Jazz / Crossover Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Piano Jazz
Aaron James Vocals (Background)
Bob Stoutenburg Engineer
Dennis Springer Saxophone
Gary Clinton Saxophone
Gary Hobbs Drums
Jeff Lorber Synthesizer
Jeff Uusitalo Trombone
Jon Gass Engineer
Laine Larson Trumpet
Lester McFarland Bass
Michael Hashimoto Photography
Mike Moore Assistant Engineer
Patrice Rushen Vocals
Richard Burdell Trumpet
Roland Young Design
Shirley Nanette Vocals
Tod Carver Guitar
Tom Grant Vocals, Producer, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals (Background), Synthesizer, Vibraphone, Piano
Tony Williams Drums
Tom Grant
Active Decades: '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: Feb 22, 1946 in Portland, OR
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Crossover Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Piano Jazz
Tom Grant, who has impressive technique and a likable style, has spent most of his recording career making music that purposely appeals to a wide crossover audience, combining jazz with pop and R&B. His father was a tap dancer who owned a record store and his older brother Mike played piano. When he was four, Grant began playing piano and drums. He graduated from the University of Oregon and then went to New York with Jim Pepper's Pow Wow band. He earned a masters degree in education and was teaching high-school social studies in Portland when Woody Shaw heard him playing at a weekend after-hours gig. Shaw offered Grant a job with his group and the experience soon led to more extensive work with Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Charles Lloyd, and Tony Williams (1979-1981). Grant cut his first solo record in 1976 for Timeless and in 1979 he formed his own band, which was open to the pop music that the keyboardist loved. Starting in 1983 and continuing into the new millennium, Grant has recorded a lengthy series of poppish jazz-influenced dates (for labels including Chase, Verve Forecast, Shanachie, Double Play, and Nu-Wrinkle) that have variously fallen into the categories of new adult contemporary, quiet storm, contemporary jazz, and smooth jazz; all have been best-sellers in the jazz-lite market. In addition, Tom Grant has composed music for TV and radio.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
