Tom Walker

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:39:00 +0000

Tom Walker has been perfecting the blues from a very young age, earning respect and admiration from musicians across the globe.

At the young age of 21 he is driving British blues to new levels from the heart of the UK. Tom Walker Trio came together in the Summer of 2011 and Have since been touring the UK wowing crowds with their solid blues renditions and tight grooves.

Tom is the best blues guitarist in Birmingham probably the UK. He has blues in his veins, he feels every groove and every note and you can see it in him when he plays.

I first saw Tom at the young age of 15. Id finished my Degree in Music Technology at Staffordshire University and started volunteering at Clifton Road Youth Centre on a music night.

Tom was playing in a Band called ‘The Flood” at the time made up of Jake Clark(bass) and James Ashton(drums), they were all about 14/15 years old but they weren’t bad I was really impressed with how well this kid was getting around his fret board.

He then had a little spell with a band called 'Basic Terms' which had a little bit more of an indie sound 'The kooks' and 'Arctic Monkeys' were high in the charts and the teenagers in Clifton were going mad for that raw style. The band were made up by Jack Younger (Drums) and Jake Clark on (Bass), Jake was Toms best mate so they had a great understanding and interest in music Jake was someone Tom could rely on.

I never thought Basic Terms would last as Tom (being Tom) kept dropping Blues licks in to it; you could tell that’s what his heart was telling him to play, but it was during one of his rehearsals that things took a turn, a young guy called Ed Handley had popped down to get involved with a bit of volunteering at the youth centre and during a break he asked Tom If he fancied a jam and then... a moment that will never leave me... happened, It was like they had played together all their lives! They jammed out a twenty minute version of crossroads it was incredible, a moment that will stick with me. People were even walking into the hall where these guys were practicing to see what was going on you could see the chemistry on the stage the three of them Jake, Ed and Tom were all there with great big smiles across there faces, for those who are in a band its like the first time you click and are actually all playing together. The Band Became 'Eastern Moon'.

Eastern Moon are one of my favourite line ups that Tom had. Due to the dynamics of having Ed on drums who was also a guitarist singer/songwriter, pushing Tom to new levels but also supporting him on the vocal front which Tom was always critical of his own vocal(We would joke that Hendrix and Dylan cant sing, its alright as long as you can write a good song or play the guitar really well) It's something Tom has worked hard on over the years and because of that he is now the full package.

The Key thing for me was that Eastern Moon appealed to a young audience. They were playing Blues but it was fresh and they were having fun doing it. Unfortunately It all came to an end due to life always intervening which pulled 'Eastern Moon' apart.

I have always admired Tom’s professionalism with his music to the annoyance of his band members and his friends. I got to work with Tom a lot, mixing live gigs and recording. He always strived for perfection always trying little techniques that he had heard always tweaking and always learning.

After the split of 'Eastern Moon' Tom needed something new, so he setup the 'Tom Walker Trio', I was always unsure about the name but after seeing him a couple of times with different line ups I got it! Tom could bring whomever he wanted in to the trio and not have to worry about new band names, new songs changing styles and in doing so we have seen some immense lineups for the trio with the likes of James Burgess (Pleasure House), Jake Clark(The Rails),Chris Emery and Charles Sylvester(J.A.L.N) Just to name a few.

Tom Walker Trio Released the first album in 2014; recording it with the world renowned producer Richard Digby Smith who has also worked with the likes of Free, Bob Marley, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. Following the release of the album in November 2014 Tom Traveled to Austin Texas to Play some shows. Where again he enjoyed local success so much that he plans an annual return visit.

Nowadays the trio consists of Deano Bass(Brothers Groove) and Jim Simpson(UFO/Magnum) an absolute powerhouse rhythm section giving Tom the reigns to show people what he does best. They are recording the new album in ARC Studio. If you Haven't seen them yet the Tom Walker Trio is one of the most exciting bands on the UK music scene so make sure you drop into one of their nights at the Jam House which is a regular slot. The Trio will also be appearing at the Malt Shovel for Easter Saturday 27th March or keep an eye out for other up and coming gigs on http://www.tomwalkerofficial.com/.

The new Album is due out may with an album Launch at Ronnie Scotts Tuesday 3rd May.

Struck A Chord

Tom Walker