Jimmy Thomas was Born in the U.S.A. in the deep south around the Memphis area. A little town name Osceola, on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi River. Raised by his uncle and aunt he was brought up on a musical diet of records by Big Maceo, Waiter Davis, Tampa Red, Sonny Boy Williamson etc. as well as hearing many of the local blues artists including Albert King, then still known as Albert Nelson. Forming a band of his own whilst still in his early teens and performing current popular vocal group and blues material, they played many of the local clubs in and around Osceola.

After graduating from high school & upon the recommendation of the great Albert King, Jimmy joined the extremely popular St. Louis based band of Ike Turner's called 'Ike Turner and the Kings

Of Rhythm', in early 1958. Closely followed by Tommy Hodge, the pair were a replacement for the recently departed Clayton Love. This was also around the same time Tina joined the group.

It was a time of a great deal of recording activity for Ike and the 'Kings' and also the start of a change in Ike Turner's musical direction. Present at the now historic Cobra sessions in Chicago, and the vocalist on the wonderfully bizarre 'Jack Rabbit' on Stevens, Jimmy was to remain with Ike for eight years. From a popular local band through the early Ike & Tina Turner days on the chitlin' circuit, until they became one of the top R&B acts in the country. 

After their first recording together as Ike & Tina Turner which was a massive hit, they formed what became The Ike & Tina Turner Revue, with Jimmy and the Ikettes as featured acts.

He recorded a lot, “Just Trying to Please You”, “The Darkest Hour”, “Feel So Good” “Hang Right On In There” and many more great songs.

Jimmy has also recorded with lots of other artist as well such as John Lennon, Gary Moore, Madness, The Rolling Stones and more.

Since settling in London in 1969 he has a handful of singles and an album on Contempo behind him and currently a fine soul single on his own label, Osceola Records.