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Tom Harrison

For alto saxophonist/composer Tom Harrison, the art of jazz is far more than mastery of the instrument, fluency in the repertoire and respect for the tradition. For Tom, the real undertaking is to connect with that which inspired the immortals of jazz, and to cultivate it within his own work.

"While the masters represent an extraordinary level of accomplishment, the inspiration they provide me is the pursuit not just of their greatness but of the essence of that greatness. This is what fuels my passion."

More than drawing inspiration from those giants, Tom is also making a serious commitment to jazz expression through his collaborations with living artists who are strongly connected to the heritage of jazz. He thus continues his conservatoire education on the bandstand, following the grandest traditions of the music.

While studying for his master's degree at Trinity, Tom released his acclaimed debut album DAGDA on Lyte Records, showcasing Tom's striking compositional skills and featuring Irish tenor sax star Michael Buckley. Securing sponsorship from Arts Council England and Jazz Services, Tom set up a 22 date tour featuring a number of guest tenor saxophonists, one of whom was the Jazz Messenger Jean Toussaint, whose strong support of Tom's music laid the foundation for a close relationship that exists to this day.

Impressed with both Tom's musicianship and business acumen, Jean asked Tom to represent him; their business relationship was the sparked the formation of Turaco Music, creative arts agency, through which Tom represents a number of respected artists.

"The turaco is a status symbol of Zulu royalty. A bird of immense diversity; each species distinguishes itself by its unique and brilliant plumage, a fitting metaphor for the vision and quality of the artists we represent."

In addition to Turaco's work with Toussaint - including a 14-date tour of the UK in 2014 and the development of 2015's hugely successful Roots & Herbs, a 15-date festival tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the death of Art Blakey - Turaco also represents pianist/composer Robert Mitchell. Tom was instrumental in setting up Mitchell's landmark 2014 London Jazz Festival premiere of his evening-length Invocation for Robert's ensemble Panacea, the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Goldsmiths Big String at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Other affiliated artists include the multi-faceted David Lyttle and trombonist Dennis Rollins. Further information and future plans can be found at www.turacomusic.com

Tom's music lies at the core of his activities with Turaco. Not only does the company represent Tom's three musical projects, but these combine the talents of those he works with and represents. All three projects display Tom's dual purpose of enlightening audiences to the artistry of profound masters while learning from elders and performing alongside them in his ensembles.

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Take Five With...

Take Five with Tom Harrison

Read "Take Five with Tom Harrison" reviewed by Tom Harrison


Meet Tom Harrison: For alto saxophonist/composer Tom Harrison, the art of jazz is far more than mastery of the instrument, fluency in the repertoire and respect for the tradition. For Tom, the real undertaking is to connect with that which inspired the immortals of jazz, and to cultivate it within his own work. Born in Cardiff and raised in Sheffield, Tom has become one of UK jazz's fastest rising stars after finishing his studies in 2012. Since graduating ...

20
Album Review

Tom Harrison: Unfolding In Tempo

Read "Unfolding In Tempo" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


London-based alto saxophonist Tom Harrison leads a tight and imaginative band on Unfolding In Tempo, a live album of “reflections on the Ellington/Strayhorn Canon." After three years intense study of Ellington and Strayhorn, Harrison has selected a mix of tunes that display the breadth of that canon, from the famous to the lesser-known, recorded at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham and the Pizza Express club in London's Soho. The first track, recorded in Cheltenham, is the most famous--"Take ...

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31

Recording

Saxophonist Tom Harrison Celebrates Ellington and Strayhorn with "Unfolding In Tempo" Featuring Cleveland Watkiss - Available in October

Saxophonist Tom Harrison Celebrates Ellington and Strayhorn with "Unfolding In Tempo" Featuring Cleveland Watkiss - Available in October

Source: Tom Harrison

Rising star saxophonist Tom Harrison unveils his hotly anticipated second release Unfolding in Tempo on October 14th 2016. The long-awaited live album will be released on Lyte Records in October 2016 in the esteemed company of releases by jazz stars Ari Hoenig, Jean Toussaint, Jason Rebello and David Lyttle. The album documents two nights of Harrison’s hugely successful national tour of February 2016 which received high praise from the media, including features on BBC1, in Time Out and Jazzwise Magazine. ...

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Performance / Tour

Turaco Artists Appear At Derry Jazz Festival

Turaco Artists Appear At Derry Jazz Festival

Source: Ian Dale

First festival appearance for this unique project, from Tom Harrison exploring the key moments of cinema and TV through their music. Everybody loves film! And behind every definitive scene, underpinning every actor’s move is music. Whether it’s Ennio Morricone’s famous theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, or John Williams’ iconic theme from ET, incredible music gives weight to the defining moments of cinema. The Film Music Project is a celebration of the work of the great composers ...

"Melodic and imaginative ... Soulful, bluesy alto" Matthew Wright, Jazzwise

"Harrison impresses with his tight, dry-toned, scattergun flurries...he invests his playing with a mature sensibility...fearsomely excellent musicianship" Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz

"Combining simplicity of melody with sophisticated detail and hints of Traneish spirituality...Harrison is one to watch" Dave Foxall, Jazz Journal

"Harrison has a vigorous, peppery alto sound...a skillful soloist...achieving hard-edged climaxes" Chris Parker, London Jazz News

"Harrison's mellifluous flow of ideas is buoyed by a subtle blues vein and lovely fluttering codas." Ian Patterson, Culture Northern Ireland

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, alto

Location

London

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Tom Harrison is a committed and enthusiastic instructor in both instrumental technique and jazz studies. He has a great deal of experience with a huge range of ages and ability levels. Tom currently holds the position of Head of Woodwind at a high-achieving prep school in Wimbledon, as well as being the general woodwind tutor at a specialist music academy in North West London. As a designer and leader of music workshop programmes Tom Harrison has received much praise, having received awards from Arts Council England and Jazz Services to fund the delivery of these projects. Tom offers his tuition services privately in the following areas; Private Tuition: Instrumental technique / Jazz Improvisation / Music Theory Exam Prepearation: ABRSM / Trinity Guildhall / GCSEs / A-Levels / Scholarship Programmes Workshop Leader: Improvisation / Musical Development / Creative Composition / Wider Opportunities Programmes Bespoke Transcription Services If you would like to get in touch with Tom Harrison with regard to any of the above services, please use the mailing form on the Contact page to receive further details

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