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 (see photos) 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 drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Eddie Gomez. Double Entendre, his second recording (U.S./Japan) was cited in Japan "for creating an ideal vocal form." His 1993 Concord recording, Taken to Heart, expanded into Brazilian music. His collaboration with Brazilian guitar master and composer, Toninho Horta, resulted in "Mountain Flight", (published in the Latin Real Book and CD) and continues today.Tom has been voted to the Down Beat International Critic's Poll, and dubbed by numerous writers and critics a "triple threat", and featured in Singing Jazz, The Singers and their Styles (Miller-Freeman Books, 1998).Tom's recording "Skylark", ("Top Vocal Jazz CD of 2002" by the International Association for Jazz Education Journal and was New York's WBGO's "Most requested record of 2002") consists 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. **This CD has been Re-issued on Adventure Music, July 21, 2009 and is finally widely available and recently announced as one of Jazziz Magazines 10 Best CD of 2009. Southern Exposure, (Jazziz Magzine’s “Best CDs of 2004” and Jazz Education Journal’s “Best Vocal CDs of 2004) is a collection of Brazilian/jazz with Horta, Dave Kikoski, Kenny Werner, and Romero LuBambo on Adventure Music. Avenue of the Americas, (Jazziz- “Critic’s Best CDs of 2006” and "Top Vocal CDs of 2006" -Jazz Education Journal) features all Tom’s facets and arranging creativity with Horta, Richard Bona and Gary Fisher."Tonight" Adventure Music (2008), a duo CD with Toninho Horta, was praised by the NY Times and video of their L.A. concerts posted on www.tomlellis.com and YouTube by Resonance Records as well as an ABC TV Christmas appearance.