Classical singer John Thomas will celebrate 20 years as a vocalist with a concert, Reflections, at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, on April 24, from 5 p.m.
The concert is an opportunity for the entertainer to thank his fans for their support over the years, and comes on the heels of Believe, a successful concert in December 2021.
Thomas said Reflections is also an opportunity for him to reflect on how grateful he is to still have the opportunity to do what he loves, in the face of adversity.
“We are living in strange times. We are contending with a pandemic that feels eternal, inflation and now a war that threatens our existing world order. Fear seems to be the reasonable response,” the singer said.
Thomas said it is important to show gratitude. Over the years, Thomas has been blessed with not just success on the stage, but he was also able to use his platform to support the industry.
“It is understandable if we decide to retreat into a shell. I have found that in the face of adversity, gratitude is an act of defiance.
“I have a lot for which to be grateful. I have been blessed with 20 years in the professional musical landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.
“It’s been a wild ride. I have gotten to wear many hats-teacher, performer, entertainer, producer, impresario and creative director.
“This concert gives me the opportunity to say thank you to my audience for allowing me to manifest all the parts of myself on stage for all these years,” Thomas said.
Grateful in trying times
Thomas said putting this concert together has been difficult, yet rewarding.
“I would be the first to admit that being grateful in trying times can be an exercise in masochism. It is an understatement to say that getting resources to put the show together has been harder than usual.
“My mother always tells me the story of the day my father died. At the hospital the doctors gave her good news and bad news.
“Being pregnant with me was the good news. On that day, she decided that she would press on and do what she had to do to provide for her three children. For nine months I fed on my mother’s resolve. When things get hard, I go harder—my mother’s gift to me,” Thomas said.
A fork in the road
He hopes that the Reflections theme will resonate with patrons.
“Every show has a theme. Sometimes the theme can be personal to me. I have had to overcome many challenges in my life. As such, the idea of transcending oneself is important to me, and forms the foundation of the Believe franchise.
“Life is like a box of chocolates and so is my show. The genres of music that we perform are as diverse as the society that we live in. As an artiste, I enjoy variety and challenging myself by merging different sounds and visual elements.
“At other times, the theme can be born out of a collective experience. The world seems to be at a fork in the road. We look back at all that we have been and now we must decide on who we shall become
“I, too, find myself reflecting on what I have created in the world so far and the ways I can lend myself to us all creating something better.”
Patrons can expect a diverse and exciting concert experience.
“It’s one of the main things that my audience has come to love and expect from the shows. I have been trained classically and I remain true to my form.
“When people come to the shows, they are always surprised by the ways in which opera can rub up on pop, and the way that calypso can rub up on musical theatre.
“The artiste is never surprised. Music is transcendent. We know this. We know this because music helps us to transcend ourselves. It is always a pleasure watching an audience discover that truth,” Thomas said. Patrons can also expect enthralling guest artistes.
“It has been truly difficult to decide on a cast for the show, as it has been 20 years of collaborating with many wonderful people and artistes that I respect.
“There are many people that I would have loved to share the stage with. However, as the show is looking back at my career, I chose artistes that represent the several hats that I have been blessed to wear.
As a choir director, it is a personal mandate that choral work finds itself on the stage. The Eastern Chorale never fails to make me proud.
“I have been lucky as a teacher to discover not one, but two, prodigies—Clarice Beeput and my recent discovery, Alyssa Joseph.
“Every teacher was once a student. I have been fortunate to learn at the feet of Edward Cumberbatch.
“I am pleased to share the stage with the sagacious Marlon De Bique. Johanna and Johann Chuckeree represent the fusion sound that has been my life’s work. Rose joins me as my sister.
New things to come
“Leandra and I have never shared a stage, she represents all the new things to come. The cast shall be accompanied by a live orchestra under the baton of maestro Boyd Gibson of the University of the Southern Caribbean.”
In the coming months and as part of his 20th anniversary celebrations, Thomas will launch the John Thomas and Believe Merchandise Store. He will also release his EP, entitled Reflections.
Seats for Reflections can be booked and paid for online at www.queenshalltt.com or in person at the Queen’s Hall box office between the hours of noon and 6 p.m., Mondays to Sundays.
For more information, call the Queen’s Hall help desk at 376-5699. All VIP tickets include refreshments.
