Tom Kersey Cellist from Tampa, FL

Tampa, Florida cellist Tom Kersey has been called the 'best cellist in the southeast.' Tom has earned this reputation not only with his beautiful and highly expressive peformances of classical music, but also with his sheer versatility as a musician, regularly performing in non-traditional styles for the cello such as jazz, blues, rock, world music, improvisational and experimental music, and many others. It is his extensive training and professional experience in cello performance, composition, and music theory which has led to Tom's consumate musical knowledge, and this, together with his deep love, respect, and curiosity for all music, is what has made Tom one of the most sought-after musicians among his colleagues and clients. Tom offers his talent and love for music to anyone looking for live music for a special event. Potential clients of Mr. Kersey have many options of instrumentation and styles available to them, including: SOLO CELLO - A great choice for small, medium, or with amplification, large events. A solo performer offers a wonderful sense of intimacy, and when the performer is a cellist, the instrument fills the environment with its big, warm sound without being overbearing. Styles include classical, jazz/blues, rock/pop, improvisational, meditational, and more. STRING DUO - The Dragieva/Kersey String Duo augments Tom's musical talent with virtuoso Bulgarian violinist Olga Dragieva. Ms. Dragieva performs as a soloist, with many orchestras throughout Florida, and has the honorable distinction of serving as Concertmaster (first chair of the first violin section) for the University of South Florida Symphony Orchestra. This ensemble offers mainly classical music, but some jazz, pop/rock, and holiday tunes are also in their repertoire. STRING QUARTET - The Dragieva String Quartet was formed by Mr. Kersey and includes some of the most talented young musicians in the Tampa Bay area, including Tom's violinist colleague Olga Dragieva (see above), who serves as the group's brilliant first violinist and after whom the quartet is named. Styles include mostly classical, but also some jazz, pop/rock, and holiday music. STRING TRIO - This group is the Dragieva Quartet (see above) minus one. other variations of the above classical groups include: FLUTE and CELLO FLUTE, VIOLIN and CELLO FLUTE, VIOLIN, VIOLA and CELLO DOUCE AMBIANCE TRIO - Jazz trio of cello, violin/voice and guitar. This combo specializes in 'gypsy jazz', a European style of jazz made famous by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. The trio acquired its moniker from one of Reinhardt's songs called 'Douce Ambiance', which means 'relaxed mood'. The trio is led by One of the only jazz violinists in the central Florida area, Vicki Scuteri, who also posesses a beautiful singing voice and a boisterously entertaining stage presence. This unique trio is supported by one of central Florida's most renowned jazz and Latin guitarists, Nikola Baltic. In addition to gypsy jazz, the trio also performs popular jazz standards and Latin jazz/bossa novas. KELP - Tom's experimental jazz project which integrates complex composed material and extensive free improvisation, and is comprised of the unique instrumentation of cello, saxophone, guitar, and drums. To form the band, Tom recruited some of Florida's most highly respected jazz musicians, including the phenomenal saxophonist Jeremy Powell, and virtuoso guitarist LaRue Nickelson, who is professor of jazz guitar at the University of South Florida. The group has been compared to such artists as Miles Davis's 1970's era ensembles, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Sun Ra, and Frank Zappa. KELP is also entirely capable of performing straight-ahead jazz tunes. OTHER JAZZ COMBOS - Tom has many musician colleagues, and can assemble jazz combos usually to the client's specifications. Common instrumental options, in addition to the cello, include saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano/keyboard, bass, and drums. If you have a request for another instrument, go for it, and Tom will do his best to fulfill your desires for the perfect ensemble. LUSH PROGRESS - Tom's four-piece rock band with an original sound influenced by such bands as Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Weezer, Talking Heads, and The Beatles. Other influences include contemporary classical music and modern jazz, as well as improvisational or 'jam' music. Lush Progress performs mainly intricately composed original songs, but also plays cover songs from artists such as The Velvet Underground, Death Cab For Cutie, The Beatles, Weezer, Van Morrison, and The Doors.