TOM DICKSON

A drummer, pianist, composer and teacher based in London

ABOUT ME

Tom Dickson is a freelance drummer, pianist and composer based in London who runs his own band the 'Entropy Collective'. He is involved in a variety of different projects such as small Jazz ensembles, Pop artist backing bands, solo Piano/Piano and Vocal duo's as well as his electronic drum experiment Post Polar Bear.

Tom has a broad range of influences and is stylistically versatile: This is reflected by some of the projects he has been a part of. He graduated with a Masters Degree from the Royal Academy of Music, specialising as a Jazz Drummer and Pianist, and he is also the session and live drummer for artists such as Josie Proto, Joss Mogli, Toothbrush and J Rozzi amongst others. since studying for his BMus in Music at the University of Surrey, he has played on a variety of studio recordings, and continues to be in demand as a session musician both as a drummer and a pianist. Artists Tom has recorded with include Joss Mogli, J Rozzi, Nia, Ioan Hazel, Abdi Behravanfar, Men, by Women, both the University of Surrey Big Band and Gospel Choir as well as the film score for My Type by Doddi El-Gabry. Tom also performed regularly in various groups whist studying here, such as a quintet playing his own tunes and arrangements as well as the post-punk noise rock outfit Toothbrush in addition to being the pianist for the University Gospel Choir.

Tom has also been described as a kind and experienced teacher, who “has the unusual ability to understand exactly what the student wants to achieve and what learning style would best suit them”. Tom teaches Drum and Piano lessons in addition to tutoring, and teaches all ages and abilities as well as specialising in Jazz improvisation. He is also a play and youth worker for various charities that provide services to young people with disabilities, and consequently holds an enhanced DBS check on the update service.

Tom has had lots of invaluable experiences during his musical development. At a young age he joined the NYJO Jazz Ensemble, where he learnt the fundamentals of playing music in ensembles. Consequently Tom landed the drum chair in NYJO’s Academy Big Band directed by Sebastiaan De Krom, and played in the pit band of the BYMT production Help! Get me out of This Musical! In the summer of 2017. Tom was also lucky enough to compete in the Meer Jazz International Big Band Competition in the Netherlands with the University of Surrey Big Band in 2019. Since being at the Royal Academy of Music Tom has had the privilege of being taught by some of the most respected and experienced musicians on the British Jazz scene such as Martin France, Pete Churchill, Ian Thomas, Jasper Høiby, Tom Cawley, James Maddren and Kit Downes as well as others.