I am located in Springfield, Illinois and will travel throughout the midwest and particularly the Central Illinois area. The Trio can easily expand to up to 7 pieces and we play mostly standards and jazz but can mix in a little country and rock n roll.
The Swing Street Jazz Ensemble offers standard jazz tunes and some original pieces and unique arrangements. I have also substituted with the Riverboat 5 + 1 and will be performing on a regular basis with the Springfield bebop group "Thornebyrds". Two or three times a month I perform with the Don Smith Band which concentrates on dance music.
My education is in music, business and law. My "day job" is music performance in the "Old Time Piano Show" format. Senior centers, nursing homes and special events take up most of the week days and each show can be customized to the specific needs of the venue. Many years have been spent as a private piano and music theory teacher and church musician. I have played for the Central Illinois Jazz Festival, Illinois State Fair, various art receptions and numerous private parties. Private events are the most favored but the trio has a wide popular draw to fill most any venue.
Recordings include "Child's Play" 1996; "My Favorite Things" 1998; and "From the Heart" 2002. The next recording project is an Old Time Piano Show disc that will be offered on the web and at performances.
THE TRIO
Tom Fatten - Bass: Tom was born in Aurora, Illinois and started performing at the age of nine. He plays bass, trumpet and piano. He attended Illinois State University as a Music Major and has a Masters in Music Theory. Tom has taught school at the secondary and university levels and has been recognized for his compositions at numerous collegiate jazz festivals.
Performances include the Illinois Symphony, Guy Lombardo band, Tony Barron, Jim Markum and Johnnie Kay big bands. Tom has played cruises on Celebrity, Carnival and Norweian cruise lines and has spent many years with the Alternatives Big Band of bloomington, Illinois. He now performs with the Brian Choban Quintet and plays as a singles pianist in addition to this trio.
Tom received a grant for composition and recording for his original score to a stage play "Jumping Mouse". He has served as Music director for a number of community musical events, and was a founding member as well as the first President and Music Director for the State Farm Employees Association Big Band.
Gary Niehaus - Drums: Gary has a Masters in Music and has taught in high school and as an adjunct instrumental teacher at LincolnLand community College. Gary is the principle percussionist for Riverboat 5+1 and is involved in Municipal Band and several other groups.
MY OTHER FRIENDS
The bonus to being involved in music in the Springfield area is the opportunity to play with and become friends with many other talented musicians. Trying not to leave anyone out - here is a sampling of the people who perform with me from time to time.
Don Udey - Trumpet
Don Dunham - vocals
Bob White - Sax
Don Smith - (the Don Smith Band)
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- Friday, September 3
10:30 am
- Old Time Piano Show
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Bickford House:
Quincy, IL
(MAP)
- Friday, September 3
2:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Good Samaritan Home:
Quincy, IL
(MAP)
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- Monday, September 6
10:00 am
- Old Time Piano Show
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McLean County Nursing Home:
Normal, IL
(MAP)
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- Tuesday, September 7
2:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Heritage Manor:
Springfield, IL
(MAP)
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- Wednesday, September 8
10:30 am
- Old Time Piano Show
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Hillsboro Rehab:
Hillsboro, IL
(MAP)
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- Wednesday, September 8
2:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Wyndcrest:
Rochester, IL
(MAP)
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- Wednesday, September 8
5:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Montvale Estates:
Springfield, IL
(MAP)
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- Thursday, September 9
5:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Hickory Glen:
Springfield, IL
(MAP)
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- Friday, September 10
2:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Maple Ridge:
Lincoln, IL
(MAP)
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- Friday, September 10
10:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Morton Villa:
Morton, IL
(MAP)
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- Saturday, September 11
7:00 pm
- Don Smith Band
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Emerson Community Center:
Quincy, IL
(MAP)
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- Saturday, September 18
1:30 pm
- Fine Arts Fair
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Edwards Place:
700 N. 4th, Springfield, IL
(MAP)
- I will be at the fair from 1:30 to 2:30
22nd Annual Edwards Place Fine Art Fair
Saturday, September 18 - 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, September 19 - 10 am to 4 pm
• • • FREE ADMISSION • • •
On September 18 and 19, 2010, the Springfield Art Association will host its 22nd Annual Edwards Place Fine Art Fair. A family-friendly community event, the Edwards Place Fine Art Fair provides a park-like setting in downtown Springfield for juried fine art and craft artists from around the nation to display and sell their original works of art.
Annually, the Fine Art Fair attracts more than 5,000 people to the historic grounds of Edwards Place to enjoy a free weekend of art and entertainment.
• • • Fine Art Fair Links • • •
Gallery of Artists
Sponsorship Opportunities for 2010 Fair
Information for 2010 Artists
Artists of the 2010 Fair
See the Artists of 2009 Fair
Schedule of Events from 2009 Fair
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- Thursday, September 2
1:15 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Mason City Nursing Home:
Mason City, IL
(MAP)
- Wednesday, September 1
7:00 pm
- Don Smith Quartet
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Brenden Gardens:
Springfield, IL
(MAP)
- Wednesday, September 1
1:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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UAW Home:
Pekin, IL
(MAP)
- Tuesday, August 31
7:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Jerseyville Rehab:
Jerseyville, IL
(MAP)
- Tuesday, August 31
1:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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United Methodist Village:
Godfrey, IL
(MAP)
- Monday, August 30
2:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Garden Place:
Columbia, IL
(MAP)
- Saturday, August 28
12:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Montvale Estates:
Springfield, IL
(MAP)
- Friday, August 27
4:00 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Lutheran Hillside:
Peoria Heights, IL
(MAP)
- Friday, August 27
2:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Grand Victorian:
Washington, IL
(MAP)
- Thursday, August 26
5:30 pm
- Old Time Piano Show
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Auburn Nursing Home:
Auburn, IL
(MAP)
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