Tom Grant

Tom Grant Biography

Tom Grant (born 22 February 1946, Portland, Oregon) is an American smooth jazz pianst and vocalist. He is often referred to as the Pacific Northwest's most renowned musical artist. Tom Grant was born into a musical family -- his father was a tap dancer who owned a record store in Portland, Oregon, and his brother was an avant-garde jazz pianist (who went on to found the international Hare Krishna movement). At a young age, Grant learned to play piano and drums. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he travelled to New York City in 1970 with Native American saxophonist Jim Pepper. This led to Grant touring and recording with jazz greats Woody Shaw, Charles Lloyd, and Tony Williams. In 1976, Grant cut his first solo record for Timeless and in 1979 he formed his own band. Beginning in 1983, Tom Grant started recording a series of jazz-influenced pop albums that have variously been called "New Adult Contemporary," "Quiet Storm," "Contemporary Jazz" and "Smooth Jazz"; each have been best-sellers in the "lite jazz" market. Grant has been featured on CNN and has been a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In addition, Tom Grant has composed music for TV and radio.