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You're probably wondering why I'm here and frankly,
so am I...............
Tom made his arrival on Earth, in the city of Detroit, Michigan, USA, at one point in the 1960's. (His friends say
his enormous ego and vanity will not permit him to admit to the exact year, but, c'mon, who is he REALLY trying to fool???)
He will acknowledge to the ladies that he is infact a Taurus, born on April 30
His first musical memories were of
listening to his father's band, which played traditional Serbian and Balkan "Tamburitza" music at many picnics and functions
for the Serbian American community around Detroit.
Young Tom's noodling around the house on a wooden toy flute led
him to taking up the real flute in fifth grade. Upon entering high school, Tom switched to the tenor saxophone. He had early
instruction with Motown Record's saxophonist, George F. Benson. He briefly attended Wayne State University, then tranferred
to the University of North Texas, earning a B.M.
Tom later received a M.A. in Jazz Composition the Aaron Copeland School
of Music, at Queens College-CUNY.
Tom has played in many big bands, touring the US with The Artie Shaw Orchestra (under
the direction of Dick Johnson) and The Glenn Miller Band. In NYC he has performed with Howard Williams "Garage" Big Band,
Wayne Andre Band, the Brooklyn Big Band and Joe Bataglia's New York Big Band among others. Tom has toured Japan with latin
artist Carmen Jimenez.
Based in NYC, Tom currently freelances and leads his own groups, perfoming in many clubs and
venues around the city, such as SOB's, Sweet Rhythm, Birdland, Tavern on the Green, etc.
His film and television appearances
include "The Oprah Winfrey Show", "The Gayle King Show" and the 2005 feature film, "Hitch", starring Will Smith.
As
an educator, Tom has taught at various schools, including, The Brooklyn Band Academy, The United Nations International School,
Long Island Lutherian School, and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
Tom is currently on the applied music staff at the
Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn Heights.
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