TOM DEMPSEY

Guitarist Tom Dempsey’s reputation in the New York jazz scene for hard swinging
sophistication and pure musicality has made him a distinct voice in the New York Jazz Scene. In
recent years Tom has performed and/or recorded with a virtual "Who’s Who" of world-renowned
jazz musicians including: Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Jim Hall, John Abercrombie,
John Scofield, Tal Farlow, Buddy Montgomery, George Coleman, Kenny Barron, Roy Haynes,
Jack McDuff, Bobby McFerrin, Gerald Wilson, Mel Torme, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Dave
Brubeck. He has recorded seven CDs as a leader: Likely Story (Tom Dempsey Music), Waltz
New (Origin Records), Saucy (Planet Arts Records), Beautiful Friendship (Planet Arts Records),
What’s Going On (City Tone Records), Perspectives (Imaginary Records), Blues in the Slope
(Igmod Records), If Only We Knew (Self Release). Tom has also recorded as a sideman on many
recordings. Since 1992, Tom has been performing as a leader and a sideman at some of the top
jazz venues throughout the world, including the JVC Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, San
Francisco Jazz Festival, The Blue Note, Yoshi’s, Smalls, and Smoke. In 2012, Dempsey
performed on behalf of the United States State Department as a Music Ambassador throughout
the country of Tunisia.
Dempsey has worked extensively with tap dancing virtuoso Savion Glover in Bring in
‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk as well as in live concerts. He has made numerous appearances on
New York radio and television, including performances on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and the
HBO series Sex and the City. Tom is an Artist Endorsee for Thomastik-Infeld Strings.
Along with his active performing career, Tom Dempsey’s talent as a composer is
receiving noteworthy attention. Because of his distinctive sound and style, Dempsey’s music
has been described as having "fine compositional ability and stylistic accessibility." His music
has been featured on his recordings as well as television and radio programs throughout the
world, including the HBO hit series Sex and the City.
Tom’s deep commitment to education has made him a highly sought-after educator and
clinician. He is a Professor of Music at CUNY – LaGuardia Community College, where he
serves as the Director of the Music Performance Program. Dempsey is also a member of the
teaching faculty at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The New York Jazz Academy, and CUNY – City
College of New York.
His books Jazz Eras for Guitar, Easy Soloing for Jazz Guitar, Guitar 101 Books 1 and 2,
Sight-Reading for the Contemporary Guitarist and Classic Jazz Styles for Guitar are available
through Alfred Music and Workshop Arts. In 2011, Dempsey became a teaching artist with
TrueFire. He has produced twelve critically acclaimed videos including: Jazz Discovery
Volumes 1-3, My Guitar Heroes Jazz Comping Playbook, 30 Jazz Progressions You Must Know,
Jazz Scales Handbook, 30 Jazz Arpeggio Licks You Must Know, 50 Licks of the Jazz Guitar
Masters That You Must Know, 50 Licks of the Soul Jazz Guitar Masters That You Must Know
and Fretboard Phenom. Dempsey co-produced and served as the musical consultant for Nature
of Guitar by Pat Martino.

“I love his playing. Great Tunes, terrific solos and careful listening. Tom Dempsey does it all
and swings. "

Jim Hall
Guitarist

“Tom’s great improvisation and melodic interpretations simply sparkle and are played with
wonderful groove, sometimes biting, sometimes bluesy, always on the money. "

Gene Bertoncini
Guitarist

“...inventive, straight ahead and swinging. (Dempsey) shows how creative the modern
mainstream of jazz remains in the 21st century.”
Scott Yanow
Jazz Journalist/Author

“...straight ahead modern jazz with a bluesy soulful tinge...a vivaciousness to the music that
keeps drawing attention."

Dale Smoak
Cadence Magazine
"...a fine guitarist with versatility, chops, and emotive depth."
David R. Adler
All Music Guide

“The groove is always present, and the solos are melodic. Dempsey’s sound is clear and full."

Eric Elias
Just Jazz Guitar.

“(Dempsey) provides a superb overview of the jazz guitar’s varied sounds.”

Andy Ellis
Guitar Player Magazine

Guitarist Tom Dempsey’s reputation in the New York jazz scene for hard swinging sophistication and pure musicality has made him a distinct voice in the New York Jazz Scene. In recent years Tom has performed and/or recorded with a virtual "Who’s Who" of world-renowned jazz musicians including: Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, Tal Farlow, Buddy Montgomery, George Coleman, Kenny Barron, Roy Haynes, Jack McDuff, Bobby McFerrin, Gerald Wilson, Mel Torme, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Dave Brubeck. He has recorded seven CDs as a leader: Likely Story (Tom Dempsey Music), Waltz New (Origin Records), Saucy (Planet Arts Records), Beautiful Friendship (Planet Arts Records), What’s Going On (City Tone Records), Perspectives (Imaginary Records), Blues in the Slope (Igmod Records), If Only We Knew (Self Release). Tom has also recorded as a sideman on many recordings. Since 1992, Tom has been performing as a leader and a sideman at some of the top jazz venues throughout the world, including the JVC Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, San Francisco Jazz Festival, The Blue Note, Yoshi’s, Smalls, and Smoke. In 2012, Dempsey performed on behalf of the United States State Department as a Music Ambassador throughout the country of Tunisia. Dempsey has worked extensively with tap dancing virtuoso Savion Glover in Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk as well as in live concerts. He has made numerous appearances on New York radio and television, including performances on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and the HBO series Sex and the City. Tom is an Artist Endorsee for Thomastik-Infeld Strings. Along with his active performing career, Tom Dempsey’s talent as a composer is receiving noteworthy attention. Because of his distinctive sound and style, Dempsey’s music has been described as having "fine compositional ability and stylistic accessibility." His music has been featured on his recordings as well as television and radio programs throughout the world, including the HBO hit series Sex and the City. Tom’s deep commitment to education has made him a highly sought-after educator and clinician. He is a Professor of Music at CUNY – LaGuardia Community College, where he serves as the Director of the Music Performance Program. Dempsey is also a member of the teaching faculty at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The New York Jazz Academy, and CUNY – City College of New York. His books Jazz Eras for Guitar, Easy Soloing for Jazz Guitar, Guitar 101 Books 1 and 2, Sight-Reading for the Contemporary Guitarist and Classic Jazz Styles for Guitar are available through Alfred Music and Workshop Arts. In 2011, Dempsey became a teaching artist with TrueFire. He has produced twelve critically acclaimed videos including: Jazz Discovery Volumes 1-3, My Guitar Heroes Jazz Comping Playbook, 30 Jazz Progressions You Must Know, Jazz Scales Handbook, 30 Jazz Arpeggio Licks You Must Know, 50 Licks of the Jazz Guitar Masters That You Must Know, 50 Licks of the Soul Jazz Guitar Masters That You Must Know and Fretboard Phenom. Dempsey co-produced and served as the musical consultant for Nature of Guitar by Pat Martino. “I love his playing. Great Tunes, terrific solos and careful listening. Tom Dempsey does it all and swings. " Jim Hall Guitarist “Tom’s great improvisation and melodic interpretations simply sparkle and are played with wonderful groove, sometimes biting, sometimes bluesy, always on the money. " Gene Bertoncini Guitarist “...inventive, straight ahead and swinging. (Dempsey) shows how creative the modern mainstream of jazz remains in the 21st century.” Scott Yanow Jazz Journalist/Author “...straight ahead modern jazz with a bluesy soulful tinge...a vivaciousness to the music that keeps drawing attention." Dale Smoak Cadence Magazine "...a fine guitarist with versatility, chops, and emotive depth." David R. Adler All Music Guide “The groove is always present, and the solos are melodic. Dempsey’s sound is clear and full." Eric Elias Just Jazz Guitar. “(Dempsey) provides a superb overview of the jazz guitar’s varied sounds.” Andy Ellis Guitar Player Magazine