R&B/jazz singer‑songwriter and drummer Arthur Thompson will release his new album, Keep On Dreaming: Arthurized Volume 1, on March 20. The ten‑song collection blends soulful storytelling with Thompson’s mission‑driven artistry, offering messages of optimism, empowerment, mental‑health awareness, and support for people battling cancer.
Thompson’s new single, an uplifting, up‑tempo reimagining of Roberta Flack’s “I Needed You” features Billboard hitmaker Peter White, whose signature nylon‑string guitar illuminates the groove. The single that Flack penned for the 1981 feature film Bustin’ Loose has begun its ascent of the Billboard chart.
“There was a scene in the movie starring Cicely Tyson and Richard Pryor where the characters locked eyes and this beautiful song began playing. At that time, I knew nothing about falling in love, but I felt something during that scene and the music stuck with me. The movie was about helping a group of children that the state wrote off. Fast forward, I never thought that I would grow to help children in need,” said Thompson, who founded Build A Life, Save A Life, the nonprofit home to the Math & Music and Drums Speak programs created to unite music and education for children.
Over the last few years, Thompson has released six singles featuring some of the luminaries he performs with: White, Mindi Abair, Dave Koz, Marcus Anderson, Tom Braxton, Erin Stevenson, and The Boneshakers. On his own records, Thompson also sings, using his silky tenor vocals to deliver impactful tales, inspirational messages, and stories of love and connection.
Thompson opens Keep On Dreaming with “Smile,” a 2023 single featuring Abair on saxophone. It’s a love song that Thompson wrote for the woman in his life he calls his muse. Next comes the album’s title track, which will be released as a single in May.
“Keep on dreaming, dream big, dream forever, dream beyond what you can imagine. Don’t stay in your state of discouragement. Keep believing and absolutely never give up!” enthused Thompson.
Thompson sings, scats, drums, and adds African percussion to the vivid “Oasis,” another joyous song originally recorded by Flack.
“‘Oasis’ transports you to a place where you feel safe, encouraged, and loved. It describes a longing for that special someone, a feeling of complete peace when you are apart because of the confidence you have in knowing that they will return to you. I always thought ‘Oasis’ was a beautiful song, and it has African undertones with the rhythms and drums. If you listen closely, you will hear that influence with my African Djembe, Sangban, Kenkeni, and Dununba drums,” said Thompson, who released his version as a single two years ago.
A songwriting session with bassist Cortez Johnson and pianist Fred Smith resulted in “Missing My Father,” which was released as a single in 2023. It’s a poignant tribute brought to life by Thompson’s vulnerable yet commanding voice, Smith’s piano artistry, and Ron Reinhart’s dramatic strings.
The mood instantly shifts to uplift on “I’m Free,” an instrumental single released last year featuring Braxton’s impassioned saxophone. Thompson sings the chorus gleefully flanked by powerhouse vocalist Stevenson.
“I had been going through some personal things that had me depressed and second guessing myself. Through meditation and prayer, I began to break through. I was able to see myself, understand my worth, and believe that all things are possible if you believe in yourself. ‘I’m Free’ is a self-awareness, feelgood song. It’s about learning to be happy with yourself, learning to walk in your own shoes, being unapologetic about who you are, and the things that you have overcome,” said Thompson, a Tulsa, Oklahoma native who lives in Nashville.
“We Can BEAT Cancer” is a deeply personal song that Thompson wrote when some of the women he’s closest to were diagnosed with breast cancer, including his sister, best friend, and the mother of his daughter. Koz and Stevenson guest on this vintage seventies R&B joint designed to encourage and create awareness of the plight that women face.
“My kind words and prayers help but I must do more to help. Millions of dollars have been raised to help with the research for a cure, but the cure remains elusive. All I can do is continue to help the research go forward and inform women about the need to have a mammogram. ‘We Can BEAT Cancer’ is my way to show that I care and that I am going to do what I can to help find a way to beat cancer without surgeries or chemotherapy,” said Thompson.
“Show Me” is a rumination about the shortcomings of a relationship based on appearance and attention. Thompson wrote the intense R&B-rocker “Where Are You Now” after a breakup sent him into a dark downward spiral.
“It was a rough time for me. I wrote the song back when you didn’t hear much about mental health before social media or cell phones. I decided to tell my story through this song while encouraging people to seek help for mental health and depression. It’s okay not to be okay. I’ve had other challenges in my life since then and I’ve made the call for help. Please don’t suffer in silence. Seek help,” said Thompson, who released the track along with a video last May during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Thompson closes the album with “Teardrops,” leaving listeners with a message of self-love underscored by Anderson’s saxophone and flute.
“Just because a person decides not to be a part of your life doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of love. Sometimes the very person you need is right in front of you. You just have to step into the light of freedom,” urges Thompson.
Thompson debuted as a solo artist in 2020 with The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa album that celebrates African heritage, unity, and culture. His soulful blend of R&B and jazz forms the backdrop for his spiritually tinged stories. Thompson was named the Breakout Artist of the Year by the Smooth Jazz Network in 2023. His Arthurized brand spans music, education, books, and global humanitarian works. Thompson is committed to using music and his platform to foster healing, hope, and human connection. Project after project, he strives to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and to counteract the budget cuts in music education. Thompson has authored three books, authoring stories that reflect his belief in the power of family, imagination, and resilience.
Keep on Dreaming contains the following songs:
“Smile”
“Keep on Dreaming”
“Oasis”
“Missing My Father”
“I’m Free”
“I Needed You”
“We Can BEAT Cancer”
“Show Me”
“Where Are You Now”
“Teardrops”
For more information or to purchase Keep on Dreaming, visit www.arthurthompsondrums.com.
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