Tom Teasley, described in the Washington Post as a "percussionist in the widest and most exuberant sense of the word", performs in symphonic orchestras, jazz groups & solo percussion performances around the world. Teasley presents over 100 concerts yearly of The Drum: Ancient Traditions Today, a solo performance and video release, which traces the use of percussion through various hand drums, traditional percussion & electronics.
Teasley came by his world music chops honestly, studying ethnic percussion with Glen Velez, Trichy Sankaran, Yacub Addy and Frank Malabe. A versatile and accomplished percussionist, Tom is constantly striving to extend the boundaries of existing musical styles and incorporate these diverse influences in his music. His multiple musical interests have instilled in him the need to create new sounds by combining timeless musical practices with contemporary influences.
In his acclaimed solo presentation, The Drum: Ancient Traditions Today, Teasley traces the history of percussion from ancient instruments to today's cutting edge electronic techniques... the sounds of indigenous instruments such as frame drums, shakers, kalimba and Ashiko drum, as well as traditional jazz instruments like drumset and vibraphone, combined with state-of-the-art electronic percussion. Tom bridges the gap between musical concerts and performance art, making him much in demand as a soloist and collaborator.
In addition to his solo work, Tom performs and records with classical orchestral and chamber groups, serves as a freelance percussionist / vibist with jazz groups, and contributes a variety of drumset styles for theatrical shows and popular musical groups. He performs in major concert venues throughout the country, including such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As percussionist / composer for Word Beat, Tom collaborates with singer / actor Charles Williams in a critically-acclaimed and truly inspiring presentation of original music and spoken word.
In 1998, Word Beat released both a video and cd, Poetry, Prose, Percussion And Song. Word Beat was also chosen by the Virginia Commission for the Arts for inclusion in its touring roster for the 1998-99 season. He has played percussion as a member of the United States Navy Band. Tom has also played drumset and percussion for blues / roots artist Catfish Hodge, touring nationally and making two recordings with this artistic legend; he's also shared the stage with national treasures Professor Longhair, Muddy Waters and Bonnie Raitt.
Tom's second solo release for the T & T Label, Time Travel, is an eclectic mix of mainstream and contemporary jazz, world music, music technology and original compositions. Both Time Travel and Tom's debut recording Balancing Act have received critical acclaim from media and radio stations throughout the world. Tom has performed and composed music for TV, jingles and film soundtracks, and been featured in numerous live radio broadcasts, including several for N.P.R.
Tom is an endorser / clinician for Yamaha. He is also endorsed by Vic Firth Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals, Wright Hand Drum Company, Remo, Mike Balter Mallets, Rhythm Tech and K & K Sound Systems. He serves on the faculties of American University, the University of the District of Columbia and the Levine School of Music where he coordinates the Percussion and Improvisational Music departments. Tom teaches percussion, music theory, jazz improvisation and percussion methods. He is a frequent lecturer / clinician in the subjects of jazz improvisation, jazz history, percussion instruments and techniques, and the interaction of acoustic and electronic performance. Recent performances include Percussive Arts Society, Young Audiences Inc., SUNY, Brooklyn Music School, Richmond Jazz Society, Appel Farms Performing Arts Center, The Augusta Heritage Center, Princeton and American Universities. Teasley has been chosen for inclusion in the Artist Roster for the Artists in Education program sponsored by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Lincoln Center Institute for Aesthetic Education in Central New York; he has also served as a panelist for the DC Commission of the Arts, and for the East Coast Jazz Festival's Fish Middleton Scholarship Competition.
Tom's newest project, Global Standard Time is now receiving heavy in-store play, listening post exposure, and intensive media coverage. It is available at Borders, Tower, and other mainstream chains plus indie music stores, book shops, health food outlets, and more.
www.TomTeasley.com
