Sonny Thompson (1916–1989) was an American R&B pianist, bandleader, and songwriter whose work helped shape the postwar rhythm and blues sound. Rising to prominence in the late 1940s, he scored major hits with instrumentals like “Long Gone” and “Late Freight,” blending jump blues, jazz, and early rock influences. As a prolific composer and arranger, Thompson collaborated with leading artists of the era and contributed significantly to the King Records roster, leaving a lasting imprint on modern R&B and the evolution of American popular music.