Tom Garrett

About me:

A world-class musician at age 15, Tom Garrett has enjoyed a lifetime of musical success. Tom is best known for his contribution to the development and implementation of jazz-format radio in the United States. "The Music Of Tomorrow," a feature program Tom produced in the 1980s, landed him a staggering 25 share in the Arbitron ratings, making him one of the most successful independent radio programmers in the country. In addition to the success of "The Music Of Tomorrow," Tom's production company Ion Productions produced the highly rated radio shows "Ion Jazz," "Jazzin' Easy" and "The Best Of Both Worlds" for stations across the nation. Tom has also served as a programming consultant for dozens of radio stations nationwide. Tom entered the record business in 1989 when he accepted the position of radio promotions director for Visual Musik Records in Omaha, Nebraska. Carol Davis of Mannheim Steamroller fame launched the jazz label in 1988 after leaving American Gramaphone Records. Tom was brought onboard for their second national release, "Earth City Expressway," a compilation of mostly unknown new jazz artists. During the first week of promotions on a national level, "Earth City Expressway" was the most added record in the nation in the jazz chart of Radio & Records! Shortly after his initial success in the promotions field, Tom received offers from major labels in Los Angeles, and became an independent record promoter. During this time, Tom was also contributing editor of The Mac Report, a charting magazine based in Burbank, California for adult contemporary, jazz, rock, and alternative. During his years of promotional work, Tom has been privileged to work with many successul recording artists including Luther Vandross, David Sanborn, Yanni, Jars of Clay, Dr. John, Rickie Lee Jones, Indigo Girls, Dan Siegel, Patrick O’Hearn, Richie Havens, Checkfield, Ric Swanson, Peter Buffett, David Lanz, and Shadowfax. Tom was also instrumental in providing initial promotional work for the American release of British alternative rock artists "Cocteau Twins" for Capitol Records. Tom lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and four children. Tom owns and operates New West Management, an artist management and development company. ......(Broadcast Personalities Spotlight, March 2010)