Thomas Mackay

Thomas James Mackay
Born in 1967, in Oakland, Nebraska, Thomas Mackay is a native of the Midwest. He started his musical studies at the early age of five in piano and percussion. Mr. Mackay has mentored under Gordon Stout, bill Molenhof, and has studying Jazz and Classical percussion at the Birch Creek Music Academy, the University of North Dakota, and Casper College. He has playing in many different genres of music, from sharing the stage as a Mallet Percussionist with Jazz Artists as Clark Terry, David Valdez, Rob Schepps, to the Pychedelic worlds of Martin Fierro, ( Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messengers), Terry Haggerty, ( Son of Champlin), and Merle Saunders ( Jerry Garcia Band). As a Keyboardist and organist he has Performed and recorded with Reggae Legend Norma Fraser, and has played many other styles ranging from Big Band to Piano Bars, to funk Bands to singer songwriters. In 2009 he moved to southern oregon.

After a 8 year break from tour and recording as a vibist, due to hand problems, he was diagnosed with " Ciliac Desease," in April of 2012. By June of 2012 he had a remarkable recovery and Mr. Mackay formed " The Mackay Project," which is a ensemble that features his original Material and focuses on the more modern side of jazz. more groove oriented tunes ( breakbeat , hip hop, reggae and straight ahead jazz). In June of 2013 Mr. Mackay will be releasing his first Cd of The Mackay Project, " Jackson" under the Hammondbeat record label. Also, in 2013 while recording the first cd he had two weeks of down time and use that time to record yet another session of jazz standards. That recording will also be release under the hammondbeat label in the fall of 2013 "The Thomas Mackay Quintet," and will feature tenor sax player Bud Berlingeri. Bud was the original sax player of the Louie Prima band in the late 40's. This recording is a departure of Mr. Mackay's " four Mallet " work and concentrates on " two Mallets." This recording echos the recordings of Milt Jackson and Coleman Hawkins.

His most recent endeavour, Mr. Mackay saw a need to unify all the great jazz talent in the Rogue Valley, He formed " The Rogue Valley Jazz Collective," He was asked by the Medford Jazz Festival to host a twice a month jazz session in Medford, Oregon. These sessions will be the first public appearance for the jazz collective, and will feature guest artist and a host of the valley most talent players. " its an incredibly blessing to have my career back as a vibist, i thought I was done. Being Gluten Free has saved my life and now its time to give back.