Tom Bernett's
Drums and Vocals Demo Page
More than 30 years of professional experience
GIGS DESIRED
Home.....History.....Experience.....Styles.....Equipment
Drum Examples.....Vocal Examples.....Gigs?
Drums and Vocals Demo Page
More than 30 years of professional experience
GIGS DESIRED
Home.....History.....Experience.....Styles.....Equipment
Drum Examples.....Vocal Examples.....Gigs?
Seeking Gigs
I'm available for work anywhere in the central Carolinas. I'm comfortable with many styles and would welcome permanent or fill-in work with: Big Bands, Jazz Combos, Oldies-Beach Music, Dixieland, Swing Bands, or Variety Groups.
Jazz
I grew up playing jazz in northern Indiana and south Chicago. Consequently, I'm very much at home with jazz groups of all sizes, especially mainstream groups. After more than thirty years of experience, I've developed an appreciation and awareness of audiences and dancers, so Avant Garde jazz forms are not as appealing to me; I like to play stuff that average people can relate to.
Consequently, a nice mainstream jazz group that knows how to play for the audience would be a nice situation to find. The chance to sing a few tunes would be a bonus. Of course, a kickin' Big Band is always a top goal, and Fusion with good horn players is also great. I would welcome an opportunity to play with a polished dixieland group (I spent a couple years in New Orleans). Even a strong jazz quartet could be cool.
Beach Music
I love beach music rhythms -- the variety of styles that most beach music groups play include swing, shuffle, rock, latin, and more.
That kind of variety keeps a drummer happy all night long. In addition, beach music usually offers lots of opportunities to do some singing. And, to top it off, most beach bands make the effort to develop some nice vocal harmonies.
Consequently, I would welcome any opportunity to work with a good beach music band.
Variety Groups
Of course, the old standby "Variety" band will always have a place in the music biz. There are always weddings and reunions and conventions and parties and picnics that need music. And those kinds of events usually hire bands that can play a variety of music to please a variety of people. As a drummer, I enjoy variety. As a singer, I'm capable of several styles. Truly good variety bands have very busy schedules, and a steady gig with a such a group would be very desireable.
Fill-In Work
Over the years I've played with dozens of groups and hundreds of musicians. As a result, I've developed a little of that "sixth sense" that allows me to fit in with lots of different players in lots of different situations -- from oldies to jazz; from dixieland to country rock. I don't much care for hard rock, heavy metal, or hip-hop gigs, but those groups probably wouldn't want my gray hair on their stage anyway.
However, I can do a good job filling in with nearly all other kinds of groups, and will usually do a convincing enough job that most listeners won't know that "he's not our regular drummer."
Shows and Theater
I have a fair amount of experience with show work and dinner theater. I've played 274 performances of Guys and Dolls, 136 Kiss Me Kates, backed several national stars at a celebrity theater, and done a couple hundred corporate shows.
Yes, I can read... but no, I'm not one of those guys who can "read fly-shit at 50 paces."
I'm able to do a very respectable job with shows because I listen... I combine reasonably proficient reading skills with big ears. Leaders have hired me for shows over the years because they know I pay attention to them, I play the right style, I don't "showcase" behind the act, and I work hard to make the show sound as good as it can be.
Studio Work
I am an experienced studio drummer. In addition to playing quality, "studio-tweaked" drums, I also have experience as a commercial studio producer and engineer. I know what it takes to get in and get it done on budget, while still getting a great product. I'm well aware that it takes different skills and a different approach for a drummer to sound as good "on tape" as he does "in person."
Availability and Scheduling
I work primarily as a drummer and vocalist, as well as teaching drums at the Sandhills School of Performing Arts. In addition, I also do a very small amount of work as an independent video producer... in other words, I'm self-employed. As such, I'm very flexible and can usually make myself available at any time for gigs or rehearsals. I am also willing to do a reasonable amount of regional travel.
And finally, I am usually available on short notice.... sometimes very short notice. I you have an emergency, call me... I live half way between most everywhere in the Carolinas, and I can arrive, get set up, and be ready to play in 90 minutes (or less?) at most locations from the Triangle all the way to Charlotte. Plus, I'm only a couple hours from the beach. And since I'm a new kid in town, my calendar has lots of open dates!
Thanks for reading. I hope to work with you in the near future!
I'm available for work anywhere in the central Carolinas. I'm comfortable with many styles and would welcome permanent or fill-in work with: Big Bands, Jazz Combos, Oldies-Beach Music, Dixieland, Swing Bands, or Variety Groups.
Jazz
I grew up playing jazz in northern Indiana and south Chicago. Consequently, I'm very much at home with jazz groups of all sizes, especially mainstream groups. After more than thirty years of experience, I've developed an appreciation and awareness of audiences and dancers, so Avant Garde jazz forms are not as appealing to me; I like to play stuff that average people can relate to.
Consequently, a nice mainstream jazz group that knows how to play for the audience would be a nice situation to find. The chance to sing a few tunes would be a bonus. Of course, a kickin' Big Band is always a top goal, and Fusion with good horn players is also great. I would welcome an opportunity to play with a polished dixieland group (I spent a couple years in New Orleans). Even a strong jazz quartet could be cool.
Beach Music
I love beach music rhythms -- the variety of styles that most beach music groups play include swing, shuffle, rock, latin, and more.
That kind of variety keeps a drummer happy all night long. In addition, beach music usually offers lots of opportunities to do some singing. And, to top it off, most beach bands make the effort to develop some nice vocal harmonies.
Consequently, I would welcome any opportunity to work with a good beach music band.
Variety Groups
Of course, the old standby "Variety" band will always have a place in the music biz. There are always weddings and reunions and conventions and parties and picnics that need music. And those kinds of events usually hire bands that can play a variety of music to please a variety of people. As a drummer, I enjoy variety. As a singer, I'm capable of several styles. Truly good variety bands have very busy schedules, and a steady gig with a such a group would be very desireable.
Fill-In Work
Over the years I've played with dozens of groups and hundreds of musicians. As a result, I've developed a little of that "sixth sense" that allows me to fit in with lots of different players in lots of different situations -- from oldies to jazz; from dixieland to country rock. I don't much care for hard rock, heavy metal, or hip-hop gigs, but those groups probably wouldn't want my gray hair on their stage anyway.
However, I can do a good job filling in with nearly all other kinds of groups, and will usually do a convincing enough job that most listeners won't know that "he's not our regular drummer."
Shows and Theater
I have a fair amount of experience with show work and dinner theater. I've played 274 performances of Guys and Dolls, 136 Kiss Me Kates, backed several national stars at a celebrity theater, and done a couple hundred corporate shows.
Yes, I can read... but no, I'm not one of those guys who can "read fly-shit at 50 paces."
I'm able to do a very respectable job with shows because I listen... I combine reasonably proficient reading skills with big ears. Leaders have hired me for shows over the years because they know I pay attention to them, I play the right style, I don't "showcase" behind the act, and I work hard to make the show sound as good as it can be.
Studio Work
I am an experienced studio drummer. In addition to playing quality, "studio-tweaked" drums, I also have experience as a commercial studio producer and engineer. I know what it takes to get in and get it done on budget, while still getting a great product. I'm well aware that it takes different skills and a different approach for a drummer to sound as good "on tape" as he does "in person."
Availability and Scheduling
I work primarily as a drummer and vocalist, as well as teaching drums at the Sandhills School of Performing Arts. In addition, I also do a very small amount of work as an independent video producer... in other words, I'm self-employed. As such, I'm very flexible and can usually make myself available at any time for gigs or rehearsals. I am also willing to do a reasonable amount of regional travel.
And finally, I am usually available on short notice.... sometimes very short notice. I you have an emergency, call me... I live half way between most everywhere in the Carolinas, and I can arrive, get set up, and be ready to play in 90 minutes (or less?) at most locations from the Triangle all the way to Charlotte. Plus, I'm only a couple hours from the beach. And since I'm a new kid in town, my calendar has lots of open dates!
Thanks for reading. I hope to work with you in the near future!