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Tom Finn is an alto/tenor saxophonist from Old Chatham NY. Tom began playing the alto saxophone at age 11. Son of jazz guitarist Joe Finn, he showed a liking for jazz and the saxophone in particular at an early age. In high school Tom was a member of the ESYO (Empire State Youth Orchestra) Jazz Ensemble, his high school big band, and the Manhattan School of Music pre-college big band. In accordance with the MSM pre-college big band Tom partook in the Manhattan School of Music pre-college program which consisted of theory class, ear-training class, private lessons, small ensemble, and big band. During this time Tom was undergoing private instruction from the great tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama. During his high school years tom also received numerous awards including all state awards and was featured as junior saxophonist of the month on saxtalk.com. Today Tom (19) is studying in his second year at the prestigious New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan on scholarship. At school Tom has the opportunity to study with some of the top players of today along with some living jazz legends. Such players include Jim Snidero, Rachel Z, Billy Harper, Junior Mance, Jacam Manircks, Reggie Workman, Chico Hamilton, Dave Schnitter and many more. While in New York he has preformed at various jazz venues including Swing 46, Sweet Rhythm, Joe’s Pub, The 169 bar, Lincoln Center, and Cleopatra’s Needle. He has also done live radio broadcasts. Tom is a member of the Litchfield jazz Camp Junior Faculty during the summer months. The junior faculty consists of a hand full of the top young players on the scene today with ages ranging from 19-25. At the Litchfield Jazz Camp Tom teaches theory class, master class and leads an ensemble of youngsters. His main musical influences are Jacam Manricks, Dick Oatts, Joel Frahm, Chris Potter, Gene Quill, Sonny Stitt and Lee Konitz to name very few. He has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with greats such as Wycliffe Gordon, David Sanchez, Ralph Lalama, Blue Lou Marini, Loren Schoenberg and Gary Smulyan to name a few. Tom Finn is a serious young musician who is starting to make a name for himself on the New York scene. |
