Tommy James has been the pianist and music director of the Duke Ellington Orchestra for the past nine years.
Over the years Mr. James has worked with a wide ranging group of artists of many musical genres. Among the outstanding artists and bands with whom he has performed and/or recorded with are The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Joe Williams, Maureen McGovern, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, Nell Carter, Marlena Shaw, Roy Ayers, Melba Moore, Manu Dibango, Billy Vera, The Spinners, and the Temptations. He has served as music director with the international tour of the Tony-award winning musical “Bring in ‘da Noise”. He has also been musical director for Dawn Lewis, Doc Powell, Bobbi Humphrey, and others. Tommy’s arrangements have been performed by the Ellington Orchestra, the New York Pops, the LA Philharmonic, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic.
A celebration of America’s original musical art form, Jazz Maui 2013 featured instructional workshops for students and performances by visiting and local professional jazz musicians.
Jazz Maui 2013 was produced by Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), a 501(c)[3] nonprofit organization established in 1986 to provide opportunities for artistic and cultural enrichment (www.aecg.org).
Jazz Maui 2013 was presented to:
Provide an opportunity for local residents, including music students, aspiring young musicians, professional musicians, and jazz music aficionados, to participate in and/or attend high quality jazz music performance concerts;
Provide a venue for young aspiring local jazz musicians to establish connections within the professional jazz music scene that may facilitate career opportunities;
Provide music students on Maui an opportunity to participate in instructional workshops and jam sessions conducted by internationally acclaimed jazz musicians and music educators; and
Establish an annual signature event featuring high quality jazz and various music performances for the enjoyment and enrichment of visitors and local residents further distinguishing Maui as a culturally-rich world-class destination.
July 6: For the love of Maui, a Benefit for Community Work Day Concert at the Ritz-Carlton, featuring an All-star lineup of local and visiting music professionals including Gene Argel Latin Band, Louis Romanos Quartet, Tommy James, Jim Seeley, Peter Brainin. and a special guest performer.
