The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

Todd Simon After 7 years of classical piano lessons, Todd decided to focus on jazz. He received his Bachelor's of Music degree in Jazz Piano Performance in 2007 from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano and organ with Tim Murphy and saxophone with Gary Thomas. Todd contributed original compositions and arrangements to several Peabody ensembles, playing multiple instruments in Peabody concerts alongside Conrad Herwig, Sam Rivers, David Sanchez, Ingrid Jensen, George Garzone, Rufus Reid, and Dave Samuels.   Upon graduation, Todd quickly rose through the ranks of the Baltimore/D.C. jazz scene. During his 10+ years as a full-time freelance musician, he has had the opportunity to perform and/or record with Chris Potter, Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, Antonio Hart, Ralph Peterson, Gary Thomas, Wayne Bergeron, Paul Bollenback, Tarus Mateen, Mike Pope, Dontae Winslow, Alex Norris, Oliver Nelson Jr., Stephanie Jordan, Sean Rickman, Daryl Davis, the Chesapeake Orchestra, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, the Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra, the Rumba Club, and The Fabulous Hubcaps, a group his father Dale “Rocky” Simon founded. Todd was also the keyboardist with the Donvonte McCoy Quintet at the Eighteenth Street Lounge for over 4 years.   Todd was hired as the pianist with the Naval Academy Band in December 2009, where he performed in the Next Wave Jazz Ensemble, Superintendent’s Combo, and Concert Band, in addition to playing saxophone and bass drum in ceremonial and Marching units. While enlisted, he had the privilege of performing for Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Neil Armstrong. He received an honorable discharge from the service in April 2014. Todd’s 2013 debut CD of all original compositions, Simon Says, earned him a 2014 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and a 2015 Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award. In 2015, Todd and his brother, bassist Shawn Simon, released Vol. 1 of their 3-part “Simon Brothers Holiday Special” series featuring 25 different drummers and various other musicians. Todd is also featured on Donvonte McCoy’s Third Floor, Lionel Lyles’ At the Precipice, and Tom Moore’s Restless Journey. In 2016 alone Todd participated in 10 different recording sessions including Ben Patterson’s big band CD Vital Frequencies featuring Chris Potter, Darden Purcell’s Where the Blue Begins, Ultrafaux’s Impromptu, and his own projects on Hammond B-3 organ, piano, and saxophones featuring Tim Warfield, Mike Pope, Warren Wolf, and many other area musicians. Todd remains an active composer, arranger, and performer well-versed in many genres.

contact:	tfsimon@gmail.com
homepage:	toddfsimon.bandcamp.com/album/simon-says
	Click on the logo to see Todd's tour dates.

	"So Far", from the album "Six By Five" 07:28 - 10,093kB
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