Issue 1 2016

I'm excited to welcome the new subscribers from the U.S, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. It's a joy to share my work and news throughout the world.

The spring has been an amazing time for projects & recognition of my work!

Tom Wins Drummie Award, Wammie Awards and garners his 5th Helen Hayes Nomination!

I am extremely honored that I was awarded the 2016 "Drummie" Award for World Percussionist of the Year and first runner up for Percussion Clinician by the prestigious Drum! Magazine. In addition WAMA (Washington Area Music Association) Awarded me "World Music Instrumentalist" (4th straight year) and my CD Dreams of India was recognized for best "World Music Recording". You can preview and support (buy) my music at the following links: Teasley website, itunes, and CD Baby

My work as a sound designer has garnered me my 5th Helen Hayes nomination for my ongoing partnership with my friends at Constellation Theatre, who won a boatload of awards at the last Helen Hayes Awards. Congratulations to them for their well-deserved recognition. I'm looking forward to my next collaboration with Constellation Theatre in spring 2017 with the a reprise of our first collaboration, ten years ago, Mary Zimmerman's, Arabian Nights.

New Collaborations

To a sold out house at The Kennedy Center with my new trio I recently performed as a part of the DC Jazz Festival. Maestros Allyn Johnson on piano and Marshall Keys on saxophone elevated my music beyond my wildest dreams. We performed repertoire from the jazz cannon, Iraqi folk songs and free improvisations! It was great fun to combine my global hybrid kit and electronics with acoustic piano and saxophone! I look forward to more collaborations with these amazing musicians. Our world/jazz rendition of Charlie Parker's "Anthropology" can be viewed here.

Upcoming News and Performances

In July at one of my favorite programs, "Legacy International" I will perform and conduct a residency. At Legacy International American students come together with Middle Eastern students to study culture, music, and languages. It is always an honor to use my music as an instrument for understanding, peace, and harmony.

I am also delighted to announce that I will be a mentor to the 2016-2017 class of Artists-In-Residence at Strathmore Arts Center. I am really honored to share my experience with these world-class musicians and hope that my influence will have a lasting impact in their careers.

My book/DVD, An American Approach to World Percussion published by Alfred Publishing is now out and available. The set received the first glowing review by Italian Drumset Magazine(p62) and has been making quite a splash at summer NAMM. It was the lead story for the NAMM edition of the V-Newsletter! Purchase your copy at my website, Amazon or Steve Weiss Music.

Sound Mind / Sound Body

Becoming active in the world of emotional healing / therapeutic sounds is a fresh, new venture for me. I have recently supplied music and sound design for "Getting to Work: Resiliency in Demanding Situations," the newest CD of guided meditations by a physician, Siddharth Ashvin Shah. I will also join Dr. Shah and the Greenleaf Integrative team this fall as a healing sound practitioner working to counteract the impact that traumatic stress has on our society. You can visit the new section devoted to this work on my site here.

Percussion Education

Through the work of my new book/DVD it is making a profound impact on my teaching practice. I am currently working on new ways to implement my studies with Joe Morello and classical percussion. I have received more requests for instruction in my newly equipped home studio as well as Skype lessons from throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. I also offer a new course on combining digital looping with live performance. If you would like to book a session in my studio or through Skype please follow this link

I hope you have enjoyed this update and I look forward to hearing back from you!

Peace, Salam, Shalom, Shanti,

Tom