Aaron Thompson fuses eclectic music and breathtaking vocals to spread the Gospel

Aaron Thompson picked up a trumpet in the fourth grade, and he’s had one instrument or another in his hands ever since.

He brings his sweeping instrumental talents and tremendous vocal range to his fourth CD, “Turn the Page,” recently released by Disciple Records.

“The theme of this album is healing,” says Thompson. “I was struck – as I think everyone was – by the sexual misconduct scandals in our church. After we stopped reeling from it all, after those who needed to be punished were punished, we needed to focus on healing – healing for people who were abused, and for priests who struggle with addiction.”

The title cut, “Turn the Page,” is dedicated to the victims of sexual abuse. The haunting ballad, “Is It True?” was composed for priests, but Thompson says it is really for everyone struggling to live out their vocation – whether it’s a religious vocation, marriage or the single life.

“I think all of the other songs on the album wrap around that one and support the message of mercy and grace and forgiveness in Christ,” he says.

From the syncopated beat of “Disturb Us” to the driving rhythm of “Great and Eternal God,” Thompson takes his listeners on a ride that covers a lot of musical and lyrical terrain.
“I really like to really mix things up style-wise and tempo-wise,” says Thompson, whose music has been influenced by everyone from The Jackson Five and Stevie Wonder to Elton John and Aerosmith. “I want the audience – whether they’re young or old – to find something that they can grab on to and take home.”

Thompson lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife Marian and their children (Mark, 10 and Madison, 4). In addition to his work as a recording artist and performer, Thompson is director of music ministry for St. Anne’s Parish in Gilbert.

“My ministry as a church musician drives much of the stuff I write,” he says. “For example, there’s a song in Latin called ‘Ubi Caritas’ that’s done during Lent. The gist of the song is that when there’s charity and love, God is there. That inspired me to write “God is There” for the album.”

Thompson sees a fundamental difference between mainstream contemporary Christian music and contemporary Catholic music.

“It all has a purpose,” he says, “but often Catholic music takes into account our covenant relationship with God as opposed to just the ‘me and God’ relationship. ‘Me and God’ is a valid and necessary relationship, but it’s not who we are when we celebrate Eucharist.”
Thompson got his first taste of doing concerts at the Newman Center at Northern Arizona University, where he attended on a full trumpet scholarship. While in college, he also toured throughout the United States and Canada with the Continental Singers.

“Over the last couple of years, I’ve branched out into doing national level Catholic events,” he says. He performed at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Canada.

“The contemporary Catholic music market is in its infancy,” says Thompson. “Protestant denominations are very formed at bringing in artists to perform. Catholics are still relatively young at inviting artists into the church.

“The exciting thing about Disciple Records is that we’re all part of a team,” Thompson concludes. “Nobody is trying to push into the wilderness on his or her own. We are working together to help each other become better artists.”

For booking information, call (412) 851-1430. To order music or listen to music samples, visit www.disciplerecords.com . To download images, posters and a biography of this artist, please vist our Booking/Contact Info page.