Tom Schuman

An audience will be energized by the raw energy of Tom Schuman and his band. The music is as diverse and eclectic as the music he loves to listen to. Tom's solo CDs promote a repertoire ranging from funk & soul to rock & straight ahead jazz. It is a smorgasbord of jazz influenced high energy performances. There is something for everyone at a Tom Schuman concert.

Tom Schuman

These days, it’s hard for many to disassociate the name of Tom Schuman from Spyro Gyra, but Schuman has come full circle into the light...a jazz pianist, creating beauty and preserving the past.

“There comes a time, perhaps after years of trying to fit into a particular groove or walk a particular walk, when something magical happens. The artist crosses over into a realm where beautiful music pours forth like it had been imprisoned somewhere in the dark recesses of his soul. Delivering yet another outstanding CD on his own label, JazzBridge Music LLC, Tom Schuman proves he’s definitely come into his own.”
Suzi Price- (link hidden)

While Tom has a long and critically acclaimed career composing and performing fusion and smooth jazz, he is also an extraordinarily gifted classic jazz composer and performer. As he moves forward with the expansion of his solo career, his focus is on acoustic trio and quartet performances of classic jazz and standards.

He released his first solo record, "Extremities" in 1990 and has continued his solo career along with Spyro Gyra performances. He has also managed to balance his solo career with guest appearances on albums of other artists as well as Spyro Gyra and find the time to score a movie or two. Who knows, with music as a vehicle, there will be no limits to Tom's creative influences on the sounds of the future.

Tom started his own label, JazzBridge Music in 1999. His first solo release on JazzBridge was the critically acclaimed Into Your Heart. Following his heart and passion for more traditional jazz music, especially piano trios his next release was the all acoustic jazz CD, Schuman Nature, which rose to number 27 on the Jazzweek charts. He then released the fresh and soulful Deep Chill, in 2005. In 2010, Tom released Reflections Over Time. This CD had a more diverse flavor to it paying homage to the late Joe Zawinul and Jimi Hendrix as well as some political giants of American history.

Tom continues to contribute contemporary jazz compositions as well as do more producing for his label, JazzBridge Music. He produced Steve Oliver’s third CD, 3D, as well as two tracks, including the title track, on Steve’s subsequent release, Radiant. He also appears on Steve’s latest releases, Global Kiss and World Citizen. Tom also found time to produce singer/trumpeter Skip Martin’s Formal Dining.
Both Steve and Skip appear on Tom’s latest release, Designated Planets. Check out (link hidden) for more information.

There are two technical configurations. One is acoustic and the other is electric depending on what the promoter wants.

The acoustic setup is simple:

1. One acoustic grand piano, Steinway or Yamaha preferred (7' or more)
2. One set of drums specified by the drummer who is hired for that gig
3. A bass amp that is meant for an upright acoustic bass.
4. One announce mike
5. One extra mike and input for possible horn player (if needed)
6. Monitors and front of house sound to appropriately handle the instrument inputs and venue requirements

The electric setup is as follows:

1. One Yamaha Motif ES8 (or similar) 88 key weighted action keyboard
2. One 2 tier X style keyboard stand (Tom travels with a Korg X50 and rack)
3. One set of drums specified by the drummer who is hired for that gig
4. One electric bass amp
5. One guitar amp
6. One sax or trumpet mike
7. One announce mike
8. Monitors and front of house sound to appropriately handle the instrument inputs and venue requirements