Blues Musician. She was the daughter of barrelhouse pianist George W. Thomas Jr., and the niece of blues singer Sippie Wallace . She moved to Chicago with Sippie where they worked as a team. One of her first records, "Worried Down with the Blues," was a success. But her next recordings made with Louis Armstrong received unfavorable reviews that led many to believe her career was over. She did better in a trio session with Armstrong and her uncle Hersal Thomas, but Hersal died later that year. Hociel moved on to California where she recorded duets with Mutt Carey, then she joined with Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra. She might have had a lasting career but it ended when she was charged with murder after a deadly fight with her sister that also left her blinded. In jail for the duration of her trial, Thomas was eventually acquitted, only to die two years later.
Blues Musician. She was the daughter of barrelhouse pianist George W. Thomas Jr., and the niece of blues singer Sippie Wallace . She moved to Chicago with Sippie where they worked as a team. One of her first records, "Worried Down with the Blues," was a success. But her next recordings made with Louis Armstrong received unfavorable reviews that led many to believe her career was over. She did better in a trio session with Armstrong and her uncle Hersal Thomas, but Hersal died later that year. Hociel moved on to California where she recorded duets with Mutt Carey, then she joined with Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra. She might have had a lasting career but it ended when she was charged with murder after a deadly fight with her sister that also left her blinded. In jail for the duration of her trial, Thomas was eventually acquitted, only to die two years later.
Bio by: Elizabeth Reed
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