Tom
Wright
Drummer & percussionist
Biography
Tom Wright is a professional drummer and percussionist from South East England, currently based in Nantes, France. He is a graduate of both Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (Masters of Music, 2017) and Exeter University (BA Hons, 2015). When in Exeter Tom was the Musical Director of the university's award winning Jazz Orchestra and enjoyed working as an in-demand performer and teacher throughout South West England. Whilst in London Tom performed regularly with some of the UK's most renowned jazz artists, led his own band, published his debut drum instructional book and worked as a resident teacher at Drumshack. Tom has received individual tuition from Dave Wickins, Dave Hassell, Paul Clarvis and Gene Calderazzo.
Selected professional performance credits include: Sarah Jory (British Country Music Awards 'Hall of Fame'); jazz artists Greg Evain, Jim Mullen, Martin Speake, Malcolm Earle-Smith, Gabriel Garrick, Simone Craddock and Craig Milverton; The Old Jelly Rollers; European touring jazz quintet Blue 7; five contemporary theatre productions with YMTUK on orchestral and Latin percussion; and Rhythms of The City, London's premier samba bateria.
Click here for Tom's full CV (includes studio work and comprehensive performance credits).
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Voice and all instruments other than percussion by Greg Evain
"Tom Wright's playing was immaculate, and the trio also featuring pianist Dan Berkson and bassist Twm Dylan... ranked amongst the very best that we have presented at Spicejazz Soho" (Paul Pace, Music Bookings Co-ordinator at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club)
Latest work
Home Sweet Home (2021) is a celebration of great friendship and love for home. This album presents a modern interpretation of ragtime and boogie-woogie music with the addition of the drums. "We hope you enjoy these timeless melodies, toe-tapping rhythms, and sound that makes us smile and feel at home". Greg & Tom
Writing
Practice Essentials for the Jazz Drummer is Tom's debut drum book (2018) and is stocked at Drumshack and Footes. "Practice Essentials for the Jazz Drummer is a collection of routines and exercises that develop many of the abilities required in jazz drumming. Frequent reference to musical context and practical application is made and a broad spectrum of topics is covered, including: common forms, coordination, switching subdivisions, language and motivic development".
In 2015 Tom wrote a first class dissertation (BA Hons) on the political impact of jazz music, and has since published an acclaimed travel blog on his experience in New Orleans, as well as work for various music publications. As part of his Masters of Music Tom wrote a biography, including original transcriptions and analysis, of drummer Shannon Powell.
Teaching
Tom has taught drums professionally for over ten years and until recently was a resident teacher at Drumshack. Tom has successfully prepared students for grade exams, including grade 8 (distinction). He is DBS checked. Contact Tom for arranging lessons.
Teaching style:
Transcription selection:
"Tom is a great tutor and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to become a skilled drummer. He is clearly passionate about drumming and in bringing out the best in his students, and this both inspires and challenges. He is also very supportive and seeks to make the lessons relevant and fun. It has been a joy learning from Tom." (previous student, Exeter)
Coordination exercise:
Tom Wright Band
Tom Wright & Co. is Tom's debut album as a band leader and features the best of Trinity Laban's latest generation of jazz graduates. The album presents compositions by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock, as well as Tom's own. (MCPS, PRS).
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Tom Wright - Drums
Rob Griffin - Tenor Saxophone
Jon Woodham - Trumpet
Dan Berkson - Piano
Rudi Creswick - Bass
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Recorded at Trinity Laban Studios, by Kit Venables.
