B i o g r a p h y
Starting at the age of 5 years old and playing drums and percussion at home casually, Tommy started his formal music studies under tutelage of the late Charles "Doc" Rutherford and his big jazz ensemble. Specialized in jazz improvisation and theory, Tommy learned how to harness his ability for timing and further grew his appreciate for many jazz standards which is the backbone of much of the popular music we love listening to today. Out of college Tommy joined the working force of musicians and played several clubs, corporate parties, and weddings with several cover bands providing an atmosphere for total party and entertainment. Moving to Washington, Tommy took a break for almost a decade to raise children. After the time was right, Tommy reinvested in all new instruments and once again joined the show business circuit as a percussionist for hire. Tommy is currently the resident percussionist for Manigua, The Elliot Bay Music Group, and Paul Sawtelle and the Brotherhood of Soul. After a gig in Kirkland Wa., Tommy met a drummer named Maurice Bailey. A connection was made for the future as Tommy and Maurice joined forces in a small project focusing on their rhythmic chemistry. Tommy was hired by Upscale Soiree under the CEO Allen Belle and music direction of Maurice Bailey and he begin to meet other key musicians in the area. Tommy has played with Mr. Maurice Bailey, John Studamire, Herman Brown and his brothers of the one and only Septimus, Paul Sawtelle, Mercedes Nicole, Danelle Hayes, Byron Bordeaux, Brett Arcement and many more.
Tommy finds his inspiration for different rhythm styles of Salsa consisting of Son, Tumbao, Guaguancó, Cha cha, Timba, Bachata, many types of Mozambique as well as Cumbia, Merengue, Bomba, and many more. The artistry is when he lends those styles to music he participates in.
"Growing up, my parents inadvertently catered to my taste for many types of music. I got a heaping dose on a regular basis for the genres and atmospheres that music created. I would later appreciate that when I grew up and my music pallet matured. However, I knew early on that I was a percussionist. The behaviors of a toddler banging on pots, pans, and table tops dictated it."
