Our ongoing series profiling the musicians involved with the making of Infernal Machines continues! Today's featured co-conspirator is Tom Goehring.
Originally from Mystic, Connecticut, Tom came to NYC back in 1980 to attend Columbia University, where he studied Political Science. But while in college, he was also regular at Barry Harris' classes at the Jazz Cultural Theatre. Tom worked in radio as a board operator and DJ (NPR, WKCR), then as a studio producer for WOR-AM. A a trumpet player, he spent many years freelancing around NYC playing all manner of gigs before deciding to limit his musical activities to those projects he actually enjoys ("Yeah, I have a day job." — Tom G.).
Tom has performed with big bands led by Jamie Begian, Sherisse Rogers, Andrew Rathbun, J.C. Sanford, and Bill Warfield. He's also performed with Harvie S, Virginia Mayhew, Vic Juris, Gene Perla, and John Hart, among others. He currently lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and it active locally with the Easton Jazz Express. A fluent composer in his own right, he's been an active participant in the BMI Jazz Composers’ Workshop since 1996 and had two of his works nominated for the Charlie Parker Award/Manny Albam Commission. He has studied with Garry Dial and Mike Longo (improvisation, composition), Bob McCoy and Laurie Frink (trumpet), Roger Rosenburg (counterpoint) and master percussionist Glen Velez (tar drum).
I met Tom during my own days in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop. Tom has been a very loyal co-conspirator, having been with us since our very first gig (CBGB Lounge, May 2005). On gigs, Tom occasionally spells off Seneca Black on lead trumpet, and also plays all my insane 2nd Trumpet parts that are strewn with notes that do not rightly belong in a 2nd Trumpet book (like the long held high E's at the climax of "Transit.")
Tom also gets (rightfully) upset when people forget to include the "h" in his last name. He would much rather that people believe that he is related to this guy.
As part of our fundraising efforts for our upcoming recording, Infernal Machines, we are offering you the opportunity to sponsor a Secret Society musician. Click here if you would like to sponsor Tom's appearance on our debut album.
IMPORTANT: The deadline for sponsoring a musician (or becoming our Executive Producer) was originally today -- February 15, 2009 -- but has been extended to February 23, 2009. If you would like to take advantage of either of these offers, as of this writing you have seven more days to do so. We would very much like to see one more sponsored musician on this project, so if you can donate at that level, now is the time!
However, you can continue to make individual donations (and have your name listed on our Thank You Page, if you wish) right up until the album's release in May.This recording is a very ambitious and very expensive endeavor, and it is only possible thanks to individual contributions from supporters of independent music such as yourselves. We are grateful beyond words to all of our generous supporters.
PREVIOUSLY...
Mark Small
Laurie Frink
Rob Wilkerson
Matt Clohesy
Jennifer Wharton
Mike Holober
Ingrid Jensen
Josh Sinton
Mike Fahie
Sam Sadigurksy
Sebastian Noelle
Nadje Noordhuis
Ryan Keberle
Erica vonKleist
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Darcy James Argue's Secret Society is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of Darcy James Argue's Secret Society may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
I also reside in Bethlehem and was pleasantly surprised to run into Tom at my friend's piano recital the day after your December Jazz Gallery hit. Strange how that happens.
Posted by: Kass | 16 February 2009 at 12:27 AM