Tom studied saxophone under Rob Buckland and Carl Raven at the Royal Northern College of Music. He was awarded a specialist Jazz Scholarship for postgraduate Study at RNCM, and continued his studies with Loose Tubes bassist Steve Berry along with jazz saxophonist/composer Tim Garland.
He has made a number of classical recordings under the Naxos label with RNCM’s award winning Wind Orchestra and Saxophone Orchestra. He continues to give recitals and make orchestral appearances as a classical saxophonist.
Tom’s career as a jazz soloist/composer has allowed him to performance and clubs, festivals and competitions all over the world. Writing and performing his own music is his passion and his portfolio of original projects has produced a growing list of accolades and achievements.
2011 – Shortlist finalist Presteigne Festival Composer’s Competition
2012 – Winner of RNCM Improvisation medal.
2013 – Shorlisted for Peter Whitingham Jazz Award
2016 – Grand Finalist at Taichung International Saxophone Competition
2017 – Winner of Best Instrumental Soloist, John Raducanu International Jazz Festival
Scroll down to see some of Tom’s original projects….
NEW PROJECT - ILUMETRIS
New concept album “Here, There be Monsters…” released in 2023. Intricate and emotive contemporary Jazz inspired by stories of Mythical creatures from around the world.
Tom Thorp – saxes/bass clarinet
Neil Yates – trumpet/flugelhorn
Andy Stamatakis-Brown – piano
Grant Russell – bass
John Arnesen – drums
PLUS – special performance from ‘Beowulf’ by Professor George Walkden.
Mixing – Lee Aston
Mastering – Brendan Williams
The Taka Ensemble
The Take Ensemble first began as part of a commission by the Howden Minster Concert Series in 2016, to write a suite of new music for their Summer Festival. The Minster wanted to celebrate the unique acoustic of this ancient abbey, and the rich history of Yorkshire’s East Riding which surrounds the Minster.
After a hiatus, The Taka Ensemble is BACK!
We are in rehearsal, developing some exciting new works, blending classical chamber music and contemporary jazz.
Featuring Rich Harrold (pno), Geth Griffith (bs), Graham Clark (von), Faz Shah (vln) Tim Rathbone (vla) and Lucy Mcluckie (cello) we will be releasing some exciting new material in 2024!
Polygon
Polygon: Tom’s saxophone quartet project, features a stellar line-up of internationally award winning saxophonists in Kyran Matthews, Jeff Guntren and Krzysztof Urbanski.
Their debut album Monkey Puzzle was launched at a special performance for the 2017 Manchester Jazz Festival.
Polygon’s compositions blend a generous spattering of influences from the chamber music of Bartok, Boulez and Stravinsky; the unique jazz voices of Ornette Coleman and Thelonius Monk; and heavily inspired by the powerful sound, fiery interplay and creative ensemble improvisation of the Axis and Artvark Sax Quartets.
Polygon are proud to be supported by D’Addario woodwinds.
Mercury
Mercury started life in 2012, when they were final year students at the Royal Northern College of Music. After supporting Robert Glasper Trio, they officially launched at the 2012 Manchester Jazz Festival. Their first album Mercury:[LP] in 2013 saw them take a debut UK Tour, visiting RNCM, King’s Place, The Beacon, Jersey and Southport Jazz Festivals, alongside art centres and clubs across the UK. It also saw them nominated for the Peter Whitingham Jazz Award. 2016 saw Mercury expand to a 5 piece line up, welcoming Richard Jones to the fold and the release of second album Sea Speak. The Sea Speak tour included a sell out launch at Manchester’s Band on the Wall, critical acclaim from reveiwer’s for gigs and record alike plus an ever increasing catalogue of new material, developing the bands sound, blending the aesthetics and language of contemporary jazz with flavours of grunge, folk, electronic and classical music.
“Mercury always engage. Energetic grooves mix with warmth and lyricism – a perfect combination.” Gwilym Simcock
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