Billy is an integral member of seminal English Jazz/Rock outfit Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia with Jon Hiseman on drums. Billy has headlined twice at Ronnie Scott’s with Paraphernalia and toured Europe extensively featuring on 5 albums. 2008 also saw a very successful tour of Japan.

Performing in the Gypsy Jazz or ‘Hot Club’ style, Billy has performed with international guitarists Gary Potter, John Etheridge, Lollo Meier, Andreas Oberg, Martyn Taylor and Howard Alden amongst others…

Billy is probably best known in Wales for his work with Meic Stevens, and also with The Amigos performing regularly on record and live with both outfits since 1997.

More recently Billy co-wrote, produced, engineered and performed on his original band project called Amledd with singer/songwriter partner Rhian Williams.

After graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1995 Billy chose to concentrate more on Jazz becoming finalist in the Young Jazz Musician of the Year competitions of both ‘96 & ‘98, Billy has also played with many other artists in many different fields of music from performing with Jools Holland at St David’s Hall to featuring on a brand new concept album by Manfred Mann.

Billy was recently invited to perform in Swanage performing a World Première of a piece written by Mike Westbrook for String Orchestra, String Quartet, Piano & Improvising Violinist in which Billy largely had to improvise a concerto.

Billy has taught Jazz & Improvisation on the violin at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and in March 2002 he was invited to give a ‘Masterclass in Jazz and Improvisation on the Violin' at the Royal College of Music, London.

A live CD of Billy's latest gypsy line-up 'Billy Thompson Gypsy Style LIVE' is now available throughout Wales and features all the members of the quintet performing tonight.

This line-up is able to cater for all manner of events from functions to big music festivals and concert performances.

For further information about Billy and the bands he can provide visit www.billythompson.co.uk or email him direct using the address billy@billythompson.co.uk