TOM BARTELMAY

Guitarist. Composer. Bandleader.

Tom Bartelmay is a Detroit based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and band leader who has been playing and teaching professionally since age 19. 2022 marked Tom's transition into band leading with the release of his debut album "Heartstrings." Upon receiving praise from critics and colleges alike, Tom earned a slot at the 2022 Detroit Jazz Festival.

Furthering his musical education, Tom completed a Master of Music in composition from Wayne State University in 2023. During this period, he served as the Gretchen Valade Graduate Assistant and studied under the tutelage of Jon Anderson and Christorpher Collins. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including Gyorgy Ligeti, Thelonious Monk, the Brian Blade Fellowship, and Dave King Trucking Company, Tom's works are characterized by strong lyrical elements intertwined with influences from multiple genres.

Tom's music has often been described as lyrical, and eclectic. His influences include artists such as Gyorgy Ligeti, Thelonious Monk, the Brian Blade Fellowship, Butcher Brown to name a few. Today Tom's work focuses on strong lyrical elements recontextualized through a variety of rhythmic and harmonic settings, often resulting in wide ranging works with a variety of color palettes. His main working group consists of long-time contributors Sean Perlmutter, Rocco Popielarski, and Jake Shadik, whose relentless creativity and strong musical voices help shape and reshape each piece.

Today, Tom's compositions are recognized for their eclectic and vibrant nature, weaving together diverse influences to create works known for their aphoristic and colorful qualities.