Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Thomas Bergeron isn't the first jazz musician to draw from a background in classical music, but unlike attempts by others, his debut album “the first of all my dreams was of” manages to marry classical and jazz music-making without betraying the heart of either. Inspired by the piano music of Claude Debussy and a special affinity for chamber music, the project is based around Thomas' belief that Debussy fans are inherently jazz fans and jazz fans are inherently Debussy fans, whether they know it or not.
Thomas Bergeron is respected as an artist who gracefully combines a thorough classical training with a profound reverence for the improvisatory traditions of jazz and world music. His unique blend of musical experiences have shaped an exquisite and distinguished sound and a genuine creative voice.
His playing has graced concert halls and recording studios across North America, Europe, and Asia with small and large jazz groups, symphony orchestras, chamber groups, contemporary music ensembles, and as a soloist. Thomas currently holds positions with the Radio City Orchestra of New York, the Springfield Symphony, the Berkshire Symphony, and performs frequent jazz engagements in New York City. He can be heard on the Naxos, Bridge, and Koch record labels in addition to his debut solo album on Daywood Drive Records.
Mr. Bergeron recently completed two graduate degrees in Trumpet Performance from Yale, where he received the John Swallow Award for excellence in brass playing and won the Woolsey Hall Concerto Competition. As an educator Thomas has held positions at Yale College, Williams College, Amherst College, and Bennington College, and created the “Music and Creative Writing” program in New Haven's inner-city schools. As a champion of the progressive new music movement, Thomas has commissioned and premiered numerous pieces and co-founded of the Reveille Trumpet Collective.
Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Currently on faculty at Williams College
Has held teaching positions at Bennington College, Amherst
College, Deerfield Academy, and the Hartsbrook School
Created the "Music and Creative Writing" program in New
Haven's inner-city schools (grades 6-8)
