Tom Dempsey, guitarist in New York Jazz Scene has earned a reputation for his hard-swinging sophistication and pure musicality. Recent years have seen Tom perform and/or record with a number of internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, including Paquito D’Rivera and Jim Hall, Wynton Marsalis and John Abercrombie and John Scofield. Six CDs have been recorded by him as a leader: Saucy, Beautiful Friendship, What’s Going on (Planet Arts Records), Perspectives(Imaginary Records), Blues In The Slopes (Igmod Records), and If Only We Knew. Tom has recorded many recordings as a sideman. Tom has been performing at top jazz venues around the globe since 1992. He can be seen as both a leader and sideman at Jazz at Lincoln Center, San Francisco Jazz Festival and The Blue Note. Dempsey was a Music Ambassador for the US State Department in Tunisia in 2012. Dempsey has been a frequent collaborator with Savion Glover, a tap dance virtuoso, in Bring in ‘da Noise and Bring in ‘da Funk, as well as performing live at concerts. Dempsey has appeared on many New York television and radio stations, including on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and the HBO show Sex and the City. Tom is an Artist Endorsee to Thomastik-Infeld Strings. In addition to his active performing career Tom’s talents as a composer are receiving significant attention. Dempsey’s distinctive style and sound have been described as “fine compositional ability, stylistic accessibility” His music can be heard on Dempsey’s recordings and radio programs around the globe, including the hit HBO series Sex and the City. His deep commitment to education makes him an extremely sought-after educator and clinician. He has taught at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Rutgers University. Alfred Music and Workshop Arts have his books Jazz Eras for Guitar. Dempsey was a TrueFire teaching artist in 2011, producing three highly acclaimed videos on jazz guitar performance. Dempsey was also the musical consultant and producer for Pat Martino’s “The Nature of Guitar”. Tom Dempsey currently teaches music at LaGuardia Community College as an Associate Professor. from www.tomdempseymusic.com
