11 Facts About Lucky Thompson

Eli "Lucky" Thompson was an American jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist whose playing combined elements of swing and bebop.

Lucky Thompson was born in Columbia, South Carolina and moved to Detroit, Michigan during his childhood.

Lucky Thompson had to raise his siblings after his mother died, and he practiced saxophone fingerings on a broom handle before acquiring his first instrument.

Lucky Thompson joined Erskine Hawkins' band in 1942 upon graduating from Cass Technical High School.

Lucky Thompson recorded with Parker and on Miles Davis's hard bop Walkin' session.

Lucky Thompson recorded albums as leader for Disques Vogue, ABC Paramount and Prestige and as a sideman on records for Savoy Records with Jackson as leader.

Lucky Thompson was strongly critical of the music business, later describing promoters, music producers and record companies as "parasites" or "vultures".

Lucky Thompson taught at Dartmouth College in 1973 and 1974, then completely left the music business.

Acquaintances reported that Lucky Thompson was homeless by the early 1990s, and lived as a hermit.

Lucky Thompson died from Alzheimer's disease in an assisted living facility on July 30,2005.

Lucky Thompson was married to Thelma Lucky Thompson, who died in 1963.