Tom & Tony

East-West Collaboration

Tom Stryker - Tony Luisi
East-West Collaboration

I just listened to a new CD called "East-West Collaboration" - Tom Stryker on Harmonica and Tony Luisi on Keyboards.
This CD is the freshest thing I've heard in many a year. Tony Luisi's arrangements are both top rate and so original.
Tom Stryker's playing really suits the arrangements to a "T." He plays with impeccable technique in a style that does not put too much pressure on the reeds. As a result, his playing is both fluid and "in-tune."
I first heard of Tom years ago from my close, life long friend, Dave Doucette. He was a great one in the harmonica world as both an arranger and player. Dave played in a harmonica quartet in California named "The Harmonica Express" and Tom Stryker played the lead. Dave sent me some of the cassettes of the group and of course, Dave's playing and arrangements were great, but it was Tom's fine playing that really set it all off.
I first met Tony Luisi backstage at a theater where my good friends, "The Stagg McMann Trio" were performing. Their arrangements, both jazz and classical, were astounding. Imagine my surprise when I met this superb arranger - he was a little kid in his early teens!
I found the "East-West Collaboration" CD to be a match made in heaven between Tom Stryker and Tony Luisi. Sit down and listen to this. I know you will find the playing of Tom with Tony on keyboards first rate, the arrangements luscious and filled with gorgeous harmonies.
I'm sure you'll also agree: the choice of selections and their treatment is in great taste.

by: Stan Harper

New CD released by Tom Stryker and Tony Luisi Tom Stryker and Tony Luisi, in an unimaginably formidable combination of talent, present an enchanting performance on this CD. Tony Luisi, the original arranger for the Stagg McMann Harmonica Trio, wrote and arranged their jazz music when he was only 15 years old! What sort of music would such a person write sixty years later? This CD says it. Ya gotta hear it!
Tony's musical arrangements on this CD place the harmonica firmly into the present music scene. The improvisations and phrasing of the harmonica passages create a rapport with the listener that is magical. To add to this, Tony works his magic on the backgrounds with the expertise of the professional musician he is.
Tom Stryker's smooth delivery of difficult phrases is a testimony of his many years' experience. After receiving his early tutoring from Ray Tankersley, Tom played chromatic for many years in the Sharp Harp octet and Lead in the Harmonica Express with the legendary David Doucette. After the demise of both groups, Tom set out to make his mark as a solo jazz harmonicist. He has performed with various jazz combos in the United States and on cruise ships with the Harmonica Aces. He is well known in night spots of Reno, Nevada, and is a favored performer in jazz clubs of the Orient.
Tom has paid his dues and now he delivers with the expertise of a seasoned musician. This new CD, "East-West Collaboration," is a "must have."

by: Al Smith
Harmonica Hotshots

Artists:
Tom Stryker - Chromatic Harmonica
Tony Luisi - Composer, Arranger, Keyboards

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