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Tom Lellis

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Tom Lellis began singing professionally at the age of 15. By age 21, he was working on bills with Ray Charles and Gregory Hines and a 15-piece big band. After 9 years as a stand up singer, Tom began intensive piano studies. Three years later he was singing, playing and opening for Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Jimmy Smith and other jazz greats. As a lyricist, he first put words to and recorded works by McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck and others. Tom's debut album was released on Inner City Records in 1981 and became an instant fixture in London's jazz disco's where thousands danced to "Lucky Southern". The album featured world-class musicians, drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Eddie Gomez. Double Entendre, his second album with these same great musicians was released in 1991 in the U.S. and in Japan where the press cited him "for creating an ideal vocal form." The album subsequently received a 5-star rating from many online reviewers.

With the release of his 1993 Concord recording, Taken to Heart, Tom's interests expanded into Brazilian music. His collaboration with Brazilian guitar master and composer, Toninho Horta, resulted in "Mountain Flight" which has been further published in the Latin Real Book and CD.

Tom has been voted to the Down Beat International Critic's Poll, and dubbed by numerous writers and critics a "triple threat", Singing Jazz, The Singers and their Styles (Miller-Freeman Books, 1998) quotes him extensively.

Tom's recording "Skylark" was named The "Top Vocal Jazz CD of 2002" by the International Association of Jazz Education Journal and was New York's WBGO's "Most requested record of 2002". The CD of his original works, lyrics and concepts with the 52-piece, stringed, Netherlands Metropole Orchestra conducted by John Clayton and arranged by Grammy winner, Vince Mendoza and others is in release.

Southern Exposure was named Jazziz Magzine’s “Best CDs of 2004” and the Jazz Education Journal’s “Best Vocal CDs of 2004.” It is a collection of Brazilian/jazz with Horta, Dave Kikoski, Kenny Werner, and Romero Lubambo on Adventure Music.

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200
Album Review

Tom Lellis: Avenue Of The Americas

Read "Avenue Of The Americas" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Jazz vocalist Tom Lellis' Avenue of the Americas is at least partially a midsummer's valentine to the music of Brazil, and those tracks represent the finest aspect of this album. Lellis, who began recording in 1979 on Inner City Records, has only a handful of albums to show for the passing decades. His 1993 Concord album Taken To Heart first teamed him with Brazilian guitarist and composer Toninho Horta and exposed his interest in the music of that country. Horta ...

187
Album Review

Tom Lellis: Avenue of the Americas

Read "Avenue of the Americas" reviewed by Dr. Judith Schlesinger


Tom Lellis is a bold, innovative musician with a supple voice and distinctive style. While he's not your cookie-cutter crooner, he's still fully capable of inducing swoons in his female listeners (see “Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" for evidence). This track also demonstrates some of what makes Lellis an original: his ability to combine different songs as if they always belonged together.

For example, he sings “I Get a Kick out of You" over the chords for “Baubles," and later weds ...

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74

Performance / Tour

Tom Lellis QuartetAtThe Jazz Standard Monday, August 28th 7:30pm & 9:30pm

Tom Lellis QuartetAtThe Jazz Standard Monday, August 28th 7:30pm  & 9:30pm

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Tom Lellis Quartet Featuring: Gary Fisher, p. Ed Howard, b. Ernesto Simpson, d. Appearing At The Jazz Standard 116 E. 27th St NYC (212) 576-2232

Monday, August 28. 2006 7:30pm & 9:30pm Performing Music From His New CD Avenue of the Americas is the critically-acclaimed singer and multi- instrumentalist Tom Lellis's newest recording. Joined by world renowned musicians including Toninho Horta and Richard Bona, Tom sings his lyrics to works by Pat ...

94

Performance / Tour

Tom Lellis "Avenue of the Americas" CD Release at Sweet Rhythm Tuesday, June 27 Sets at 8 & 9:30pm

Tom Lellis "Avenue of the Americas" CD Release at Sweet Rhythm Tuesday, June 27 Sets at 8 & 9:30pm

Source: All About Jazz

Tuesday, June 27

TOM LELLIS at Sweet Rhythm 88 Seventh Avenue South Phone 212-255-3626 for reservations Sets at 8 & 9:30pm http://www.sweetrhythmny.com

Celebrating The Release Of His New CD

Tom Lellis Avenue of the Americas Beamtide BT 1013 Street Date: June 20, 2006

Avenue of the Americas, is a satisfying assortment of jazz, Brazilian and popular music, showcasing the critically acclaimed vocalist/multi-instrumentalist's ...

123

Performance / Tour

Tom Lellis at Sweet Rhythm Tuesday, June 27 Sets at 8 & 9:30pm

Tom Lellis at Sweet Rhythm Tuesday, June 27 Sets at 8 & 9:30pm

Source: All About Jazz

TOM LELLIS at Sweet Rhythm 88 Seventh Avenue South Phone 212-255-3626 for reservations Sets at 8 & 9:30pm

Celebrating The Release Of His New CD

Tom Lellis Avenue of the Americas Beamtide BT 1013 Street Date: June 20, 2006

Tom Lellis's latest release, Avenue of the Americas, is a satisfying assortment of jazz, Brazilian and popular music, showcasing the critically acclaimed vocalist/multi- instrumentalist's considerable ...

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