TOM PIROZZOLI
musician, painter
“There is a boundary to passions when we act from feelings; but none when we are under the influence of imagination.”
–William Burke 1780
For more than thirty years Tom’s simple path has been a life rich in music, art and travel, yielding a career filled with nine studio albums, numerous songwriting credits, and collaborations with other artists such as Willy Porter, Joyce Andersen and David Wilcox.
Tom’s sophisticated guitar work forms the rich backdrop for his warm tenor that delivers melodies and lyrics exploring the full range of the human and global experience.
Tom’s paintings have a distinctive approach that embodies the palette of Matisse, Rothko’s broad bands of color, and the mercurial qualities of American Impressionism. The synthesis of color and his unaffected approach to representation has produced a resonant and evocative body of work.
A self-taught guitarist and painter, Tom’s music found it’s way into New England coffeehouses and street corners at the age of 19. The sense of endless possibility and adventure of the 1970s lead to travels – initially through Europe and South America, later to India and Southeast Asia, then eventually to China and Tibet. His encounters with such an array of people, cultures, and ideas, have contributed to and enriched both his painting, music and lyrical content.
Tom was named a winner in MUSICIAN magazine’s Best Unsigned Band Contest, resulting in a national Warner Bros. Records release. His subsequent album “Travels” (Great Northern Arts) spent 13 weeks in the AAA Charts top 40 albums. Several of his original recordings also reside in the Smithsonian Folkways Collection via Fast Folk Musical Magazine.
In addition to presenting art exhibits, Tom toured internationally—working with artists such as Greg Brown, Jesse Winchester, and Doc Watson. Tom also began performing and collaborating with Milwaukee- based guitarist Willy Porter, co-writing many songs that have been featured on Porter’s albums, including “Try to Forget” and the title song on Willy’s Human Kindness record. L.J. Booth and John Gorka have used Tom’s paintings as CD covers.
press quotes:
“Pirozzoli’s poetic lyrics make his songs worth reading as well as hearing” –Boston Sunday Globe
“I have never seen somebody get so good so fast. He has the eye. That unique ability to see shapes, values and colors and put them together…right.” –Stan Moeller
“…good sound, man!” –Taj Mahal
“One of my favorite musicians- has influenced me for years- his album stays in the changer” – David Wilcox
“his poetic lyrics reflect the beauty and spirituality of the places he’s been. His rich guitar texture and soothing vocals express the depth of his songs.” –Marblehead Reporter
“Pirozzoli offers a vision of the exotic places he visits and straight from the heat sentiment through his songs… a low enchanting voice and a prolific knack for writing lyrics.” – NH Seacoast
“Pirozzoli’s observations and travels bring seemingly dissimilar elements to harmony.” –Boston Globe
“While never being mundane, Pirozzoli present his music on his own terms” –Musician Magazine
“Pirozzoli ‘s hypnotic soothing vocals and rich guitar textures… well crafted” –Sing Out
“The passionate philosopher-songwriter captures a variety of musical styles in his original songs, invoking a feeling of comfortable familiarity, like spending time with a good friend.” – Autumn Magazine