Connell Thompson Sax

Booking Connell Thompson you can expect a high-energy and versatile performance from Connell Thompson. Here's what to anticipate:
Diverse Repertoire: He's known for seamlessly transitioning between various genres, including jazz, pop, R&B, and even Afrobeats.
Professionalism: With years of experience performing at diverse events, he brings a professional and polished approach to every engagement.
Creating the Perfect Ambiance: Connell focuses on tailoring his performance to the specific event, whether it's creating a sophisticated atmosphere or getting the party started.
Memorable Experience: Expect a captivating performance that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

My first sax blew bubbles. As I watched those notes drift gently away on the wind, I hoped that someday I would make music that would lift the spirit, soothe the soul, connect people to one another, and make booties bounce.

Connell Thompson is a NYC based saxophonist and serial viral performer. His silky tone, soulful chops, and high energy performances have made him a staple in the New York and international music scene.

With bright red hair, engaging dance moves, and a signature sound, he immediately turns any performance into an unforgettable experience. Connell started out playing clarinet in middle school, but quickly took up the saxophone in high school so as to join the jazz band, He went to NYU to continue to study music, earning his Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance in 2010. Since then he has played all over and under NYC and around the world, starting in the parks and subways and making his way to international festival stages with some of today’s biggest artists. His style reflects his love and respect of different cultures, and is mixed with all kinds of sounds from Jazz to Ska to Motown to Balkan and Turkish to Afrobeats and Amapiano.

His renditions of Afrobeats and RnB hits gained him an enthusiastic following both in the New York subways and on social media. His first viral video, performing in Union Square NYC in 2018, gained millions of views and was reposted by legend Snoop Dogg. He went viral again later that year, playing Runtown’s international hit “Mad Over You,” after which he was invited to perform in Lagos at the SoundGod festival. In 2020, he was reposted by The Shade Room for his joy inspiring performance at an outdoor graduation ceremony, during a time when so many were afraid to play. His fire escape fundraising concerts, inspired by the 7pm musical salutes to the Covid health care workers throughout city, have gotten coverage in NBC New York, NHK Japan Public TV, and The Gothamist, and reposted on the popular @whatisnewyork IG, receiving praise by artist Ella Mai for his band's cover of her song “Naked.”

He has performed worldwide with the band Kingsmen, touring with Nigerian and Ghanaian superstars Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Stonebwoy and many others. In 2023 he performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon with Asake and The Compozers in the Spring, and again in the Fall with Grammy nominated artist and Afrobeats Legend Davido. He has performed with eclectic groups and venues including BB KINGS and The Blue Note NYC with Motown band Decade of Soul, The Kennedy Center in Washington DC with classical/hip hop fusion group Shouthouse, The Otis Mountain Festival with his original Balkan party band Tipsy Oxcart.

His most recent Single “Done Done” with rapper Ilove919 is currently out on Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. He is also featured on Shouthouse’s 2023 releases “Evergreen” and “Shiny Objects.”