hicago (underground workers).Tom Tomei -blues harp
Tom Tomei - Blues Harp
Tom Tomei has been blowing harp way back since his college days the University of Illinois in Urbana back in the 1970's. Listening to a wide variety of music, he drew his inspiration to play harmonica from many noted blues, rock and country artists.
Back in those days, the late great Luther Allison performed regularly at Panama Red’s in Champaign, IL. After the peformance, Luther would often stick around to talk the blues with aspiring musicians and fans. Occassionally, Luther would invite the younger, aspiring blues musicians sit in with him for a song or two. Tom was one of those fortunate players who played with Luther.
A life changing event for Tom was going to the Muddy Waters concert at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago in the spring of 1977. Muddy had his legendary line-up from the Hard Again LP which included James Cotton on blues harp, Pine Top Perkins on keys, and a very subdued Johnny Winter on guitar. After witnessing the majic of that band, blues became a passion.
Playing harp took a back seat for a number of years while Tom worked and raised a family. Eventually, the nest emptied and Tom’s lovely wife Karen suggested he find a hobby. Around that time same co-worker, friend, and long time musician Mark Schiele mentioned that he might be looking for a harp player. Dozens of blown out harps, countless practice hours and many live blues performances, Tom's time has come.
Tom joined The Brothers of Absolution to help them deliver that Chicago style blues sound which had so moved him in those magical earlier years.
Groovin' in the 70's
With J.B. Ritchie