Tom Spahn
Encyclopedia
Thomas G. Spahn (born July 30, 1955) is a three-time Emmy Award winner and nominee as well as 1996 Grammy Award nominee American composer and musician born in Park Forest, Illinois
and currently residing in New York City. Spahn was the long time musical director and arranger for Eartha Kitt
and has worked with musicians and composers including; Edgar and Johnny Winter, John Pizzarelli, Carol Burnett, Frank Oz, Liza Minelli, Galt McDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Don Sebesky, Don Pippin, Colin Romoff, Frank Loesser, Nancy LaMott, Eddie Fisher, and many others.
(also in Park Forest) from 1969 to 1973. Upon graduation from high school he enrolled in the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana until finding that the school offered little musical education. Disenchanted with the musical offerings at the university, he pursued his musical passions by joining a popular musical group, The Wright Brothers, and toured the United States for several years before settling in New York City.
In New York City, Tom evolved from a musician, to vocal coach, audio engineer, musical director, orchestrator, producer, and composer. Tom operated Nola Recording Studios, Studio B, as a MIDI
studio for many years, engineering and producing for Broadway theater, opera, musicals, television, radio, and movies. Tom is currently working at Sesame Street Studios in Manhattan.
Park Forest, Illinois
Park Forest is a village located south of Chicago in Cook County and Will County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 23,462...
and currently residing in New York City. Spahn was the long time musical director and arranger for Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Mae Kitt was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the...
and has worked with musicians and composers including; Edgar and Johnny Winter, John Pizzarelli, Carol Burnett, Frank Oz, Liza Minelli, Galt McDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Don Sebesky, Don Pippin, Colin Romoff, Frank Loesser, Nancy LaMott, Eddie Fisher, and many others.
Biography
Tom started schooling at Blackhawk Elementary in Park Forest, Illinois from 1960 to 1968. After elementary school, he attended Rich East Township High SchoolRich East High School
Rich East High School or REHS, is a public four-year high school located in Park Forest, Illinois, a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. The Rich East Campus serves the cities of Park Forest, Matteson,Olympia Fields,Chicago Heights, & Richton Park...
(also in Park Forest) from 1969 to 1973. Upon graduation from high school he enrolled in the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana until finding that the school offered little musical education. Disenchanted with the musical offerings at the university, he pursued his musical passions by joining a popular musical group, The Wright Brothers, and toured the United States for several years before settling in New York City.
In New York City, Tom evolved from a musician, to vocal coach, audio engineer, musical director, orchestrator, producer, and composer. Tom operated Nola Recording Studios, Studio B, as a MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIDI is an industry-standard protocol, first defined in 1982 by Gordon Hall, that enables electronic musical instruments , computers and other electronic equipment to communicate and synchronize with each other...
studio for many years, engineering and producing for Broadway theater, opera, musicals, television, radio, and movies. Tom is currently working at Sesame Street Studios in Manhattan.
Discography
- Bonnie Lee Sanders, A Seasoned Woman
- 2008 Grammy nominated, Recording & Restoration of Dizzie Gilespie’s, “South American State Department Tour” 3 CD Set
Videography
- Sid & NancySid and NancySid and Nancy is a 1986 British biopic directed by Alex Cox. The film portrays the life of Sid Vicious , bassist of the seminal punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and his relationship with girlfriend Nancy Spungen .-Plot:The film opens with several police officers dragging Sid Vicious out of the Hotel...
, John Cale - Something Wild, Jonathan Demme
- Mistress, Galt MacDermot/ Robert De Niro
Musicals
Tom functioned a Musical Director and Orchestrator or Composer on numerous musicals, including the following:- Battle of the Giants – by Alan MenkenAlan MenkenAlan Menken is an American musical theatre and film composer and pianist.Menken is best known for his numerous scores for films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. His scores for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas have each won him two Academy Awards...
and Howard AshmanHoward AshmanHoward Elliott Ashman was an American playwright and lyricist. Ashman first studied at Boston University and Goddard College and then went on to achieve his master's degree from Indiana University in 1974...
- Musical Director and Orchestrator - Real Life Funnies – by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman — Musical Director and Orchestrator
- City of Light – Composer
- Cairo – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- Sam Gray – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- Broadway Moon – Musical Director and Orchestrator
- The Road to Hollywood, by Michael Pace & Rob Preston – Musical Director and Orchestrator
Vocal Coach
Over the years Tom has been a vocal coach to the following notables-
- Divine for "Hair Spray — The Movie"
- Eartha KittEartha KittEartha Mae Kitt was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the...
- Nancy LaMottNancy LaMottNancy LaMott was a singer, popular on the New York City cabaret circuit in the 1990s. LaMott performed twice at the White House for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton...