Jubilee! Jackson Arts and Music (JAM) Foundation honored Dr. Russell Thomas, Jr. in a commemorative painting, titled "The Rehearsal" for the 1997 Jubilee! JAM Arts and Music Festival. The Jubilee! JAM Foundation commissioned nationally known artist P. Sanders McNeal to paint the portrait (oil painting) of Dr. Thomas playing the alto saxophone. The original portrait was donated to the City of Jackson by the Jubilee! JAM Foundation to represent "The Arts" in Jackson, Mississippi. The portrait "The Rehearsal" has been given a permanent place to hang in Thalia Mara Hall (City Auditorium), 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, Mississippi.