Album Notes

Tom Sharpe is the drummer for Dennis DeYoung, the legendary singer/songwriter from the famed rock group STYX. He is also the drummer for the Grammy Award winning group Mannheim Steamroller, the number one selling Christmas tour of all time. Along with his heavy tour schedule, Tom is an internationally recognized, critically acclaimed composer, and the creator of his own world music ensemble, Sharpe World Music. His own compositions have won many awards, including the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Broadjam World Music Contest. He is alumni of the Interlochen Arts Academy and holds the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from DePaul University.

Tom’s original music is a percussive symphony - a sonic and visual feast for the senses. A classically trained musician, Tom has dramatically blended his orchestral background with world music instrumentation and cinematic imagery to create an experience that invites the listener into the heart of the musical moment - wildly emotional and technically precise, with a gutsy edge of percussive frenzy and tribal ritual. Weaving together powerful elements of sound and rhythm, Tom is equally proficient on a vast array of percussion and keyboard instruments. Seamlessly blending genres from Middle Eastern, African, orchestral, and rock music, Tom moves between traditional instrumentation and electronics with ease and precision. With a fresh approach to world music, Tom's high energy, passion, and emotion, combined with superb musicality, leave audiences amazed and inspired!

Tom performed the world premiere of "Like Setting Myself on Fire" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. He was a featured artist at the 2004 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, and at the Nashville New Music Conference in Nashville, TN, for two consecutive years. In 2005 Tom was featured in the PBS Special “Arts Across Illinois”. In 2006 and 2007 Tom provided the live soundtrack for Dance Chicago’s World Rhythms and Dance series, International Rhythms series, and Grand Finale at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, as well as performed on stage. He was commissioned to write a world music ensemble piece that was performed at the National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis in March 2007, and premiered his first symphony for world percussion with his ensemble and the Elmhurst College Choir in concert in April 2007. In 2008, Tom performed at the “Great Performers of Illinois” festival in Millennium Park, Chicago. 2009–2011 found Tom performing live as a solo artist, with his ensemble, with Mannheim Steamroller, and Dennis DeYoung, as well as guest appearances with Lenny Kravitz, Martha Davis of the MOTELS, and American Idol favorite David Archuletta. His national television performances include NBC’s Pandora Unforgettable Moments on Ice, the Oprah Winfrey Show, A+E, Nightline, PBS, and WGN. Tom is endorsed and represented by the Yamaha Corporation of America, Sabian Cymbals, Vater Sticks and Mallets, Aquarian Drum Heads, HipTrix Glowing Percussion, the Illinois Arts Council, and Urban Gateways Center for Arts Education.

CONTACT:

www.tomsharpe.com
info@sharpeworldmusic.com