Tomkats Jazz Orchestra

Since 1985, The TomKats Jazz Orchestra has been entertaining jazz and swing fans throughout the west coast of Florida. The band plays jazz, blues, and jazz-rock fusion. The band consists of a full jazz orchestra complement of 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, bass, guitar, and vocalists. The Tomkats’ broad repertoire of well over 600 tunes ranges from the arrangements of the great big bands such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Woody Herman, through progressive styles of Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich to the modern big band sounds of Gordon Goodwin’s Phat Band, as well as a variety of Brazilian and Cuban jazz. 
Many of the band’s performances feature unique arrangements of jazz standards and original tunes written by band members. Our most recent CD release, 2013’s “Live at the Hideaway” contains examples of original arrangements, vocal performances, and improvised jazz solos in a variety of styles by some of the best jazz soloists in the Tampa Bay area.
Unlike many other big bands, which occasionally get together to play single events, the TomKats are a working big band, being in residence in locations throughout Pinellas County over the years. Currently we are performing every Monday night from 7:00 to 9:30 at the Blue Parrot Café on St. Pete Beach. We have been at the Blue Parrot for the last 4 years. Before that we were the Thursday night house band at the Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island for over a decade.
In addition to our weekly performances, we play local festivals and events.  In October 2014, we were the Saturday opening act at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The TomKats were the orchestra for Swingin’ the New Year at the St. Petersburg Coliseum this past New Year’s Eve, and have been featured performers at the annual Treasure Island Blues Festival, and the Sanding Ovations sand castle festival. The band also plays a wide variety of other private and public functions.