Internationally renowned jazz pianist Reggie Thomas will join ISU Jazz Ensemble One Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Hall Recital Hall.

The performance will be the first in a series of special guest residences in the Iowa State jazz program.

Originally from East St. Louis, Ill., Thomas is currently an associate professor of music at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

He prides himself as being “one of the most versatile and sought-after clinicians in the field of jazz education.”

Thomas explained his reasons for coming to ISU for the performance.

“It was a wonderful idea to come and do a week-long residency, rather than a one-hour clinic, which is what we usually do. We can fix a lot more in a week than we can in one hour,” Thomas said. “[ISU’s jazz program] has shown wonderful growth and progress.”

Thomas’ passion for jazz motivated him to become a jazz musician. “It was fate — destiny,” he said. “Seriously, the music itself, it compels you.”

Some of Thomas’ major influences are jazz legends Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, both of whom graduated from his same high school.

He has had several opportunities to perform with some of his boyhood heroes, such as trumpeter Terry Clark and Joe LaBarbera, who played with jazz pianist Bill Evans.

Thomas said performing with Evans was a very humbling experience and called him “possibly the greatest jazz pianist who ever lived.”

Several weeks ago, Thomas completed a tour of Poland. Some of the major stops along the tour were a jazz academy in Chozdiez and clubs in Warsaw and Poznin.

Due to the fact that he is a jazz professor, Thomas does not often perform on extended tours. However, he often takes short weekend trips and performs in guest artist appearances.

Friday’s concert will consist of songs by Jeff Tyzik, Tom Kubis, Philip DeGreg, Sammy Nestico and Charles Mingus. It also will feature solo piano highlights by Thomas.

There will be a greeting session with the musicians in the Green Room immediately following the performance. Thomas stressed that those who meet him on Friday should ask him about “Butter Man.”