This impromptu short videoclip was taken some years ago at an informal Music & Drama evening at Plymouth College, where Tom was a  student. While it's a little bit dark - perhaps deliberately to recreate the ambiance of a jazz club somewhere - Tom's performance of one of his Grade 2 ABRSM Jazz Pieces, On-Off Boogie, especially his improvisation, not only captures the atmosphere to perfection, but also seems to be a big hit with his classmates!

Tom, in fact, had already passed a number of classical piano grades when he first started his lessons with Philip, but it seemed clear that this wasn't really where Tom's heart was. A quick 'conversion' to jazz definitely did the trick, Tom passed his first two jazz grades with Distinction, and lessons seem fun once more!

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Musician and Music Writer
Philip R Buttall
Teaching