BioJensen L. Thomassie (b. 2001) is a percussionist and composer currently based in Greenville, South Carolina. Thomassie is currently an undergraduate student at Furman University pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition and Percussion Performance. He has studied percussion under Omar Carmenates and Justin Watt and composition under Mark Kilstofte, Peter B. Kay, and Jay Bocook.
As a composer, Thomassie’s catalog includes over 30 works for brass quintet, percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, clarinet quartet, voice and piano, string quartet, guitar, and more. His music has been performed in the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. As a performer, Thomassie has played under Ret. Col. John R. Bourgeois, David Holsinger, Sue Samuels, Serena Weren, Jay Bocook, and Steven D. Davis. He has performed at the Percussive Arts Society National Convention with the Furman University Percussion Ensemble premiering Avian Telemetry by Matthew Burtner. He has also performed in the world premieres of John Psatha’s Koolish Zein and Ivan Trevino’s Trances. An active member of the pageantry arts, Thomassie has marched with the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, Furman University Paladin Regiment, and the New Orleans Saints Drumline, where he also served as a music writer and arranger. Thomassie currently serves as the Percussion Director at J.L. Mann High School in Greenville, SC. |