Born and raised in Peoria, Brianna Thomas grew up surrounded by music. Her father, Charlie Thomas, not only influenced her with his own unique talents as a vocalist and percussionist, he created an exceptionally well-rounded musical environment that fostered Brianna’s emerging abilities. At the tender age of six, Brianna made her singing debut performing a duet rendition of the jazz classic, “What A Wonderful World,” with her father. At the age of eight, she won her first of 13 trophies from various district and regional talent shows. Between the ages of eight and ten, she had her first gigs performing for a variety of banquets and black tie affairs and as a guest on local radio stations. Brianna’s extensive list of stateside performances includes appearances with Fred Anderson, Von Freeman, Houston Person, and the Barber Brothers. She has performed across the country from New Orleans to Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center. In 2001, Thomas was awarded “High School Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by Downbeat Magazine. Notably, Brianna Thomas is the youngest person ever to be inducted into Peoria’s African-American Hall of Fame at the age of thirteen in 1996. She has also received a certificate of excellence from the State of Illinois in recognition of her musical accomplishments.