Thomas Giampietro
Senior Lecturer, Jazz Studies, Drum Set
Tom Giampietro holds a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music in Jazz from the University of Miami (FL), and a Masters in Music in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Iowa. He has studied with such well-known educators as Dr. Bob Washut, Steve Rucker, Chris Merz, Jim Chapin, Vince Maggio, and Ron Miller.
As a drummer, Giampietro was an original member of Grammy-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin's eclectic jazz group the Mu-tet. While with the Mu-tet, Giampietro performed on Coffin's award-winning and critically acclaimed CDs, Go Round, and Commonality. During Giampietro's tenure with Coffin, the Mu-tet also completed national tours of the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest, including an appearance at the 2001 IAJE conference in New York City. Giampietro has played on 31 commercially released recordings, and has recorded or performed with such artists as Tim O'Brien, Casey Driessen, Rod McGaha, Scott Robinson, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, The Middle Tennessee Jazz Orchestra, Victor Wooten, Beegie Adair, Ben Monder, Chris Walters, Liz Johnson, Pat Bergeson, The Chris Merz X-tet, Ricky Woodard and Peter Erskine. He has also been active in leading his own group in and around the Nashville area.
Giampietro has appeared as a clinician or adjudicator at The University of Iowa, The University of Georgia, Belmont College, Austin Peay University, Brevard College, The SEIBA Jazz Competition, Coe College, The University of Northern Iowa Tallcorn Jazz Festival as well as various high schools in Tennessee and Iowa. He also served as a member of the all-volunteer faculty at the non-profit W.O.Smith Community Music School. Giampietro previously served on faculty at both Middle Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt University. He also teaches private drum set students at The University of Northern Iowa via the internet.
Tom Giampietro is also an active composer. His compositions have been performed by faculty and student ensembles at University of Northern Iowa, Eastern Illinois University Middle Tennessee State University and Eastern Kentucky University. In 2010, Giampietro released a collaborative jazz trio recording with Don Aliquo and Jonathan Wires. The CD, entitled "The Affinity Trio," features original modern jazz compositions by Mr. Aliquo, Mr. Wires and Mr. Giampietro. In 2013, he has released his first CD as a leader: "A Faith Rewarded" by the Tom Giampietro Quartet.
Mr. Giampietro proudly endorses Sabian Cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks.