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Tom Grant
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Tom Grant, master instrumentalist, talented singer and natural entertainer nimbly walks the line between jazz tradition and modern pop. This soft-spoken Oregon native's inspired songwriting produces propulsive R&B grooves, infectious melodic hooks, and stylish ballads with equal ease. He plays jazz piano with the harmonic sophistication and deep sense of swing that only comes from more than three decades on the bandstand. At the same time, his recordings have consistently landed at the top of the New Adult Contemporary (NAC)/Smooth Jazz charts, a genre of music Tom helped pioneer in the mid-80s.
As the Pacific Northwest's most renowned musical artist, Tom Grant's career achievements reflect his unique ability to embrace the full spectrum of contemporary music.
Born to show business parents, Tom was at home with many musical instruments, but always returned to the piano. At a tender age, he was taught to play piano and drums by his tap dancer father. Later, he learned about music styles listening to music at his father's record store in Portland, Oregon. His brother, an avant-garde jazz pianist, introduced him to the many different facets of jazz music. After graduating from the University of Oregon and a short stint as a high school teacher, Tom answered his musical calling. Native American saxophonist Jim Pepper took Tom to New York in 1970 to record the chant classic "Witchi-tai-to." After that, he toured and recorded with such jazz greats as Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Charles Lloyd and Tony Williams.
Since 1983, Tom's records have repeatedly topped the Smooth Jazz charts. Several, including the popular Mango Tango, Night Charade, In My Wildest Dreams, and The View from Here enjoyed lengthy stays at Number One. Tom's music is a staple of radio both in the U.S. and around the world. His compositions are also used in TV and Films worldwide. He has been featured on CNN and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
When Tom was accorded the prestigious status of Steinway Artist several years ago, he was the first non-classical pianist in the Northwest to receive this honor. He is also a tireless worker for humanitarian and charitable causes. He has a scholarship established in his name by the United Negro College Fund. In 1999 Tom was also given the Humanitarian Award for Dedication to Music, Health and Children by the New York Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. More recently he has dedicated himself to numerous charity projects for under-funded public schools in the Northwest.
In 2001, Tom started recording on his own record label, Nu-Wrinkle Records. After nearly 35 years of recording on various labels (Windham Hill, Verve, Shanachie, PAUSA, Gaia, WMOT, Timeless International, Chase Music) he felt it was time to explore the world of self-produced music. He currently has four releases on this label. The most recent album, Nice Work If You Can Get It, is the first straight jazz album Tom has recorded. It was released in June 2004.
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