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Raised in Chicago, Tom comes from a home enriched with good music.His father John Sr., also a fine musician, played accordion for many years in a dance band, and continues to play at home, enjoying retirement. His older brother John Jr. is also a fine drummer and actor. With a variety of musical instruments to choose from, Tom started playing some gigs at an early age. Although he played drums, guitar, bass and organ, Tom's natural preference was always the piano.
John Sr. always played jazz records and favored those of Erroll Garner. Tom took to this music by osmosis and since that time, he has focused on the jazz idiom for nearly three decades. In his early twenties, Tom discovered Bill Evans, who in his evaluation, has forever changed the way jazz piano is played. After that important discovery, he got deeper into the possibilities of jazz piano. "I realized when I finally heard the music, that jazz was more than just music. It was a way of life and a philosophy with spiritual ramifications," says Tom.
In addition to Bill Evans, Tommy hails Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane as monumental influences. Some of his favorite pianists include Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Hank Jones, Barry Harris, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Steve Kuhn, Denny Zeitlin, Fred Hersch and his close friend John Campbell.
Tommy?s nationally distributed CD "It's (All) About Time", was recorded in 1998 with bassist David Marr and drummer Tim Davis. Special guest and friend Art Davis also plays flugelhorn and trumpet on four tracks. Denny Nowak of Denwa Records is the producer. The CD includes reworked standards and original compositions. Tom credits Johnny Mandel, Michelle LeGrand and Bill Evans as strong influences on his compositional abilities.
Tom has played with many "world class" jazz stars such as Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, Marvin Stamm, Bobby Ojeda, John Fedchock, Warren Kime, Mark Colby, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Ron Dewar, Mike Smith, Greg Fishman, Hinda Hoffman, Redd Holt, and the late Barrett Deems to name just a few.
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D E N W A Productions
Denny Nowak: President, Press & Radio Promotion
P.O. Box 34911 Chicago, IL 60634 773.777.1092
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