Tom McClung was born on a little island off the coast of a big continent, into a family for which the joy of making music was important every day.
One can always expect the unexpected in a McClung performance. His ever-swinging piano style displays a wide spectrum of musical and emotional colors. Tom’s expressive touch, vivid imagination and playful humor present an exciting musical experience for all who listen.
Tom’s piano can be heard on recordings of saxophonists Yusef Lateef, Marion Brown, and Archie Shepp, with whom he has been appearing on international stages since 1996.
Tom McClung has released six albums as a leader or co-leader, showcasing his original compositions and arrangements.
After hearing his version of Bach’s Goldberg aria, director Patric Jean enlisted Tom to compose and perform music for his film D’un Mur l’Autre (Black Moon, 2008). In 2011 he released to critical acclaim This Is You (blang music), an album in duo with saxophonist Jean-Jacques Elangué.
His new album, Burning Bright, licensed by Archieball under the Rainbow Collection and distributed by Harmonia Mundi, came out on February 25th 2015.
Le bien nommé « Burning Bright », nouvel album du pianiste Tom McClung, dévoile dix de ses compositions et une reprise d'un classique de Mal Waldron, « Fire Waltz ». Le Feu, l'Eau, la Terre et l'Air, sont l'âme de ces morceaux. Ce nouveau disque en trio montre Tom McClung dans ses multiples explorations. Ses mélodies et ses rythmes sont contagieux, ses improvisations hardies. La musique originale de Tom McClung reflète son admiration pour les compositeurs et musiciens comme Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, et John Coltrane. La section rythmique est composée du bassiste hongrois Mátyás Szandai et du batteur franco-algérien Mourad Benhammou. Les trois partagent le même respect pour l'héritage de la musique noire-américaine. Ce trio international est l'expression même d'une liberté aux racines puissantes et profondes.