Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

“I really do fancy myself a drummer, as opposed to somebody who calls himself a percussionist,” says Rainey. “I play the drumset, that’s enough.” Although this attitude may seem a throwback to the days when drummers were seen only as supporting players, there is nothing anachronistic in Rainey’s playing. It is informed not only by jazz, but also by rock, funk, and classical music, giving Rainey deep rhythmic concepts. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Cali., Rainey says that drums were always around because his dad was an amateur player.Percussionist Tom Rainey was born in Los Angeles, California in 1957. Since moving to New York City in 1979 he has performed at festivals and clubs throughout North America and Europe with a wide range of artists, including John Abercrombie, Ray Anderson, Tim Berne, Jane Ira Bloom, Ted Curson, Marc Ducret, George Gruntz, Mark Helias, Fred Hersch, Andy Laster, Joe Lovano, Carmen McRae, Mike Nock, Simon Nabatov, New and Used, Matthias Schubert, Tom Varner, WDR Big Band, Ken Werner and Denny Zeitlen.
Rainey received an National Endowment for the Arts grant to compose and perform a concert of music for percussion and drums featuring Dave Samuels and Arto Tuncboyaci. Currently he is busy with the Fred Hersch Trio, Tim Berne’s Paraphrase, and numerous others.