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Tom Wakeling

Bassist and Educator

About Me

For over 40 years, Tom Wakeling has put his bass to work at jazz festivals, concert halls, and jazz clubs throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

Tom has performed with many jazz greats, including Arturo Sandoval, Lee Konitz, Mel Torme, Benny Golson, James Moody, Herb Ellis, Mose Allison, Charlie Rouse, Houston Person, Ken Peplowski, Ernie Watts, Scott Hamilton, Charles McPherson, Carl Fontana, and Herb Geller. Among the rhythm section greats he has performed with are Albert “Tootie” Heath, Jeff Hamilton, Mickey Roker, Lewis Nash, Butch Miles, Grady Tate, Mike Clark, Chuck Redd, Dave Frishberg, Bill Mays, Tamir Hendleman, Roger Kellaway, Mike Wofford, Bill Cunliffe, Art Lande, Edward Simon, and Bruce Forman.

Tom’s “show biz” credits include Della Reese, Red Skelton, Rich Little, Mickey Rooney, the Fifth Dimension, and playing in the orchestras of national touring shows such as “Cats”, “A Chorus Line”, the Joffrey Ballet, “Grease”, and “Damn Yankees” (with Jerry Lewis).

An experienced and dynamic educator, Tom has served as a guest artist at the Wuhan (China) Conservatory of Music, Taichung (Taiwan) University, Stanford University Jazz Workshop, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, University of Kansas, Arizona State University, University of Nevada, UC Fullerton, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, Centrum - Pt. Townsend Jazz Workshop, Douglas College Summer Jazz Intensive, Jazz Camp West, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, among others.

In addition to his live quartet recording with Juno award-winning Canadian trumpet player Brad Turner, Tom’s recordings include Rebecca Kilgore’s “Moonshadow Dance”, Nancy King’s “Perennial”, “Climbing” with the Alan Jones Sextet, and the Bridge Quartet’s “Night”.