According to a family story, his dad played the Sesame Street theme song on the keyboard, and Thomas could play it back. After that, Thomas’ parents enrolled him in lessons right away, and he began studying and playing jazz at the age of 12. Thomas offers some very straightforward advice for anyone thinking of seeking a career in music: “Do it!” When it comes to inspiration, Thomas has a wide variety of artists he looks up to Duke Ellington for being a compositional genius, Thelonius Monk for his fearlessness, Herbie Hancock for his infectious energy, and Miles Davis simply for being Miles Davis. “Music is one of the most amazing things in the universe,” Thomas said. “To make a career of it, you have to absolutely love what you do first and foremost and never let the obligation of having to make money diminish the fire and passion that you have for music.Guests: -Tony Martin (singer) - ''Gigi'' & ''Fire Down Below'' -Benny Fields, Blossom Seeley, Tony Martin - ''My Blushin' Rosie'' (Note: Benny Fields & Blossom Seeley were vaudevillians) -Xavier Cugat and his band with Abbe Lane - ''Dengoza I,'' ''Ain't Misbehavin''' & ''Rockin' The Mambo'' -Roger Williams (pianist) - ''Tico Tico'' & interview with Ed (talks to Ed about honorary degree). Roger Williams (later in show) - ''Near to You'' -Jack E.

Liam DeVally - ''The Gentle Maiden'' (a traditional Irish folk ballad) Leonard & Leonard (tap dancing duo) -Dolores Vargas and Jose Castellon Batista (Spanish dance team with guitar accompaniment) -On film: clip from ''Roots Of Heaven'' with Trevor Howard (elephant scene) -Audience bows: Miss By-Line Mercury dealers (followed by Ed promoting the 1958 Mercury) - Read More Electric'') - pops a string of lights out of his mouth Leonard (comedian) - does stand-up routine & sings ''When You're Smiling'' -Ben Bennett and Dick Patterson (comedy team doing a storytime sketch) -Marvin Roy (magician known as ''Mr.

Jennie teal piano prodigy ed sullivan