Thomas Douglas Tonyan
My brother-in-law tragically passed away from injuries he suffered in an automobile accident on Wednesday, July 7th. It is impossible to believe he is isn't with us any longer. Tom was a brilliant jazz musician who played the piano, organ and keyboard. He had a witty sense of humor, and had an infectious laugh that I can hear now. He was a loving man who is deeply missed by his family.
We love you Tom
Recently, on April 16th of this year, he played with Red Holloway for the opening of the Friday Night Series of Jazz at LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art).
Although you can just see the top of his head in the videos, that is Tom on the organ. I have embedded the You Tube videos for you to enjoy.
Here is a photo of Tom that evening playing the organ.
4 comments:
Oh, my heart goes out to you. I'm very sorry for your loss. I wish you comfort.
I was fortunate enough to play with him one last time at the jazz joint in Koreatown. I'm thankful we had that evening. I hadn't seen him in a very long time altho we knew each other from City College days. Wishing the family some comfort in your loss.
I went to LACC with Tom, and we were friends. I remember he had a lot of challenges, not the least of which was having a wife and kid when the rest of us were all footloose and fancy-free college kids. I also remember he had some of the excesses that go along with being a jazz musician.
But mostly I remember his unbelievable expertise on the organ, and his talent. He would have the foot pedals, and both hands going like a maniac. I got to learn what true virtuosity is. I'm sorry we lost contact over the years, and doubly sorry to hear of his passing.
Are these the only YouTube clips of him? Is he on many recordings that are available?
Sorry for your loss. My memories of him are vivid and great.
Sincerely,
Gary Stockdale
Tom and I were very close friends in the 1980s, really best buds. I moved away and lost touch, but he was very important to me. My best to his family.
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