Check out Tom Mein’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Mein.

Tom is a full-time working guitarist and teacher with 40+ yrs. playing and 25+ yrs. private teaching experience. Born in the Detroit area, he grew up listening to and playing a wide variety of music, from Motown to Jazz to Rock to Punk and everything in between. Since moving to Arizona, Tom has played with many top musicians, bands, and singers in the Valley, and always looks forward to doing so when the opportunity arises.

Tom performs solo, both in public venues and for private engagements, playing his own music as well as instrumental interpretations of rock, pop and jazz standards. He is also actively involved in several other exciting musical projects:

~ Guitarist in rockabilly band “56”
~ Guitarist with singer Amber Rogers in the Amber and Tom Duo
~ Guitarist and front man of instrumental rock trio the Shuddups
~ Guitarist and front man of instrumental trio the NEXT band
~ Long-time host of the Valley’s most popular weekly jam session -The NextBand Jam at Tailgater’s in Glendale
~ Guitarist for Glendale Community College Faculty Big Band
~ Regular sub guitar with local bands like the The Lucky Devils, Chris Parker Project, Rebecca DeLaTorre Band, Slik 50, Whiskey Kiss, Frosty and the Silvertones, etc.
~ Session work for various recording artists including Elizabeth Tighe, Colorblind, Michael McDounough, etc.

as well as various fill-in gigs throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Tom has done recording and live music clinics at the Conservatory for Recording Arts in Gilbert, worked in the house bands at the Jackrabbit Lounge and the Skye Lounge, fronted a jazz/pop trio, played in an original rock band, played in a metal band, played as worship team guitarist for 4 yrs., and been called upon for many sideman gigs with artists t/o the area. Artists Tom has worked for and within the past include Lee Oskar of War, Crayon Sky, the Vibe, Floor 13, the Kip Fox band, the Tim Sealy Band, Time Bomb, the Sharett Miller Duo, and more.

Tom has been teaching private guitar lessons for 25 years. Currently he teaches at Desert Ridge Music Academy where he gives private lessons on guitar, electric bass, and ukelele, and teaches several Rock Band classes. Tom is lucky to have some great students and ex-students, whom he counts as some of his closest friends, of which many have gone on to play professionally.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I write record and perform music about things that interest, fascinate, amuse, or move me in some way, My music can be inspired by lots of things:
~ the musicians I have looked up to over the years
~ musicians and singers I have played with
~ my family and friends
~ subjects that interest me
~ movies and tv shows (I love soundtrack music)
I try to create music that is fun, interesting and different. Middle of the road, formulaic pop is boring to me. I try to make music that makes people think, or laugh, or groove. Music should make you feel things. My playing reflects my personality: outgoing, in your face, looking to make you smile.

How can artists connect with other artists?
Network. Every week I host the Next Band Jam, an open mic jam session at Tailgaters in Glendale. This has been a great opportunity for me to meet and play with other musicians throughout the Valley. The music world is small and after a few years, if you work a lot, you wind up meeting everyone. Support your friends in the business and they will support you.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can come see me play by checking my schedule at www.tommein.com. I have several regular gigs throughout the Valley. Support my work by coming to see me play, buying a 56 or Next Band CD, and having fun!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tommein.com , www.amberandtom.com , www.nextbandjam.com , www.shuddups.com, www.56rocks.com
• Phone: 6023673865
• Email: thomasmein@gmail.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/tommeinguitar

Image Credit:
Mark Spoerner – photographer

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