Album Notes

Born in Detroit, MI in the late 1960's to an American mother and Canadian Father, Thibodeau grew up in Canada and the USA, listening to his Father's Jazz record collection. He studied music theory in college and privately, while playing professionally from a young age. Thibodeau has shared the stage with and/or recorded with music legends including: Alberta Adams, Marcus Belgrave, George Benson, Odessa Harris, Mudpuppy, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Colin Linden, Johnny "yard dog" Jones, Johnnie Bassett, Joe Weaver, Kenny Martin, Stanley Mitchell, Karen Lawrence, Cesar Pena, Francesco Mora, Robert Penn, Wild Child Butler, and more. He has been compared to some of his idols including: Gene Harris, Oscar Peterson, Horace Silver and Bill Evans.

Waiting for J.J is an excellent, collective representation of Thibodeau's diverse writing styles and playing capabilities. "I think my tendency to change styles in mid stream or to write a song that draws from several different styles of Jazz comes naturally from the varied opportunities and experiences I've been afforded", Thibodeau says while reflecting about his rare status as a citizen of the United States and Canada. "Growing up in Windsor and Detroit is a great musical experience - Detroit has its own sound, you know, it's not New York and it's not west coast." From the bluesy numbers "Uphill" and "Southbound and Blue", to the more straight ahead "D'lemma", one will start to get a feel for the multiplicity of composition on this recording. Thibodeau even shows us his own take on rhythm changes with the energetic "Slow down Leo". Not only is he fond of playing different styles, but also different instruments - Thibodeau moves seamlessly from traditional Piano Trio to Organ, Drums, Guitar Trio. As for the rest of the musicians in the lineup, Barron has an awesome sound and feel on the Bass that perfectly complement the tunes. Valdez is an exciting drummer and world renowned Perry Hughes is perfect on guitar with his unmatched sound and technique. "I feel very fortunate to be able to hear my tunes played by these musicians - I wouldn't want to have anyone on bass more than John.", Thibodeau says. I hope everyone enjoys this recording as much as I do - there isn't a tune on it that I didn't either like immediately or learn to like with time.
-Kari Schofield - DM Nightlife magazine.