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Tom Kessler

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tom began playing at an early age. His music lies in the intersection of conceptual composition and soulful improvisation. His work overlaps many genres such as jazz, free improvisation and the blues. Since 2008 he has been active in the jazz and improvisational music scene of Mexico, USA and Central America, working with musicans such as Gustavo Nandayapa, Brian Allen, Hans Glawischnig, Blair Latham, Gabriel Puentes, Tyler Mitchell, Pablo Aguirre, Elliott Levin, Adonis Rose and many others. From 2012 to 2018 he was a faculty member at the Jazz and popular music program at UNICACH in Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas. He has released 3 albums as a leader and many others as a sideman. His forthcoming album as a leader with Jochen Rueckert on drums and Eivind Opsvik on bass is scheduled to be released on Unit Records on March 15 2019. He now lives in Berlin, Germany.

Awards

Jovenes Creadores Grant from FONCA Mexico 2012

Tom Kessler: Nuevo Valso

Read "Nuevo Valso" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann

by Friedrich Kunzmann
March 17, 2019

For his fourth album as a leader Mexican guitarist Tom Kessler gets drummer Jochen Rückert and bassist Eivind Opsvik on board to deliver nine, self-penned and diverse pieces. Opener “Ascilina" demonstrates the treats that the trio brings to the table. Intriguing voicings on guitar, buzzing melodic lines on bass and an understated percussive structure. The production is crisp and dry. Much on Nuevo Valso presents itself in similarly subtle fashion. Kessler's guitar radiates an earthy vibrancy, giving the ...

A pristine and balanced work, in which the images and phrasing are as elegant as they are energetic... with a fluidity and coherence that truly amazes me Antonio Malacara (La Jornada)

https://www.jornada.com.mx/2010/06/28/opinion/a16o1esp

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Berlin

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Professor at the University of Arts and Sciences of Chiapas in Mexico. I taught guitar, ensembles, compositiona and improvisation in the Jazz and popular music program for 5 years. I've also taught privately for over 10 years and have a lot of original etudes and theoretical information that I like to share with my students