Claude Rhea Thomas Claude Rhea, stage name of Claude Rhea Thomas, connoisseur of life and music, transitioned Friday, October 17, 2008 in Naples, Florida from a brain aneurysm at age 64. The renowned and beloved self-taught musician was an accomplished jazz pianist, composer, and arranger who began to hone his keyboarding genius at an early age.

Well Seasoned is the name of his most famous CD, where his compositions flowed from a well-nurtured spice of life, harmoniously blended with many musical and innovative experiences-a gift to himself and to his listeners.

Born in Jesup, Georgia to Will and Etta Mae Thomas, Claude Rhea, his parents, and his younger sister, Saralyn, moved to Savannah and melded into a flourishing community of devoted friends and neighbors. He attended local schools and graduated from Sol C. Johnson in 1962, where his versatility became legend. His lean, tall physique earned him the nickname, Pound, as well as a place on the football team as a wide receiver. He scored the first touchdown ever made for the Atom Smashers.

When Claude Rhea was nine years old, his parents bought a piano for his sister. His mother realized his interest and taught him how to play Coon Shine Baby, and The Hucklebuck. Taking more than a passing interest, he taught himself how to play a few tunes that his mother hummed, the first of which was Yes, God is Real. He hung around the school's band room asking questions and learning skills from band director, Robert Spaulding Dilworth, himself, a multifaceted jazz musician. Dilworth and his protégé, Claude Rhea, formed the first jazz band at Johnson High.

He traveled with Willie "Mozzic" Williams, Jr,'s The Preacher and the Deacons, Matt Terrell's Combo, Teddy Adams, Willie Draper, Stubby Mitchell, Sonny Hawkins, Booby McMillan, Nubby Wright, and Leroy Ladson, to name a few. He studied chord changes with master instrumentalist, Thomas "Thurlow" Scott.

After having "gigged" with many local musicians, Claude Rhea decided to form his own quartet at age 19 with some of Savannah's best area artists: Kenny Alexander on saxophone, Danny Boozer on drums, and CeCe Elijah on vocals. He has accompanied other Savannah vocalists including the incomparable Lafayette Chester, and the late, great Stella Hines. He was the opening artist for such notables as "Pig Meat" Markham of Open the Door Richard fame, Dee Dee Clark, the Drifters, and Jimmy Hendrix.

He was married to Risco "Polly" Thomas-Faulk, and subsequently to the late Lucille "Coota" Whitener- Thomas. He leaves to mourn his passing a loving mother, Mrs. Etta Mae Thomas- Murphy of Hazlehurst, GA; two heartbroken sisters, Saralyn Thomas Ferguson of Conyers, GA, and Muriel Bedgood of Savannah; two brothers-in-law, Harry Lee Ferguson, and Pulley Bedgood, both of Savannah; one uncle, Rev. Johnny M. Blair of Hazlehurst, and a host of cousins, family, and loyal friends.

The joys of his life were his seven children: Bernard, Syrena, Kianga, Kia, Stephen, Nya, and Ferrard; his four adoptive and wonderful children, Angela, Marilyn, Barbara (deceased), and Carolyn; his two nephews, Harold Rhea Ferguson, and Ronald Lamar Ferguson; and his twenty-five grandchildren, and ten great-grand children

Memorial Services for Claude Rhea Thomas will take place Sunday, November 16, 2008, at Second Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah, 744 E. Waldburg Street at 12 noon. The Rev. Frank Ellis is Pastor.

Following the service, a Here's to Life - A Jammin' Concert Celebration in memory of Claude Rhea, will take place at The Hilton Garden Inn-Savannah Midtown, 5711 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA from 2-5 pm, Sunday, November 16, The public is enthusiastically invited.