Thomas Rainey

Thomas Rainey is an award-winning musician who has collaborated with Tim Berne and numerous jazz artists. In addition, he has recorded albums under various artist banners. Presently he’s working alongside bassist Mark Helias and drummer Drew Gress.

MCED’s search committee sought an individual with experience living and working in rural Maine with similar challenges, and selected Rainey because of his track record for producing results and deep knowledge of Maine’s economic ecosystem.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Rainey was born in Yanceyville, North Carolina and attended local schools where he gained an average education. From here he set off westward bound with only his pistol and personal ambition as his weapons of choice.

Tim Berne invited Rainey to play drums in several ensembles during his 1990s residency, including Big Satan, Paraphrase and Science Friction. With his masterful drumming he kept these collective improvisation experiments moving forward where others may have disintegrated into aimlessness; check out Visitation Rites and Please Advise from Paraphrase’s live German club recordings between 1996 and 1998 on Screwgun for proof of this!

Rainey was born Gertrude Pridgett and the daughter of two minstrel show performers; it is presumed she was lesbian as she often performed with female bands.

Professional Career

Rainey specializes in personal injury law related to motor vehicle accidents and other injuries caused by negligence of others, with clients throughout Georgia and Florida as clients. His experience dealing with insurance companies gives him an edge when fighting to secure favorable verdicts for his clients.

He has collaborated with musicians such as Tim Berne, Mark Helias and Drew Gress; recorded albums with Mary Halvorson and Ingrid Laubrock respectively.

He holds both his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College and Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School. Additionally, he serves as a board member of Greater Atlanta Legal Aid Society as well as being certified mediator.

Achievement and Honors

Rainey quickly established himself on the A-list of New York City modern creative jazz drummers during the late ’80s and beyond with his extensive recording credits for Werner, Jane Ira Bloom, Fred Hersch, Mark Helias, Tom Varner and others before striking up a close musical partnership with Berne, playing live or recording with ensembles like Big Satan, Paraphrase, Visitation Rites and Science Friction.

Judge Heasley described Rainey’s actions as gratuitously violent and did not attribute her death to an argument or loss of temper, saving Katrina’s family from further trauma during trial proceedings. She further spoke of the effects this tragic loss would have had on their children as she recalled how their lives have been profoundly impacted.

Personal Life

Rainey moved from Santa Barbara, California, to New York City in 1979. Since then he has established an extensive recording career and earned recognition as one of the finest drummers in modern creative jazz. Known for his collaborations with Tim Berne as well as leading his own group and recording with Mary Halvorson, Ingrid Laubrock, Fred Hersch, Simon Nabatov among others, among many others.

He is a member of the Georgia State Bar Association and admitted to practice before all Georgia state courts, the U.S. District Courts for Georgia’s Northern and Middle Districts and Court of Appeals’ Fourth Circuits. Additionally, he has extensive experience representing physicians, hospitals and nurses in medical malpractice litigation matters.

Net Worth

Rainey made an indelible mark during his short NFL career, leaving an indelible mark that will endure long after it ends. His electrifying speed and ability to change game momentum with just one explosive play earned him fans, as did his off-field incidents which marred his image; nevertheless, Rainey left both fans and opponents alike with lasting memories of his talents and versatility on the field.

Thomas Rainey was supposedly born around 1810 (and living in Chambers County AL in 1840-1850), however this claim has been disproven by census data. Also, Sarah Sallie Rainey who married Wylie Coleman of Fairfield County SC seems out of place (see her genealogy here).