tˈɑːmpsən wʌzɐ mjuːzˈɪʃən baɪ tɹˈeɪd, bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ hɪz kɚɹˈɪɹ æz ɐ dɹˈʌmɚ bᵻfˌoːɹ bᵻkˈʌmɪŋ ɐ tˈɑːp kˈɑːnsɚt kˈɔːɹnɪtˌɪst.
Thompson was a musician by trade, beginning his career as a drummer before becoming a top concert cornetist.