Author: Thompson Alchemists

Born and raised in the Midwest, and currently living in Brooklyn, NY, bassist and arranger Larry Cook has made his versatility and passion for all styles of music his calling card. Steeped heavily in jazz, bluegrass, rock, and soul, his voracious appetite for learning about new sounds lends itself well to bringing heart and authenticity to any project with which he is involved.

We were so happy to have Larry play at the Thompson Street Medicine Show 5/22/18

Just as sure as there’s chitlin cooking in the hills of Cheetham County, West Virginia, there’s bluegrass music playing all around the boroughs of New York City. Notably on historic Thompson Street where our gang of illustrious musicians were joined by Trip Henderson on harmonica. As a teen, Trip left the New Jersey suburbs for the hills of Morgantown, Tennessee learning a vast range of genres through experience. His story can be told by the stickers that cover his worn beige hard-leather harmonica case, which plainly log an exhausted dedication to authenticity obvious to any observer.

The Thompson Street Medicine Show is a community event designed to enhance the overall wellbeing of those around us.

Phyllis Elkind (Manhattan)
Phyllis’ early influences were the Weavers and Pete Seeger, and the weekly ‘hootenanny’ at her high school. She has worked as a music teacher for children and taught members of pre-teen rock bands. Phyllis was lead singer in the country Western dance band, “Midnight Rodeo”, and is the founder of the ever popular, “Freddie and the Drumsticks”, a women’s rock band. She plays guitar in Triboro and her first and remaining love is singing harmony.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Matt Quinones is a local with a taste for traditional American roots music. Matt is a regular at the Thompson Street Medicine Show playing stand-up acoustic bass and is a frequent member of New York City’s bluegrass, country scene.

Matt is seasoned in orchestral playing in both concert settings and musical theater, with a degree in music performance from New Jersey City University. Matt’s style is well-rounded, comfortable with jazz, funk, hip hop, R&B, country, bluegrass and classical bass playing.

When he’s not rockin’ it out,  he is teaching in and around the Jersey City area where he is available to teach Bass Guitar as well as lessons in Double Bass, Keyboard, Mandolin, Music Theory, Piano and Upright Bass.

Kathryn Minogue sings with spirit and soul throughout New York City’s country, bluegrass, folk music circles. You can often catch her among other young musicians playing with the Greenwich Village old stager Robert Saidenberg, better known as Sheriff Bob. The rotating polished gang of musicians can be seen on Broadway at Opry City Stage, Zinc Bar, Mona’s Bar N.Y.C. and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings at the Thompson Street Medicine Show

Thompson Street Medicine Show is a community event hosted by Thompson Alchemists.

We hope y’all enjoy the video and we invite you to experience our unique approach to wellness. Hope to see you soon.

Sincerely ,

The entire Thompson Team

Written and preformed by Dolly Parton, the song “Jolene” has made her an icon in country music. The singer’s voice releases a unfamiliar feeling that is found accidentally as her most fragile fears become inevitable.

“Jolene, Jolene, JO-LEnE !”
~ a plea transmitted through a voice that is far from fragile.

The comparison made with the infamous Jolene describes a vulnerability, yet there is an in·vol·un·tar·y release of strength, beauty and confidence; the dominant traits of greatness. The singer may sing of being helpless yet the emotion transmits a tired, challenged soul echoing a plea that is wailing, not crying.

Mary Gipe’s performance of “Jolene” with the mega talented bunch at the Thompson Street Medicine Show on June 12th 2018 was outstanding. The fear of being inferior while the singer’s voice shows the ability to compete with what she is faced with. Thank you all for coming and enjoying our tiny contribution to community wellbeing.

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The Thompson Street Medicine Show is a community event designed to enhance the overall wellbeing of those around us. Our world is evolving on a macro and micro scale. As the macro scale continues to turn the wheels of progress, the micro scale involves the local wellbeing of communities in our modern society. The two are entangled, yet both can loose sight of each other: allowing one scale to be unnoticed.
In regards to healthcare, nobody can dispute the benefits of technology’s advancements research and development, or argue the value of progression. In-vivo interactions are still vital in “nature.” There are benefits in wellness that remain random and unique to the moment they are in. Being microscopic in comparison to the macro world, the benefits of individual local interactions with others during a time of progress can often go unnoticed. In order for both to continue to enhance our lives, the perspectives both must be closely examined.
Thompson Chemists has been providing the Soho and South Greenwich Village community with hard to find products and real, caring service since 1994. Thompson Alchemists opened in the fall of 2010. The owners, Gary and Jolie Alony, bring together the perfect blend of utility and elegance, which has caught the attention of national and international publications including Vogue, Elle, and Time Out New York.