Tom Ball Jazz

From Kent and now based in Devon, UK, Tom Ball has been playing jazz piano in a professional capacity since he was 15. His style is based on favourite pianists Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau and Jason Rebello but incorporates elements from many other great exponents of the instrument, as well as folk and classical influences from his musical upbringing.

His first album release, Gemini in 2016, showcased jazz arrangements of pop tunes in one half, and jazz standards in the other. This featured Jeremy Brown on bass and Tristan Mailliot on drums. In March 2024 he released an album of original tunes, played in duo format with saxophonist Olly Syrus. The album is available on all streaming services and on CD which they launched with a tour of the South West in April.

Tom plays with many of the South West's jazz artists including Neil Maya, Annika Skoogh, Pete Canter, Jesse Molins, Sam Massey, Martin Dale and Louise Parker. His regular trio includes Kev Sanders (bass) and Gary Evans or Coach York (drums) and they often accompany visiting stars including Gareth Lockrane, Nigel Price and Andy Panayi. Tom plays Hammond organ in Neil Burns' monthly Sunday Sermon jam and from time to time accompanies Jim Mullen in the same format. He also runs the Liquid Spirit jazz club in Torquay.