Biography
Tom has been a big part of the Houston music scene since 1967. During this time he has thrilled audiences not only in Houston, but in Europe and North America. In addition to vibes and drums he also plays congas, bongos, timpani, xylophone, chimes, marimba, bells, and various small percussion effects instruments.
Tom grew up in Kansas City, where at the age of 13 he discovered his love for drumming. He played his first gig as a drummer when he was 16, an exciting adventure for a young teenager.
Tom's formal training began at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he studied classical percussion, vibes, and drum set. Tom's love of Benny Goodman recordings with Lionel Hampton playing vibes piqued his interest. He saw vibes players on TV shows such as the Tonight Show, Ed Sullivan, Dianah Shore and Steve Allen having a great time. Vibes struck him as a classy, elegant instrument.
One day after his drum lesson at a local music store he saw a vibes set on display and decided to save for them. Soon Tom was the proud owner of a set of Jenco portable vibes. He began studying the vibes at the Conservatory when he was 18. His first steady gig on the vibes was at the "Hole in the Floor" in Kansas City at the age of 20. He spent his 20th birthday in a recording studio taping some of their tunes. At the Conservatory, the percussion instructor Charmaine Asher became Tom's mentor and cheerleader. He credits her with teaching him the importance of professionalism.
In 1967 Tom moved to Houston and began study at the University of Houston's School of Music. During this time while he was in school he started working as a drummer recording commercials and song writer demos, fulfilling a long standing dream.
As a percussion major he studied under David Wuliger, the timpanist with the Houston Symphony. Tom states that he was a fine teacher and a 'monster' percussionists. He felt that David nicely rounded out the education that he had received from Charmaine. Tom received his Bachelor of Music in 1969.
In the summer of 1968 Tom began working at Astro World Theme Park in Houston. Here he honed his drumming skills playing in several different situations from Marching band, Dixie Land to playing shows. For the 1970 season the park decided to form a Rock Band, reflecting the styles of Blood Sweat and Tears, and Chicago. Tom became the drummer for this group, thus becoming a member of the extremely popular Houston band Southwest Freeway. This notoriety raised Tom's profile and enabled him to play with many fine local and national players such as Peggy Lee, Freddy Hubbard, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Joe Williams and Carl Fontana.
Tom has recorded several CD's among them "Bonafide" with the wonderful L.A. Trombone player Bill Watrous, with the Bopmeisters on all of their CD's, with guitarist Scott Mochon on "Our World" and "Entrance" with Clayton Dyess on Guitar, Bill Murry on Bass, Tim Solook on Drums and Tom as the Headliner on Vibes.
In 1982 Tom began to tour internationally. He has since played the North Sea, Montreaux, Berlin, Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzburg festivals in Europe. In North America he has played Eureka Springs, L.A., Hot Springs, San Antonio, Houston, Kemah, University of Missouri at Kansas City, University of Houston, Dallas Arts and Mexico City Jazz Festivals.
Teaching has been an important part of Tom's career because Jazz is a musical tradition that needs to be passed on orally in addition to the classroom. The young musician needs a mentor and experience with the older generation of jazz players. Tom has taught at the University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, University of St. Thomas, Alvin Community College, San Jacinto Community College, Houston Community College, and Houston Baptist University. Privately he has taught at the Spring Branch School District and St. John's Private School. In the summer he teaches at "Camp Jam", a summer music camp for young musicians.
Today Tom continues to work and Teach in Houston, but in the spring 2007 Tom will be moving to Ontario Canada to marry his Childhood sweetheart and continue his musical career.
*Above photo: Dick Roselle, Jazz Pianist and Barbara Bose, one of Houston's best jazz fans.