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Tom grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. He began taking electric bass lessons at 11, and that same year landed his first gig with a band led by his jazz guitarist brother. At 15, he worked for almost a year with a popular country band on weekends. (His parents had the wonderful privilege of driving him to rehearsals and gigs, but never complained.)
Before his 16th birthday, he was asked to join the most in-demand cover band in central New York led by his bass teach (who was actually one of the busiest guitar instructors in the area). During the summer between his junior and senior years in high school, Tom enrolled in a summer program at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied arranging and jazz theory. He moved to Boston after graduating from high school, and toured for a year with the Craig Payton Band (jazz fusion) throughout much of New England.
As a young teen, Tom's dad surprised him one day with a brand new double bass. Unfortunately, it collected a lot of dust for a couple of years---he was simply too busy playing the electric bass in the high school jazz band as well as his weekend gigs. However, he seriously started pursuing this instrument when he was 18.
The person he credits for building a love for the acoustic bass was the great jazz organist, Jack MacDuff. Not many people realize that before taking up organ, MacDuff was a bassist himself. When Tom was 18, he joined MacDuff's band and traveled with him for almost a full year. It was a great privilege for Tom to record and tour with MacDuff throught Western Europe.
While on the road with MacDuff, Tom published a book for the jazz bass player entitled, "Ron Carter Bass Lines", a transcription of jazz bass lines featuring bassist Ron Carter. The book is available as part of the Jamey Abersold Jazz Play Along Series.
Tom left MacDuff's band to return home to New York to learn to play the acoustic bass that MacDuff had taught him so much about! (MacDuff's music called for an electric bass only.) MacDuff also introduced Tom to his musical idol---the great jazz bassist, Ray Brown.
After leaving MacDuff's band, Tom began formal bass lessons with the principal bassist of the Buffalo Philharmonic, and later with the principals bassist of the Rochester Philharmonic. Later that same year, Tom was invited to join Barry Kiener's trio. (Barry was Buddy Rich's pianist for several years. Tom first heard him on the Tonight Show.)
In 1994, Tom performed with internationally known jazz pianist, Monty Alexander. Since then, he has worked as a freelance bassist. Currently, he leads the Tom Hilliker Jazz Trio, featuring pianist Jim Steele. The trio performs throughout north central Indiana and the Chicago area.
Laying the groove down, swinging hard, using space, all with an attitude to make the rest of the band sound better, is what drummer David Hilliker brings to the music. Hilliker was born into a very musical family in upstate New York, having two older brothers who toured and recorded with Jazz Organ Great, Brother Jack McDuff. He was very fortunate to get the feel, and sounds of blues and jazz music into his soul at a very tender age. He was performing in clubs, and sitting in with the elder brothers at the age of 12. He has studied with legendary drummers Ed Thigpen, and John Von Ohlen; performed at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase and Andy's Jazz Club (both in Chicago), and many restaurants and clubs throughout the midwest. David has been very fortunate to perform with such jazz greats as Bill Heid, Ira Sullivan, Robert Irving III, Marlene Rosenberg, Willie Pickens, Larry Gray, Joe Beck, Ali Ryerson, Bill Watrous, Joey DeFrancesco, John Clayton, Benny Green, and the legendary tenor saxophonist George Coleman. For Hilliker, the music is never about him, or playing flashy. "Less is more.......it's all about the groove, and bringing joy to those who hear it".
Tom Hilliker's Bio
Tom grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. He began taking electric bass lessons at 11, and that same year landed his first gig with a band led by his jazz guitarist brother. At 15, he worked for almost a year with a popular country band on weekends. (His parents had the wonderful privilege of driving him to rehearsals and gigs, but never complained.)
Before his 16th birthday, he was asked to join the most in-demand cover band in central New York led by his bass teach (who was actually one of the busiest guitar instructors in the area). During the summer between his junior and senior years in high school, Tom enrolled in a summer program at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied arranging and jazz theory. He moved to Boston after graduating from high school, and toured for a year with the Craig Payton Band (jazz fusion) throughout much of New England.
As a young teen, Tom's dad surprised him one day with a brand new double bass. Unfortunately, it collected a lot of dust for a couple of years---he was simply too busy playing the electric bass in the high school jazz band as well as his weekend gigs. However, he seriously started pursuing this instrument when he was 18.
The person he credits for building a love for the acoustic bass was the great jazz organist, Jack MacDuff. Not many people realize that before taking up organ, MacDuff was a bassist himself. When Tom was 18, he joined MacDuff's band and traveled with him for almost a full year. It was a great privilege for Tom to record and tour with MacDuff throught Western Europe.
While on the road with MacDuff, Tom published a book for the jazz bass player entitled, "Ron Carter Bass Lines", a transcription of jazz bass lines featuring bassist Ron Carter. The book is available as part of the Jamey Abersold Jazz Play Along Series.
Tom left MacDuff's band to return home to New York to learn to play the acoustic bass that MacDuff had taught him so much about! (MacDuff's music called for an electric bass only.) MacDuff also introduced Tom to his musical idol---the great jazz bassist, Ray Brown.
After leaving MacDuff's band, Tom began formal bass lessons with the principal bassist of the Buffalo Philharmonic, and later with the principals bassist of the Rochester Philharmonic. Later that same year, Tom was invited to join Barry Kiener's trio. (Barry was Buddy Rich's pianist for several years. Tom first heard him on the Tonight Show.)
In 1994, Tom performed with internationally known jazz pianist, Monty Alexander. Since then, he has worked as a freelance bassist. Currently, he leads the Tom Hilliker Jazz Trio, featuring pianist Jim Steele. The trio performs throughout north central Indiana and the Chicago area.
David Hilliker's Bio
Laying the groove down, swinging hard, using space, all with an attitude to make the rest of the band sound better, is what drummer David Hilliker brings to the music. Hilliker was born into a very musical family in upstate New York, having two older brothers who toured and recorded with Jazz Organ Great, Brother Jack McDuff. He was very fortunate to get the feel, and sounds of blues and jazz music into his soul at a very tender age. He was performing in clubs, and sitting in with the elder brothers at the age of 12. He has studied with legendary drummers Ed Thigpen, and John Von Ohlen; performed at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase and Andy's Jazz Club (both in Chicago), and many restaurants and clubs throughout the midwest. David has been very fortunate to perform with such jazz greats as Bill Heid, Ira Sullivan, Robert Irving III, Marlene Rosenberg, Willie Pickens, Larry Gray, Joe Beck, Ali Ryerson, Bill Watrous, Joey DeFrancesco, John Clayton, Benny Green, and the legendary tenor saxophonist George Coleman. For Hilliker, the music is never about him, or playing flashy. "Less is more.......it's all about the groove, and bringing joy to those who hear it".
Tom Vaitsas' Bio
Tom Vaitsas is one of the most sought after pianists in Chicago, and his talent is held in high regard among his fellow musicians. Tom is also a favorite of some of Chicago's most veteran performers, including: Bob Perna (trumpeter), Frank D'Rone & Bobbi Wilsyn, Duke Payne, Red Holt (vocalists). He has also toured Europe with blues artist Lurie Bell.
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