Tom Roberts, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, is regarded by many as one
of the finest pianists today in the exciting Harlem stride piano style.
Roberts himself considers Harlem stride as only one of the many varied early
jazz piano styles he has mastered as evidenced on his new CD on Solo Art,
"Night Cap".
Educated in the public schools of Pittsburgh and at Duquesne University, he played with the premier bands of the city and held the position of house pianist at the famous Duquesne Club. In 1990, he toured with Leon Redbone, a tour that included an appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, which subsequently led to his moving to New Orleans. During his years in New Orleans, he quickly established himself as one of the most in-demand pianists of that most musical of cities. He worked steadily with such great bands as Jacques Gauthes' Creole Rice Jazz Band, Eddie Bayard's Steamboat Stompers on the steamboat "Natchez", Barry Wratten's Pelican Jazz Band, The Original Camelia Jazz Band, The Crescent City Rhythm Kings, Tim Laughlin's Jazz Band, and most importantly, The Silver Leaf Jazz Band. With the Silver Leaf Jazz Band, Roberts was chosen to participate in the reincarnation of the famous "Good Time Jazz" label, now part of Fantasy Records. In recent years, Tom has resumed his association with Leon Redbone and is currently touring with him as pianist and musical director.
Solo Art Records, which was formed in the mid-1930's, in announcing the release of Roberts' first solo CD stated : " Stride piano was the link between ragtime and the jazz piano styles that came later, and all the great jazz pianists of the 20's and 30's were proficient at it. James P. Johnson, Willie 'the Lion' Smith, and Fats Waller were the Big Three, but youngsters like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Art Tatum came along in their wake. Stride piano required imagination and pianistic skill beyond the reach of most pianists, and as time went on jazz piano and stride were no longer synonymous. Once in a great while someone comes along with the ability and interest to play stride piano. We are proud to have the opportunity to introduce Tom Roberts. We consider his new CD to be one of the finest solo piano recordings in the entire Solo Art catalogue. In short, this disc is truly a four-star session with some of the finest jazz piano you've heard in a long time."
In addition to his appearances on "The Tonight Show", Tom has performed on "The Statler Brothers Show", "A Prarie Home Companion", and numerous other music festivals throughout the world.
Mr. Roberts has 10 CDs to his credit and is currently working on his
second solo CD on Stomp Off Records devoted to the music of Luckey Roberts.