From Yoko:

悪いお知らせです。ジャズ・ミー・ブルースのドラマー、が８月23日に亡くなりました。７６歳でした。 

ガンをやって、片肺と声帯がない状態のこの数年でしたがドラムはたたきつづけていました、２週間ほど前に衰弱して入院しましたが、今までも、もうだめだろう、といわれながらも回復したことが何度もあったため、今回も嫁さんと一緒に大丈夫だろうと話していました。フロリダのツアーから帰ってきて、この知らせを聞いて、信じられない気持ちです。

歩けない状態でもホットハウスにやってきて、ドラムをたたき続けてくれたフィル。トイレに行くのにも途中で何度も立ち止まって休まないとだめだったのに、ドラムの前に座ると、すごい演奏をしました。音楽にかける心意気とか、生きていく上でのたくましさとか、やさしさとか、いろいろ教えてくれたのがフィルでした。もう会えないというのが今でも信じられません。 

フィルの分まで、頑張って生きようと思います。

 -Yoko

Press release from HotHouse regarding the passing of Phil Thomas.
Tribute to Phil Thomas on JazzReview.com

Phil Thomas cuts a dashing figure perched astride his drummer's tool in his white cowboy hat. The otherwise unobtrusive timekeep is as reliable as a chronometric metronome, setting the pace for tunes like Cherry and I Want a Little Girl with a sedate, yet solid heartbeat. On Cherry his hands go one way while his head goes another in a swinging side-to-side counterpoint to his exquisite, bird-fluttering brush work.

Born in Chicago, Phil is an alumnus of DuSable High (as are guitarist George Freeman and fellow drummers Odie Payne and Gred Below -- all friends since their youth). While supporting his family at various endeavors including working as a deputy sheriff and police officer, he found time over the years to play with Memphis Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Muddy Waters, Zoot Sims, Al Gray, Sonny Stitt, Wayne Bennett, and he spent more than a decade as a member of the Johnny Young Trio.

Phil has provided the beat behind the blues on the recordings of such artists as Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, J.T. Brown, Jody Williams, JImmy Reed; and on the soul and jazz recordings of Jerry Butler, Ramsey Lewis and others -- playing congas as well as the full drum kit. Along with bandmates Sonny Seals and John Watson, Phil was a member of "The Legends" of Fantasy Lounge renown.

Highlights of this career include working with Ike Cole and the Cole Brohters, a barnstorming stint in the '50s with Preston Love's Northwest Territory band, two amazing weeks at The Beaucoup Club on North Broadway with Billie Holiday, and tours with Charles Brown and Jimmy Reed. However of his 1998 tour of Japan with Clark and Yoko he emphatically states, "That was the best road trip I ever had."