Born in Nice (France) on July 5, 1987 Thomas Delor began drumming at the age of 8. He was rapidly drawn toward Jazz, a genre he discovered thanks to his family's record collection and that allowed him to unleash his creativity.
Starting at 16, parallel to his post baccalaureate studies in mathematics, he began performing live with professional musicians in France and Italy. In 2007, he was invited by Orchestre Classique Instrumental de Nice conductor Avner Soudry to perform as a guest percusionist.
In 2008, he went to New York City for the first time. This trip gave him the opportunity to network and collaborate with American musicians.
“Self-taught drummer with a great sense of musicality, famous for his unique, expressive, and individual style, mixing finesse, intensity, sensitivity, and complexity, he bases his work principally on listening, interplay, and a quest for sonority.”
His taste for playing in small bands (from solo to quartet) developed as a means to approach the instrument both rhythmically and diatonically. “The drums are a young instrument that certainly has evolved, but still is in its early stages nonetheless. I would like to break the rule that the drums only functions are rhythm and tempo, as it is taught in France... Nowadays, I believe the drums should be as integral to the melody as any other instrument.”
He has collaborated with pianists David Berkman, Eric Lewis, Noah Haidu; guitarists Philippe Petit, Philip Catherine; double bass players Ugonna Okegwo, Miroslav Vitous, Christophe Wallemme; among others. He has recorded several albums.
Apart from the projects he is currently involved with as a sideman (Faiz Lamouri Quintet, Great Debaters Quartet...), he is the leader of a trio, has a solo project (first album envisioned mid-2015), as well as the “Chamber Metropolitan Trio” with pianist Matthieu Roffé, and double bass player Damien Varaillon, scheduled to release its debut album in the first quarter of 2015.
One of Europe’s finest saxophonists and most eclectic musicians, Vincent Thekal is the leader of several different bands and is currently playing regularly in Belgium and across the continent. Vincent’s current musical exploits include the “Vincent Thekal Trio” who released their critically acclaimed last album « Origami » in September 2018 on the « Hypnote Records » label, and the “Monk’s Music Quartet” which is dedicated to performing the repertoire of the great musical genius.
In addition Vincent has played with Bob Mover, Jerome Sabbagh, David Bryant, Emil Spanyi, Tam De Villiers, Dre Pallemaerts, Bo Van Der Werf, Fabian Fiorini and Jean Louis Rassinfosse among other.
He has appeared in numerous jazz clubs and festivals throughout Europe, including Jazz à Vienne, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Millau en Jazz, Dinant Jazz Night, Brussels Jazz Marathon, Blues’n’jazz Rally, and Jazz im Brunnenhof to name a few, including France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, UK, Finland, Switzerland…