Chris
...or Dr Chris Dench, as he is known to the wider world, began working in record retail in '72 and moved to Australia in '89, and Melbourne in '94. He is the composer of more than 60 densely modernist musical works that have been performed, recorded, and broadcast in Europe, the US, Asia and, to a lesser degree, Australia. He is particularly known for his solo woodwind, percussion, piano, and guitar works, but has also written four symphonies, ensemble and chamber works, and even an organ piece: compostela/finisterre. His works have been released on many CDs including portrait discs on the Etcetera (Amsterdam), NMC (London), and Tzadik (New York) labels. As well as teaching composition, writing widely on music, and reviewing CDs, he has worked for several years in each of copyright licensing, book retail, callcentres, and the Australian Taxation Office.
Christine
As a staff member of 30+ years, I have heard much, much, much. My first connection with Thomas' was as a mail order customer in the country, grateful when my requests were tracked down and arrived in the mailbox. Over the years I've gained an appreciation of anything from Monteverdi to Messiaen. Desert island composers would include Vaughan Williams, Debussy, Ravel for starters. There are so many fine performers that have been role models, for instance, the Chopin piano playing of Claudio Arrau to the jazz pianists Dudley Moore, Tony Gould; classical voices of Cathy Berberian, Lucia Popp, Robert Gard; operas of Britten, Janacek, Puccini, R.Strauss; in the jazz world Cleo Laine & John Dankworth to Mark Murphy, Janel Seidel. Then there is Petula, Dusty, and the Kransky Sisters! This is but a small sample from an extensive list in the wide world of music, I could go on... I've also seen a lot of opera, theatre, musicals, ballet, concerts and films. Outside of music, my specialist subject is motional improvisation... which is really music of the body. Oh andcatoftheday.com & dailypuppy.com are regular diversions
Dawn
Dawn has been at Thomas' for 13 years. She studied Piano (badly) for many years but really came to Classical Music via Ballet. While managing the shop part-time Dawn has a Bed & Breakfast in Maldon which she operates with her husband on the weekends. www.wywurri.com
Gerry
A jazz nutter! Discovered the devil's music at an early age and never listened to commercial radio since! From Armstrong to Zorn, he revels in it. When not in the shop, he lurks in the corridors of ABC Classic FM on Friday nights, slipping into the studio to present Jazz Up Late at 10:30. His interests also extend to classical and world music. For more about Gerry and his show, visit: www.abc.net.au/classic/jazzuplate/.
Joseph
Although a recent arrival at Thomas', Joseph has worked in the record industry for more than two decades, working at Allan's Music, Discurio, HMV, JB HiFi, Pet Sounds, Polygram Records, and Readings in Hawthorn, all in the Melbourne area. His roles have included being a classical, world and jazz record buyer, artist promotion, and department management for record shops; his activities outside work include would-be bluegrass guitarist, and coffee enthusiasm, and he can be found at a cinema at some point during most days of the week. He brings to Thomas' a wide range of experience and knowledge of the classical and jazz genres, but he is particularly interested in all things pertaining to Spain.
Matt
Matt is studying for a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne. Having studied violin for 10 years, he saw the light and switched to the viola during his time at university, and is a regular starter for theorchestra and chamber orchestra at Melbourne University. His main interest though is chamber music and has performed across Melbourne in a variety of ensembles, most frequently in a clarinet-viola-piano trio. Matt is always happy to discuss string repertoire, chamber music and anything to do with the Flight of the Conchords. Outside of music, Matt is perpetually aware of the state of play in the cricket.
Matt is available for orchestral work as a freelance violist, as a viola teacher and also plays in a string quartet that can cater for weddings and private functions. He can be contacted at matt.laing1010@gmail.com.
Peter
Born in Melbourne on 15 October 1954 to Polish-German delicatessen-running parents, Peter Bakowski fell in love with the map of the world at the age of six.
By the time he was eighteen Peter owned a thousand LPs, mainly jazz.
In 1978 he opened EXPOSURE RECORDS in Cotham Road, Kew, selling the business three years later to go travelling for seven years.
Upon returning to Melbourne, Peter worked at the legendary GASLIGHT RECORDS at 85 Bourke Street for sixteen years. Upon its closure he commenced employment at Thomas'.
Peter's primary area of musical appreciation is jazz and he has been recommending essential, influential and accessible jazz recordings to music store customers for over two decades.
Peter has been writing poetry for twenty-seven years, has four nationally-distributed books to his credit. His volume, 'In the human night' won the Victorian Premier's Award for Poetry.
Over the few years he has specialized in giving poetry readings in private houses to groups of eight or more throughout Australia and overseas. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Peter via his email address pbakowski@yahoo.com
Phil
Phillip has worked at Thomas' Music for 3 years so far. His musical pursuits have included study in Australia and overseas in conducting and clarinet. He has a bachelor of music performance from V.C.A in conducting and a bachelor of arts from University of Melbourne majoring in philosophy and social theory. His particular musical interest is for contemporary repertoire with favourites being Elliott Carter and Harrison Birtwistle. Other than this he enjoys cycling, cooking, is partial to the odd book and has an ill advised interest in contemporary French philosophy.
