Tom Barford is a London based saxophonist/composer described by Evan Parker as "A new star in the Jazz firmament." Tom has received international acclaim from his recent debut album Bloomer picking up many glistening 4 star reviews from Jazzwise Magazine, All About Jazz, Written in Music and UK Vibe. Tom has also enjoyed playing the music of Bloomer across the UK over the past 4 months in venues such as Kings Place, Turner Sims Concert Hall and The Stables. Fulfilling the producer roll in the studio for Bloomer was the great Iain Ballamy. Tom had the privilege of studying with Iain Ballamy at the Royal Academy of Music and now looks upon him for inspiration and advice so the decision to ask Iain to produce the Bloomer came naturally to Tom. Tom also co-leads a cordless quartet with Alex Hitchcock, James Maddren and Ferg Ireland.
Aside form leading his own projects Tom has worked extensively as a sideman in bands such as the Gareth Lockrane Big Band, the Guy Barker Big Band (with special guest Billy Cobham) and has enjoyed touring the UK with US heavy-weights Jeff Williams and Bill McHenry. Tom is looking forward to recording in 2019 with the Tom Syson Group, The Barry Green Sextet and touring Spain with the Alberto Palau Group.
?Tom's writing for this band has been described by Evan Parker as "wonderfully intricate and demanding and yet is exuberantly listenable". Dowbeat also wrote "Excellent compositions". Tom draws on compositional influences such as Mark Lockheart, John Scofield, Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, Troyka and Iain Ballamy to create a set of music unlike anything on the UK Jazz Scene today. This evening Tom will be showcasing Bloomer for the very last time as this is the last date of the Bloomer UK tour so be sure come and celebrate the with Tom and the Band.
https://www.tombarford.com/