Barbria Pays Tribute to a Legendary Family Member.
~A few years ago, someone in Atlanta asked me if I knew who the best classic jazz pianist in Chicago was. I
jokingly replied, "I don't know, it's probably one of my cousins." He scoffed and said, "Yeah Right." He then said,
" Her name is Earma Thompson." I laughed and said, "Her name is Earma Jean Thompson, and she is my cousin. "
~Earma Jean Thompson was born March 25, 1923 in Chicago to Verland and Mamie Grant. Verland Grant was
my Grandfather (Garland's) Brother. My Mom and Earma are first cousins therefore Earma and I were second
cousins.
~Earma Jean was an only child. My Mother is the baby of 9 and last born of her generation. I am the baby of
the baby. Therefore, I am the very last born of the second generation of Grants'.
~Now granted, Earma and I were generations apart however, as far back as I can remember; I had a true
appreciation for her work. Even before I could dedicate it to memory it sunk in. Every time my sisters and I
(the Haynes Sisters) would sing. It always seemed my family knew the lady on the piano, who was jamming.
I later learned this woman was our cousin, Earma Jean.
~As the Haynes Sisters grew older our dimensions changed a bit. LuSonya became an evangelist and would no
longer sing secular music. Jasmine and Tammy were students at Carver Area High School and wanted to sing in
the Talents Shows and around Chicago. They needed a third on vocals. So they began taking me out of the
4th grade to sing with them. We usually won and were even approached by Motown for a record deal. My mom
felt I was way too young to be thrust into the music industry so it never happened. However, I just learned that
all of the vocal arrangements and the musical director for all those shows we won was cousin Earma.
~As I grew older and began singing solo around Chicago, I met a drummer at a club I sneaked into. After
being invited back I later learned that I had just sung with my cousin. The drummer was, Terry Thompson,
Earma Jean's son.
~Just prior to my moving to Atlanta, I had the opportunity to do a New Years Eve gig with Earma. It was
at that moment the generations were transcended by Jazz. She played, I sang and we jammed.
~During Earma's life she sang in a choir with Dorothy Donegan, married Marshall Thompson, famed drummer,
who toured with Duke Ellington. She played for Barack and Michelle Obama's wedding, received several lifetime
achievement awards, played with artists, such as Joe Williams, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and her baby cousin
Barbria DeĆnne. I, for one, am extremely proud.
~ Thank you Cousin Earma. God Bless You.
Earma Jean Grant Thompson
March 25, 1923 - July 14, 2009
