Tom Teasley - Painting Time (2007) [CDRip]

Percussionist Tom Teasley wields a staggering array of ancient and futuristic instruments on this bewitching album, weaving an exotic tapestry of meditative marimba patterns, pulsing hand drums and percolating synth layers. But all of that is just to set the scene, as horns, flute and bass slink, strut or growl through the tunes like lions lurking in tall grass. The interplay is fun and creative, with trombonist John Jensen sounding particularly lively, while Teasley’s concise compositions pack expansive excursions into tidy packages.

Almost from the outset, Tom Teasley has brought percussion up from the background,profoundly demonstrating its strength in solo performance. He offers creative insights through performances, workshops and residencies in the U.S. and Europe. He is “a percussionist in the widest and most exuberant sense” says the Washington Post; reviewer Cecelia Porter declared his composition the “evening’s dazzler” at the Contemporary Music Form in Washington, D.C. He’s a “creative bonanza,” claims Bruce Wittet in Modern Drummer magazine. “Give Tom a bass drum, a snare drum and a djembé and he'll give you part Stravinsky, part Art Blakey.” Because of his technical wizardry over a wide range of instruments, with visual impact nearing performance art, PASIC, the world’s largest percussion convention, broke with tradition to feature him three times. He has presented workshops at Princeton University, New York University,and the Eastman School of Music, among other organizations.
He began studying jazz, blues, funk and European classical music, and toured with the United States Navy Band early in his career. He recorded and performed nationally with blues artist Catfish Hodge and jazz legend Professor Longhair.He focused on ethnic percussion with Glen Velez, Trichy Sankaran, Yacub Addy and Frank Malabe,and studied under celebrated jazz drummer Joe Morello. Selected as Kennedy Center artist-in-residence, he recorded nine performances there. He has developed several highly regarded workshops and clinics. Young Audiences of Virginia named him Artist of the Year for his in-school programs across the state.
Currently he performs in the U.S. and Europe, teaches in a private studio, presents master classes and school programs, and serves as artist-in-residence at the Levine School of
Music in Washington, D.C., among other residencies. A prolific prolific composer and ensemble leader, he continues developing new pieces and recordings, with a ninth release Painting Time"just released.He enjoys airplay on TV, film, and National Public Radio.