Oluyemi Thomas

Oluyemi Thomas is a versatile reed player and musician known for his contributions to the jazz scene. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he moved to Oakland, California in 1974 and has been a significant figure in the East Bay music scene ever since. Thomas is not only a musician but also a mechanical engineer, having studied both music and mechanical engineering at Washtenaw College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This dual background has influenced his approach to music, combining technical skills with artistic expression. He has performed with notable figures such as Cecil Taylor and William Parker, and his music is often characterized as more than just jazz, incorporating elements of free improvisation.

As part of the group Positive Knowledge, Thomas has released several albums, including *At the Center of the Threshold* and *Invocation #9*. His philosophy sees music as a sacred social tool rather than purely commercial. Alongside his musical pursuits, he is married to poet Ijeoma Thomas. Oluyemi continues to explore the boundaries of sound and visual art through his work on illuminated musical scores.

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