I’m playing with a funk trio at Rogue & Vagabond, 9:30pm.
Friday at Rogue again with the Moira Jean band, 9:30pm.
Sunday night at The Library, 8:30pm with Oscar Laven (sax) & Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (drums) playing organ trio


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