Tom Warrington

Artist Profile:

Tom Warrington

Tom Warrington is one of the busiest acoustic and electric bass players in Los Angeles. Tom began his career in New York City, playing for three years in the Buddy Rich big band and trio. He also toured Europe extensively as a clinician and performer, and worked with many other great N.Y. artists, including Stan Getz, Dave Liebman, and Hank Jones.

Tom has lived in Los Angeles for the past twenty years, performing and recording with a long list of great artists, including Freddie Hubbard, Billy Childs, Denny Zeitlin, Bob Florence, Joe LaBarbera, Mose Allison, Arturo Sandoval, and Peggy Lee. His playing spans a wide range of styles, from jazz albums with Bob Sheppard and Terry Trotter, to TV commercials, where his music writing skills are often called upon.

Tom is heard on many movie and television scores, and is a featured artist on the soundtrack of Jodie Foster’s film “Little Man Tate.” He has also performed at the renowned Playboy Jazz Festival with Randy Brecker’s quintet at the Hollywood Bowl, with Billy Childs at the Montreal and North Sea Jazz Festivals, and with Steve Houghton at the Samix International Festival in South Africa. This summer, Tom also toured New Zealand and performed a series of concerts in Edinburgh, Scotland.

His continuing association with top jazz players, combined with his clear and logical methods for communicating musical ideas have kept him in constant demand for clinics and seminars. Tom has also published a variety of musical works and instructional materials, including “Essential Styles I & II,” (with play-along CD’s), a video series, “The Contemporary Rhythm Section,” a 28-book play-along series, “MasterTracks,” and a new beginning bass method/CD, “Crawl Before You Walk.”

He is a faculty member at University of Nevada Las Vegas, and holds a master’s degree in composition from University of Illinois. Tom has also just released a new CD on the Jazz Compass label (jazzcompass.com), with Larry Koonse and Joe LaBarbera.

After receiving his master’s degree in composition from University of Illinois, Tom moved to New York City in the mid 70’s. There he quickly got the call to join the Buddy Rich Band, where he played for over two years. He also toured Europe extensively as a performer and clinician, and worked with many other great NY artists, including Stan Getz, Dave Liebman, and Hank Jones.

Tom came to Los Angeles in 1981, and has performed and recorded with a long list of great artists, including Freddie Hubbard, Terry Trotter, Peter Erskine, Joe La Barbera, Bob Florence, Lenny Niehaus, Mose Allison, Arturo Sandoval, and many others. His playing can be heard on over 100 recordings spanning a wide range of styles. Tom has also played on many movie and television scores, and is a featured artist on the soundtrack of Jodie Foster’s film “Little Man Tate.” He has also performed at the renowned Playboy Jazz Festival with Randy Brecker’s quintet at the Hollywood Bowl, and with Billy Childs at the Montreal and North Sea Jazz Festivals. “Corduroy Road,” the current CD by the Tom Warrington Trio (JazzCompass Records) has received international critical acclaim and the group recently completed an extensive tour of New Zealand.

Tom continues to play and record with top jazz players, and his articulate communication methods have made him a top choice as clinician at festivals and conventions. Writing also plays an increasing role in his activities. In addition to jingle orchestrations and vocal jazz charts, Tom has co-authored “Essential Styles I & II,” as well as an instructional video series, “The Contemporary Rhythm Section,” the book/CD play-along series, “MasterTracks,” and beginning bass method,”Crawl Before You Walk.”