Tom Spahn
| Tom Spahn | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Thomas G. Spahn July 30, 1955 Park Forest, Illinois, US |
| Occupation | Musician, orchestrator, audio engineer |
| Years active | 1973–present |
Thomas G. ("Tom") Spahn (born July 30, 1955) is a three-time Emmy Award winner[1][2][3][4] and nominee[5][6] as well as 1996 Grammy Award nominee[7][8] American composer and musician born in Park Forest, Illinois and currently residing in New York City. Spahn was the longtime musical director and arranger for Eartha Kitt and has worked with musicians and composers including Edgar and Johnny Winter, John Pizzarelli, Carol Burnett, Frank Oz, Liza Minnelli, Galt McDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Don Sebesky, Don Pippin, Colin Romoff, Frank Loesser, Nancy LaMott, Eddie Fisher, and many others.
Biography
Tom started schooling at Blackhawk Elementary in Park Forest, Illinois from 1960 to 1968. After elementary school, he attended Rich East Township High School (also in Park Forest) from 1969 to 1973. Upon graduation from high school he enrolled in the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL until finding that the school offered little musical education. Disenchanted with the musical offerings at the university, he pursued his musical passions by joining a popular musical group, The Wright Brothers, and toured the United States for several years before settling in New York City.
In New York City, Tom evolved from a musician, to vocal coach, audio engineer, musical director, orchestrator, producer, and composer. Tom operated Nola Recording Studios, Studio B, as a MIDI studio for many years, engineering and producing for Broadway theater, opera, musicals, television, radio, and movies. Tom is currently working at Sesame Street Studios in Manhattan.
Discography
- Bonnie Lee Sanders, A Seasoned Woman
- 2008 Grammy nominated, Recording & Restoration of Dizzie Gilespie’s, “South American State Department Tour” 3 CD Set
Videography
- Sid & Nancy, John Cale
- Something Wild, Jonathan Demme
- Mistress, Galt MacDermot/ Robert De Niro
Musicals
Tom functioned a Musical Director and Orchestrator or Composer on numerous musicals, including the following:
- Battle of the Giants – by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- Real Life Funnies – by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- City of Light – Composer
- Cairo – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- Sam Gray – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- Broadway Moon – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- The Road to Hollywood,[9] by Michael Pace & Rob Preston – Musical Director and Orchestrator
Vocal Coach
Over the years Tom has been a vocal coach to the following notables
- Divine for "Hair Spray – The Movie"
- Eartha Kitt
- Nancy LaMott
- Ramona Brooks
- Gotham
References
- ↑ "The Society of Composers & Lyricists". 2005 Emmy Award.
- ↑ "Emmy Award". Emmy Award. New York City Mayor's Office.
- ↑ "The Secrets To Getting The Job You Want in Entertainment Production! with Tom Spahn". Music Industry News Network. Music Industry News Network. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ↑ 2005, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Award
- ↑ 2004, 2008, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Nominations
- ↑ Spahn, Tom (March 4, 2004). "Emmy nomination". Variety.
- ↑ Kitt, Eartha "Back in Business" CD – 1996 Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Tom Spahn synthesizer programming Grammy Award nominee
- ↑ "CD Universe". CD Universe. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ↑ GUSSOW, MEL. "STAGE: MUSICAL 'ROAD'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
External links
- 32nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
- Internet Movie Database
- Variety
- The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting
- Society of Composers and Lyricists