Tom Tallitsch
Duality
Eclectic Acoustic Jazz Duo. Original compositions and standards featuring the warm, modern Tenor of Tom Tallitsch and the cool, acoustic and nylon string guitars of Dave Manley.
Jazz saxophonist, composer, Origin/OA2 Records recording artist and music educator resides in the greater Philadelphia/Central New Jersey area.
Since his arrival on the east coast in 1996, he has established himself on the Philly jazz scene and has played with many of the area\'s top musicians. Tom’s ensembles have regularly performed at such jazz clubs and festivals as Ortlieb’s Jazz Haus, Chris’ Jazz Café, Zanzibar Blue, Mellon Jazz Festival, Berks Jazz Fest and more.
The self release album Duality (11/05) marked Tom’s debut as a recorded leader, and features guitarist Dave Manley in an intimate duo setting. It received fantastic critical reviews and is on jazz play lists throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States. He has performed live broadcasts and interviews on Philadelphia’s WRTI Temple public radio, and has had music from his latest album Medicine Man featured on WBGO Newark/NY public Jazz radio and other jazz stations around the country.
Tom\'s second album \'Medicine Man\' which received critical acclaim, was released 2/19/08 on Origin/OA2 Records, featuring Philadelphia musicians, Tony Miceli (vibraphone), Victor Baker (guitar), Paul Gehman (bass), and Dan Monaghan (drums).
In addition to having his compositions and arrangements played by vocalists and musicians throughout Philadelphia, Tom has had his works performed by individual dancers from the Martha Graham Dance Company at various choreographer showcase venues.
He owns a highly recommended music tutoring business near Princeton, NJ and is a popular jazz educator and clinician. He is the founding director of the Central NJ Homeschool Bands, works as a piano tutor to adult students with autism, and has taught at Mercer County College, The Westminster Conservatory, The Philadelphia Clef Club, and others.
Tom is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and has a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He has participated as a student in clinics with Joe Henderson and Chris Potter, and has studied with saxophonists Rick VanMatre, Ernie Krivda, Mike Lee, and Ben Schachter, and Phil Degreg
Press Quotes
All About Jazz 2/19/08 John Barron (Medicine Man) Philadelphia has always been something of a breeding ground for tenor saxophonists”John Coltrane, Benny Golson and Archie Shepp to name a few. Adding to the city�s rich jazz heritage is saxophonist/composer Tom Tallitsch who, although an Ohio native, has established himself as a revered member of the Philly scene. Medicine Man, Tallitsch�s second release as a leader, is a soulful collection of original mainstream jazz, featuring an expansive quintet, rounded off by vibraphone, guitar, bass and drums Tallitsch blows his tenor with confidence, at times hearkening the vibrancy of Joe Henderson, all the while showcasing an artistic voice, curious and exploring. Not one to waste notes, Tallitsch maintains strong melodic sensibilities during soft-spoken ballads (�Yellow�), up-tempo explorations (�Three Flights Down�) and soulful excursions (�Ceasefire�). Sharing the solo spotlight with Tallitsch is guitarist Victor Baker and vibraphonist Tony Miceli. Baker�s lyrical lines, most notably on �Yellow� and �La Tortuga,� are highly original, and refreshingly void of typical guitar trappings. The dynamic guitarist also demonstrates a piano-like approach to comping that is sparse and convincing. Miceli solos with rapid-fire execution (�Three Flights Down�) and a determination to keep things swinging (�Good Friday�). Drummer Dan Monaghan plays with an explosive edge, dropping unexpected flourishes of sound over sensible time-keeping. Bassist Paul Gehman lays a solid foundation with a punchy, rounded tone. The drum and bass double-time groove against Tallitsch�s laid-back lines on the disc�s closer �Three Flights Down (Reprise),� is a powerful show-stopper. With Medicine Man Tallitsch demonstrates his potential to stand above the innumerable tenor saxophone sound-a-likes plaguing the jazz scene. With the aid of his like-minded musical brothers, he has produced a clever, stimulating session.
Origin/OA2 Records Catalog / City Hall Records Catalog “A mainstay in Philadelphia jazz clubs for over a decade, composer and tenor saxophonist Tom Tallitsch presents the first recording of his quintet - a forward looking yet mainstream grouping of some of Philly\'s finest musicians. Performing articulate, modern jazz, Tallitsch\'s band explores alternate sonorities with its vibes and guitar led rhythm section, slightly reminiscent of Gary Burton\'s groups of the \'70s.”
JazzTimes July/Aug 2008 Forrest Dylan Bryant - ”Expanding from a duo setting to a quintet for his sophomore CD release, Tom Tallitsch offers up pleasant, unassuming original compositions that keep the proceedings casual but agreeably propulsive. With Tony Miceli\'s brisk vibraphone and Victor Baker\'s uncluttered guitar supporting his throaty tenor saxophone tone, Tallitsch\'s band frequently takes on an airy, levitating quality. But there\'s a surging intensity at work too, as crosshatched layers create a complex, filigreed sound against the leader\'s undulating solo threads. “
Philadelphia Enquirer Karl Stark 3/9/08 - ”After 12 years in Philly, tenor saxophonist Tom Tallitsch can meet the demands for what a tenor should sound like...” EJazz News - John Gilbert 1/08 (Medicine Man) - ”This album is difficult to classify as to genre. It is not jazz as we know it, as it lacks the swinging quality of the straight ahead mode, however, the players are first rate. ”Three Flights Down” is a flight of fancy for Tallitsch as he solos in the fast lane. He shows dexterity and the ability to maneuver over his horn in fine style. I was not able to do this recording justice as it is not in my fund of expertise, as it were. This album is one that the proponents of \'free jazz\' and esoterica will appreciate. It is apparent that these musicians are of the highest quality in the message they are presenting. 4 Stars”
Cadence Magazine - Jim Santella October 2006 Page.123 (Duality) - ”Tenor saxophone and guitar: the blend comes with built-in spaces and a wide tonal range that centers on melody. The duo of Tom Tallitsch and Dave Manley ensures that each interpretation contains warmth, reflective asides, and a gentle attack...”
eJazzNews 4 Stars 1/25/06 John Gilbert (Duality) - ”An intimate mood is set by this combination of tenor Sax and guitar and it works nicely...”
Jazzreview.com / eJazzNews.com - Keith \'MuzikMan\' Hannaleck 12/13/05 (Duality) - “Tom Tallitsch keeps things on an even keel and uncomplicated with his new CD Duality. The only instruments that you hear on the entire recording are the tenor saxophone of Tallitsch and the acoustic guitar of Dave Manley. Thus, the title Duality sums up what this album is.”
FLY Magazine “ Wyl Menmuir 2/26/06 (Duality) - ”More Please...”
The Muse\'s Muse 1/28/06 Chip Woothrow (Duality) - ”Duality has become one of my most listened-to discs...”
Aural Fix Magazine Geoffrey Armes 2/06 (Duality) - ”A first release from the New Jersey based saxophonist this one, it documents his duo work with guitarist Dave Manley via a collection of eight (mostly Tallitsch penned) tunes. Unlike some other tenors, Tallitsch is in search of sweet melodic adventure. Flurried riffing and hyperbolic rants run under the guise of ‘passion’ are firmly rejected in favour of seeking a natural confluence with the probing harmonies that well from the fretboard of Manley’s guitar. Their sound is breathy and intimate, clearly this duo have played together.., a lot. Never predictable, but always organised and logical, you won’t frighten your mother by putting this on at dinner time, neither will your younger siblings oh so hipper than thou friends sneer and jeer. Listen and order at http://www.tomtallitsch.com. Tom, this is great, intimate playing, you evoke the best qualities of chamber jazz with your high standard of musicianship and committed blowing.”
Rick VanMatre 1/06 University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM) Professor and Director of Jazz Studies / Saxophone (Duality) - ”A truly unique tenor sound and phrasing... fresh ideas and great tunes.”
PhillyJazz.Org 12/05 (Duality) - ”Saxman Tallitsch and Guitarist Dave Manley show what you can do with only two”.
La Otra Musica, FM80 J.L. Bueno -Cadiz, Spain 1/06 (Duality) - ”A great work, very interesting project...”
Jazz: Traditional Jazz Combo