Dom Thomas

KING, Inspired by Nat King Cole

Tom Rolla’s Gardenia, West Hollywood, CA, April 28, 2016

Reviewed by Mary Bogue for Cabaret Scenes

Dom Thomas opened his premiere cabaret show talking about his love for the family he left in St. Louis, coming west to make his mark in Hollywood.

With a rough start on “Sweet Lorraine” (Cliff Burwell/Mitchell Parish), he and his pianist Clifton Williams began again, tentatively. Referencing his admiration for Nat King Cole’s role in the civil rights movement, the very loose storytelling missed the opportunity to educate his millennial audience.

“(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons” (Ivory “Deek” Watson/William “Pat” Best) gave a glimpse into Thomas’s potential as a crooner, with nice and easy phrasing. Without missing a beat, and grasping a drink, he segued into “The Way You Look Tonight” (Dorothy Fields/Jerome Kern). The medley became more up tempo, and Thomas seemed more at ease. In “You Send Me” (Sam Cooke), it became apparent that as lovable as he is, Thomas will benefit from mentors who teach mic technique, tighten patter, and strengthen audience connection. Thankfully, this charming 26-year-old has plenty of time to hone his skills and, when that happens, he has the potential to be a formidable singer.

Singing a cappella to “It’s Not for Me to Say” (Robert Allen/Al Stillman), he disclosed, “I like to mess with the people in the audience,” and then surprisingly fetched an audience member into the spotlight, while his pianist ignored them, bowing his head to scroll through his cell phone.

Thomas regained his audience when committed to the lyrics in two of his original songs, and a found a sweet spot in “When I Fall in Love” (Victor Young/Edward Heyman).

Given a director, mentor and voice coach, Dom Thomas could one day realize his dreams: “I want to be the black Michael Bublé.” His grandfather’s advice rings true: “Go back and visit what you missed…and follow your dreams.”