Newest release, Smokin'
The melodies and underlying harmonic structure are a focus of this CD. The talented musicians making the music come alive are familiar faces on recordings across the spectrum of jazz, latin, and rhythm and blues. This is the way smooth jazz used to sound when played by the likes of Freddy Hubbard, Milt Jackson, and Wes Montgomery. Just sit down and get ready to take a journey through latin, samba, straight-ahead, tango, and blues moods.

From Tom:
Songwriting is merely the beginning of the creative process of music. Once a song has been born, it needs to be interpreted by musicians, who impart their own detail and nuance. They personalize it, bring it to life and use the composition to tell their own story. Dave Mathews and Ray Obiedo were instrumental in creating the world in which my songs could live. They, along with the other musicians on this cd, helped me present this music. They expanded the compositions, added a sense of groove and delivered beautiful improvisations in order to create soothing, relaxing music, with all of the verve and integrity I imagined from the very beginning.

Previous Releases

Graffiti was Tom's previous release. The album is a diverse collection of straight-ahead, Latin, funk tunes, waltzes and a ballad. It is all about a journey through melodies and rhythms. The compositions allow the musicians to tell their stories in an assortment of languages, from soft samba and Afro-Cuban to modern bop dissonance.

In his second release, A Day to Remember, Tom Graf is able to display his talent with original, melodic jazz compositions that are upbeat and imaginative. In collaboration with smooth jazz veterans, listeners are treated to inventive tracks including saxophonist Marc Russo (Yellowjackets), guitarist Ray Obiedo, and keyboardist Peter Horvath, along with renowned studio musicians Vernon Black, Peter Michael Escovedo, Tommy Bradford, and Nelson Braxton.

Santana followers will enjoy the single No One Loves You More featuring the soaring guitar and pulsing percussion. Marc Russo is at his best with expressive saxophone in Steppin' Out and 'Gela. Tom Graf, as pianist and writer, exerts his creativity blending infectious melodies into sophisticated smooth jazz.