Tom Dante

A large amount of his work is with Matt Mauser in the Tijuana Dogs, Matt Mauser Big Band and Small Band, and also with Pete Jacobs in his bands. As a bandleader, Tom leads R&B Gospel group Alva & Praise for their Gospel Dinners as well as his own groups, the Tom Dante Quartet, the Tom Dante Trio, and 5-piece jazz-fusion group The Dante Set. Additionally, he plays with jazz artists Tony Guerrero, Dean Grech, Greg Vail, and Jay Gore. He also records with his original rock/punk band Human Haggis. Lastly, he is a musician for hire for recording sessions and live performances.
Tom has played and recorded with Tom Brooks of Integrity Music, David Pack of Ambrosia, and has done some travel dates with John Tesh. He has also worked as a clinician for Yamaha Worship Resources. He has recorded and performed with Abe Laboriel, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Landau, Sheila E, Larry Carlton, Bob Somma, Baby do Brazil, Morris Chapman, Rick Muchow, Melvin Davis, Charles Billingsley, Rick Tatum, and many more.
Tom started piano lessons when he was six years old. He made drums his primary instrument in jr. high so that he could join the high school marching band with his friends. His first paid gig came at 16 years old, playing the drum solo from “Sing, Sing, Sing” for a locally produced cable TV commercial.
Some of his personal highlights include playing for the State Honors Symphony under the direction of Henry Mancini, playing pop and dance music at the North Pole, dancing as Fred Astaire in the Super Bowl XXI Half-Time Show, and playing the Saddleback Town Hall Forum featuring Senators Barack Obama and John McCain for worldwide, multi-network broadcast.