World-renowned drummer Tommy Campbell plays his first local concert in several decades. Born in Norristown and raised in Willow Grove, Tommy is the nephew of Hammond organ jazz pioneer, Jimmy Smith, who bought Tommy his first set of drums. He has circled the globe, touring with legendary jazz performers that include trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonist Sonny Rollins, guitarists John McLaughlin, and Tommy’s boyhood friend, bandmate, and college roommate from his 2nd through 4th years, Kevin Eubanks. Tommy has also toured with vibraphonist Gary Burton and the vocal group Manhattan Transfer. He moved to New York City, in 1988, then relocated to Tokyo, in 1998. He was based in Japan for 13 years, working as a resident artist and educator, while still gigging in NYC and touring Europe. Tommy continues to have a large, loyal fan base in Japan.
Joining Tommy on stage tonight are local residents Noah Jarrett (bass) and Bill Gottshall (piano).
Noah Jarrett is a double bassist, composer, and teacher. He performs many styles of jazz and music from the world. He writes and plays with his groups The Inbetweens, Triage, and his sextet Knu Gmoon Project. He also performs with world-renowned Malian kora virtuoso, Mamadou Diabate, and Brooklyn Qawwali Party, an urban brass band that plays the music of sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Noah lives in Bucks County, PA with his wife, Joy, and his two daughters.
Telford resident Bill Gottshall is a music educator, composer, and arranger. He has performed jazz, rock, Irish folk & popular music, as well as Broadway show music. He has written the music & lyrics for six musical plays, plus he wrote & directed the dramatic play, “A Fast Train to Heaven.” For 10 years, Bill was a staff composer for two closely-related non-profit corporations: Arts for Anyone and Global Neighborhood. On three separate visits to Istanbul, Turkey, he served as a composer-in-residence in an artist exchange program. Bill’s biggest claim to fame is that he was Tommy Campbell’s 1st year roommate at Berklee College of Music, in 1975-76, before being dumped for Kevin Eubanks. Bill finds great consolation in being married to the wonderfully talented Beverly Brown.