Tommy Morgan

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Primary Instrument: Harmonica

Tommy Morgan is the most “heard” harmonica player in the world today. As a composer, arranger and performer, his resume includes television, motion pictures and pop albums, including recording with such diverse artists as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Michael Crawford.

In September, 2010, Tommy celebrates 60 years as a recording musician in Hollywood (first “session” in September 1950 with the Andrews Sisters for Decca Records). Long time first call in the studio recording industry, he has played on over 7000 sessions, recording for motion pictures, television, records, CDs and commercials.

With reruns throughout the world of the long running television series “Green Acres”, “Sanford and Son”, “The Waltons”, “The Rockford Files”, “The Dukes of Hazard”, “The Newhart Show” and “China Beach”, performances on hit records “Good Vibrations” (The Beach Boys), “Rainy Days and Mondays” (The Carpenters), “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” (The Hollies) and others, as well as a solo performance on The Academy Awards 2000 television broadcast (estimated audience one billion), his harmonica playing has been heard by more people than any other player in history.

As a performer, he has given four command performances, and has appeared in concert in over 30 countries. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Music (Composition) from the University of California at Los Angeles. He has composed background music for episodes of “The Twilight Zone,” “Have Gun, Will Travel”, “Gunsmoke”, and for the “Will Rogers, USA” television special. He has been arranger for Johnny Cash, Glenn Yarbrough and Rod McKuen. His sight reading ability, improvisational skills in jazz and blues, and his classical background mark him as a most unusual musician.

Tommy he’s been involved in over 7,000 recording sessions, being responsible for many of the classic harmonica performances heard in Clint Eastwood’s early spaghetti westerns and has recorded soundtracks for more than 600 feature films, including: “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, “Lilies of The Field”, “Cool Hand Luke”, “Dances with Wolves”, “How The West Was Won”, “City Slickers”, “Dennis The Menace”, “The Mirror Has Two Faces”, “Rosewood”, “The Mexican”, “Monsters, Inc”., “The Princess Diaries”, “Cars”, “Hotel for Dogs” and “Ratatouille.”

Last Updated: January 11, 2011

Solos on "Records of Interest": The Beach Boys: "Good Vibrations"
The Carpenters: "Rainy Days and Mondays"
Linda Rondstadt: "Skylark"
Michael Crawford: "Stormy Weather" from the album A Touch of Music of the Night
Barbra Streisand: "Isn't It a Pity?"
from the album A Love Like Ours
Neil Diamond: "I'll Be Home For Christmas"
from The Christmas Album, Volume II
John Barry Album: The Beyondness of Things,
recorded in London 1997. Soundtracks for more than 600 feature films, including: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Lilies of The Field
Cool Hand Luke
Dances with Wolves
City Slickers
Dennis The Menace
The Mirror Has Two Faces
Rosewood
The Mexican
Monsters, Inc.,
The Princess Diaries
Cars
Hotel for Dogs
Ratatouille
How The West Was Won
Windtalkers
Diner
Ocean's Thirteen
Fever Pitch
Without a Paddle
The Truth About Cats & Dogs
Arachnophobia
Miss Missouri
Blazing Saddles

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