Shardé Thomas facts for kids

Shardé Thomas (born January 1990 in Mississippi, United States) is an American musician. She plays the fife, which is a small flute. Shardé is famous for continuing a special kind of music called "fife and drum blues." This music tradition is very old and important in American history. She is the granddaughter of Othar Turner, who started the famous Rising Star Fife and Drum Band. Shardé even plays a fife that she made herself from a cane!

Shardé Thomas: A Young Musician

Shardé Thomas is a talented fife player. She helps keep a unique American music style alive. This style is called fife and drum blues. It comes from the Mississippi Delta region. Shardé learned this music from her family. Her grandfather, Othar Turner, was a very important musician in this tradition.

What is Fife and Drum Blues?

Fife and drum blues is a special type of music. It uses fifes (flutes) and drums. It has deep roots in African rhythms. These rhythms mixed with American blues music. It's a lively and rhythmic style. It often sounds like a parade or a celebration.

Shardé's Musical Journey

Shardé's grandfather, Othar Turner, was a well-known fife player. He was featured in a TV series called The Blues in 2003. This series showed how his music connected African rhythms to American blues. Sadly, Othar Turner passed away in 2003. He was supposed to record music for an album called Mississippi to Mali.

Shardé, who was only 12 years old at the time, stepped in. She recorded for the album in her grandfather's place. This was a big moment for her. It showed her talent and dedication to the music.

Performing for Audiences

Since then, Shardé has performed at many important events. In 2003, her band played at the South by Southwest Music Festival. This is a very popular music event. In 2008, she performed in "The Heritage Project" in New York City. The next year, in 2009, she played at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. These performances helped share fife and drum blues with more people.

Her Recordings

Shardé Thomas has also recorded music on several albums. Here are some of the albums she has been a part of:

• 2003: Goin' Over The Hill – with Willy Deville Acoustic Trio
• 2003: Mississippi To Mali – this was the album she recorded for after her grandfather's passing
• 2010: Hill Country Hoodoo – with The Jake Leg Stompers
• 2010: What Do I Do? (CD Baby)

Shardé Thomas continues to play and share her music. She is an important part of keeping the fife and drum blues tradition alive for new generations.