Dr. Phil Thompson started his career focusing on his education, receiving degrees from East Carolina University (B.M.E), University of Michigan (M.M. Multiple Woodwinds), and the University of North Texas (D.M.A. Multiple Woodwinds).

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For over 47 years, Dr. Thompson entertained audiences and educated students through music.  As a gifted and talented musician, he performed hundreds of concerts and jazz clinics on high school and university campuses throughout the United States and Europe. Dr. Thompson performed in concert or on tour with artists including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Clark Terry, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Harry Connick, Jr., Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, Martina McBride, Barry Manilow, Linda Ronstadt, Dionne Warwick, Frankie Valli, The Temptations and the Four Tops (European tours), The Spinners, Andy Williams, Wayne Newton, Bob Hope and the orchestras of Glen Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey,  and countless others.  He also served for over 40 years as saxophonist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

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As a multiple woodwinds specialist, Dr. Thompson performed with Broadway national tours such as Mean Girls, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Mermaid, Motown the musical, Beautiful the Carole King Musical, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Kinky Boots, Shrek, Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Spamalot, Hairspray, 42nd Street, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Radio City Rockettes, South Pacific, Anastasia, and many more.

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Additionally, Dr. Thompson served many years as the musicians’ contractor for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

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Since residing in Greeneville, Tennessee, Dr. Thompson was an original member of the Tusculum University Community Band and served as adjunct professor of woodwinds at Tusculum University until he became ill.  He also served on the board of the newly formed Tusculum Community Band Association.

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He was also honored as a Tusculum University Golden Lantern recipient for “providing guidance and direction – a point of light in a time of need, a beacon of help and hope to the students at Tusculum University”.