THOMAS AND THOMAS

BLUES RIVIERA draws its name from the Swiss Riviera, the iconic region of Montreux where the career of bluesman Earl Thomas truly took off. It was here, at 32 years old, that Earl performed for the first time at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. He returned to the stage four times over the years, with a career milestone in 2006 when he was invited as a special guest by blues legend BB King.

After traveling the globe multiple times, Earl Thomas met producer Thomas Molinas in San Francisco in 2020. Tom happened to live just a few kilometers from Montreux—is it a sign?

The two artists spent several days recording at the legendary Hyde Street Studio. From the very first session, an instant connection formed between the two musicians. Tom Molinas was 32 at the time, the same age as Earl during his debut—a powerful parallel that marked their journeys.

Over the next four years, the two artists collaborated remotely. Then, in 2024, Earl visited Tom in Montreux to record the song Goodbye, an emotionally charged track paying tribute to a loved one who passed away. In the music video, Earl spreads the ashes of the departed in Lake Léman, facing Montreux, thus closing a cycle of life and music.