Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas
Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas was an American alto saxophone player, flautist, and percussionist, who was a founding member of R&B/soul/funk Kool & the Gang, and one of the few members to remain with the band for over 50 years, from its foundation in 1964 into the 2020s.
Biography
Early life
Born in Orlando, Florida, like most of his founding bandmates, Thomas attended Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1964, Thomas—then only thirteen years old—co-founded Kool & the Gang with brothers Ronald Bell and Robert "Kool" Bell, and other friends.Kool & the Gang
Thomas "was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group" due to his fashion sense and "laid-back demeanor". In addition to his musicianship, Thomas was "master of ceremonies at the band's shows" and "the group's wardrobe stylist", as well as being responsible for the group's revenues, which carried "in a paper bag in the bell of his horn". In the late 1980s, the group had discussed pursuing solo projects, with Thomas suggesting the band had considered splitting into twos or threes for various projects.In 2024, Thomas was posthumously selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Kool & the Gang.