Tom Teasley, described in the Washington Post as “a multi-instrumental genius,” maintains a unique career as a solo percussionist, composer and collaborator. Tom is a 2010 and 2011 Helen Hayes Theater Award recipient for outstanding sound design (nominations in 2012 and 2014). Tom tours frequently throughout the world performing and presenting clinics for the instrument companies he endorses including Yamaha, Vic Firth, Sabian, Remo, Gon Bops and others.

He is the 2012, 2013 and 2014 WAMA (Washington Area Music Award) World Music Instrumentalist of the year. A four-time recipient of a Fulbright-Hayes grant for performances in the Middle East, Tom collaborated with indigenous musicians and gave historic performances in Saudi Arabia, the West Bank and Jerusalem.

He has been an artist-in-residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has collaborated with the National Symphony as both a soloist and composer. As an international collaborator he has performed by invitation in Europe, South America, New Zealand and Samoa. Tom earned the Artist-of-the-year award from Young Audiences of Virginia for his creative and educational presentations.

His seven CDs have been greeted with international airplay and acclaim. He has been the subject of feature articles in both “Modern Drummer” and “Drum!” magazines. Please visit www.tomteasley.com for more information.

THE BACKSTORY

BORN IN:
Washington, DC
LIVES IN:
Washington, DC
 DRUMMING SINCE:
1970
CURRENT PROJECT(S):
Touring  solo artist for US Department of State, Cultural Envoy to New Zealand, Middle and East Far East; Sound Designer/Composer/Performer for Constellation Theatre; Multi-Media project, “Sounds You Can SEE” combining video art with live and recorded music; Live Performance with Film, composing and solo performance with silent film from the 1920s “Metropolis”, “The Adventures of Prince Achmed”, “Nosferatu” and others; World/Jazz Trio, “Global Standards”; Recently Published Book/DVD by Alfred Music, “An American Approach to World Percussion”

THE INSIDE SCOOP

BIGGEST INFLUENCE(S):
Joe Morello, Zakir Hussain, Ed Thigpen, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Glen Velez
FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON:
Eastern Journey
FAVORITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON:
"Orgy in Rhythm," Art Blakey
CAREER HIGHLIGHT:
Performing in Jerusalem with both Palestinian and Israeli Musicians

THE GON BOPS SKINNY

FAVORITE GON BOPS INSTRUMENT:
They are like children. How can you pick a favorite?!
GON BOPS SET-UP:
Rumbero Cajon, California Quinto, Conga, Tumba, Bongo, Mariano Djembe, Pandeiro, Rawhide Udu, Shell Chimes, Metal Shaker, Shakers, Timbero Mambo Bell, Hardware
Website:
www.tomteasley.com