TOM LIPPINCOTT
8 string - composer - teacher
Background and Education
I was born in New Jersey in 1966 and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I began playing trombone in sixth grade band and, after hearing Beatles records as a teenager, was inspired to take up guitar as well. I soon became interested in jazz and classical guitar and started taking lessons in both with Randy Wimer while in high school. I continued playing trombone throughout my first year of music school at the University of North Texas before finally switching to guitar. While at UNT, I studied under Jack Peterson, Phillip Hill, and Rick Peckham and received a bachelor's degree in jazz studies in 1988. In the fall of '88, I accepted a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Miami and moved to South Florida to become the school's jazz guitar TA. While attending U of M, I studied under Randall Dollahon, and, as a member of the concert jazz band, I performed with jazz greats Randy Brecker and Bob Mintzer. In 1990, I received a master's degree in jazz performance.
Since then, I have continued my studies by taking private lessons with guitar guru Mick Goodrick, and jazz drum great Ari Hoenig.
Throughout my professional career, I have taught lessons privately and have taught jazz guitar at Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University, and Miami's New World High School of the Arts. In 2002, I became an adjunct instructor at Miami/Dade College's Kendall Campus where I currently teach jazz improvisation, guitar ensemble, and private jazz guitar lessons. Since 2007, I have taught guitar ensemble and private lessons as an adjunct professor at Florida International University as well.
Performances
I've been performing in South Florida since 1990 as a freelance guitarist, playing gigs and recording I've also traveled to other areas of the U.S. to perform, as well as to the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. In addition to performing as a solo jazz and classical guitarist, I've led my own groups, including the Tom Lippincott Trio, and I was co-leader of the group Bluez Imbabwe with vocalist Adriana Samargia. In addition to my own trio, I also maintain memberships in several other jazz and improvised music groups, including The Chassidic Jazz Project, The Miami Jazz Quartet, and the Rucker/Lippincott Duo (with drummer Steve Rucker. I've had the opportunity to perform and/or record with such jazz luminaries as Ed Schuller, Don Friedman, Carlos Averhoff, Gary Campbell, John Stowell, Ben Monder, Jonathan Kreisberg, John Fedchock, and Dave Liebman, among others..
Recordings, Compositions, and Accolades
The 1990 release Extra Strength by the group Active Ingredient features my playing, as well as five of my compositions. I was the winner of the jazz category of Guitar Player Magazine's 1992 Ultimate Guitar Competition, and I was featured as artist of the month in the magazine's Spotlight column. In 2002 I received an honorable mention in the JazzConnect jazz competition for my solo guitar version of "Green Dolphin Street." I have one CD out with my trio, released in 2000, and entitled "Painting the Slow Train Brown."
The CD, which consists of my original post modern jazz compositions and performances features longtime collaborators Randy Ward on bass, John Yarling on drums, and special guest Nicole Yarling on violin.
http://www.tomlippincott.com/
