PIANIST

Tommy’s professional piano career commenced when he performed “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra at the ripe old age of 10. Yes he was a child prodigy.

1948-1951 - Played piano at the palace of the Shah of Iran for 3 years

1953-1954 - Solo broadcasts on ABC Radio (“Handful of Keys”)

1956-1971 - Band Leader and Musical Director at TV Channel 7

Tommy’s favourite piano solos as arranged by him and performed at many concerts and on many of his earlier records

“Concerto in F”, Gershwin
“Rhapsody in Blue” Gershwin
“Cole Porter Concerto”, based on three Cole Porter tunes
“Fantasia” (based on three Irving Berlin tunes), Berlin
“No Other Love” (symphonic arrangement), Rogers’
”Slaughter on 10th Avenue”, Rogers
“Macarthur Park” (Symphonic arrangement), Webb
“Charleston” (Winifred Atwell arrangement presented by her before she died)
“Begin the Beguine” (Symphonic arrangement), Porter
“Tiger Rag” (in the style of Art Tatum)
“Liza” (Gershwin) \ Tenderly (solo piano)
“Tea for Two”, Youmans
“Strange Music” (incorporating Grieg’s Piano Concerto)
“Lover” (theme and variation), Rogers