Tom
Garling
After winning numerous awards in high school and at the
Berklee College of Music, Tom went on the road with Buddy
Rich in January of 1986 at the age of twenty. He was on
Buddy's last touring band before he died in 1987. Buddy
once said of him in a video taped interview in Stockholm:
"Tom is going to have a very, very strong future
in jazz."
Tom
went on to finish his studies at the University of Miami,
where he received his Master's degree in Jazz Arranging
and Composition. Afterward, he was immediately employed
by U of M. to teach improvisation and ear training, direct
Big Bands and coach small groups. In the meantime, he
played with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet,
Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Randy Brecker,
to name a few.
Shortly
thereafter, he started touring with Maynard Ferguson's
Big Bop Nouveau Band, where he remained for 6 years, 4
of which he was musical director. Tom has played on numerous
albums, including his own album on Concord records, called
"Maynard Ferguson Presents Tom Garling."
He
has also appeared on three Maynard Ferguson albums, as
well as Tito Puente's "Special Delivery", an
album by Michael Feinstein and Maynard called "Big
City Rhythm", and four Frank Mantooth albums.
In
addition to his accomplishments as a soloist, his talents
as composer and arranger have been utilized by Maynard,
Tito Puente, Liza Minelli, Michael Fienstein, Dianne Schuur,
plus countless commissions from professional bands around
the country. He also co-produced Maynards last album called
"Brass Attitude".
Tom currently resides in the Chicago area, and teaches
jazz trombone, improvisation, composition and arranging
at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt
University, and Northern Illinois University. He is highly
sought after around the world as a recording artist, composer
and arranger, teacher, clinician and professional musician
at any capacity.
