Named by legendary guitarist Ted Greene as one of L.A.’s finest, Tommy Kay has had a diverse musical career. While in his late teens through his early twenties he worked with East Coast great Joe Beard. With Joe’s group in Rochester, NY, he backed up many Soul and Blues artists including Rufus Thomas, Jimmy Dawkins, Eddie Shaw, and a host of others who toured through the region. Tommy moved to Texas in 1985 and worked regionally until 1987. He then went on  to work for years as a touring musician including stints with R & B star Montell Jordan, the Grammy nominated band Roomful of Blues, and Fleetwood Mac/Bonnie Raitt guitarist Rick Vito, to name a few.
 
Settling in the Los Angeles area in 1992, Tommy began concentrating on writing and playing Jazz. He has worked with many of LA’s Jazz elite, including John Pisano, Joe Bagg, Plas Johnson, Donald Dean, Tony Dumas, and Roberto Miranda. He has worked primarily in the trio format lately with the legendary drummer Clarence Johnston (who has gigged and/or recorded with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, James Moody, Larry Young, Billie Holiday, et. al.), and bassist Clarence Robinson (Hilton Ruiz, Kenny Kirkland, Mary Lou Williams).