The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

Tommy Mars Tommy (*1951) is a keyboarder. He began taking piano lessons at the age of eight and soon developed a keen interest in keyboards and synthesizers, which he incorporated into his personal style. Tommy graduated from the Hartt College of Music in West Hartford, CT in 1972 with a music degree. He then supported himself with various jobs, including choir director, church organist, and silent film pianist.   Although Tommy only knew King Kong and Peaches en Regalia from Zappa's repertoire, he played and passed an audition with Frank Zappa arranged by percussionist Ed Mann and was able to join his band. From 1977 to 1982 he was an important part of Zappa's band.   After his time with Zappa he played with Steve Vai and Stuart Hamm. In the mid-nineties Mars formed the band The Band From Utopia, which is made up of ten former members of Zappa's bands and plays Zappa's music as a tribute band.   In 2007 the album Strange News From Mars was released, a collaboration with Jon Larsen and featured other Zappa alumni such as Bruce Fowler, Jimmy Carl Black and Arthur Barrow. In 2008 Tommy Mars played on three tracks on the album The Jimmy Carl Black Story with the original drummer of the Mothers Of Invention, Jimmy Carl Black. In spring 2009, the album No Forest Fire was released, on which Tommy Mars collaborated with Bruce Fowler, Walt Fowler, Kurt McGettrick, Larry Klimas, Arthur Barrow and Vinnie Colaiuta. In 2010, Tommy Mars recorded the surrealist audiobook Willie Nickerson’s Egg.   Tommy's improvisational skills range from jazz to classical to rock. In addition, he often uses the technique of musical quotation in his improvisations.   from Wikipedia

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