MY STORY

As a leader, vibraphonist Tom Beckham has released 4 CD’s to date: Suspicions, Center Songs, Rebound and a duo album with guitarist Brad Shepik entitled Flower Starter. He also performs on solo vibraphone. He also co-leads a quartet band with pianist Dred Scott called "Cali Mambo."

As a versatile sideman in New York for 30 years, Beckham has toured with/performed and/or recorded with a diverse list of groups including Brad Shepik's “Across the Way” quartet, George Schuller’s Circle Wide bands, JC Sanford’s Jazz Orchestra, lap steel guitarist Mike Neer, the Motown/Soul group The Soul Night Band; trombonist J. Walter Hawkes, the swing-era ensembles of Lapis Luna and Flying Home; Joseph C. Phillips’ Numinous Ensemble; the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP); pop/lounge artist Sylvia Black, as well as session work for film and TV such as PBS and HBO and has appeared on over 28 recordings to-date. In 2018 he was featured in the book "Masters of the Vibes" (Mostly Marimba Productions) by Anthony Smith along with his own heroes of the vibes such as Stefon Harris, Joe Locke, David Friedman, Warren Wolf, and many other great players. Tom earned his Bachelor’s Degree at the Berklee College of Music and is a former student of Gary Burton and Ed Saindon.

As an educator, Tom has given vibraphone and improvisation masterclasses/clinics in the US and Europe. In 2019 he was a featured clinician at the NYU/Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion in NYC. In addition to teaching private lessons, Tom is also an adjunct vibraphone instructor for the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School in New York City. Tom is also a Vic Firth artist and happily plays a set of Vic Firth M25 mallets.