Tom Duprey
Music Performance Faculty in Jazz and Classical Trumpet
I have been freelancing as a trumpet player in the Boston area since the mid 1980s. My jazz friends say I'm a classical player, and my classical playing friends say I'm a jazzer with a good tone --- I feel that I'm a “generalist” - Jack of all Trades - who noodles his way through the trumpet!
I have performed and recorded with pit orchestras, jazz bands, symphony orchestras, rock, Latin and R&B bands, with the likes of Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, Tommy Tune, Robert Goulet, Serj Tankian, Madeleine Peyroux, Amanda Palmer, the Scottish indie-pop band Belle & Sebastian and most recently with Time Ghost on their release Reading For Cigar Makers.
While studying Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory I was heavily influenced by George Russell, Hankus Netsky and Ran Blake. I played in the George Russell combo both years performing some of George's classic compositions, learned how to develop a personal style from Hankus and was fortunate to have the incomparable Ran Blake as a teacher, inspiration and mentor. All of these skills and experiences have lead to my latest project - playing with the band TickleJuice (ticklejuicemusic.com) lead by friend and fellow NEC grad, James Merenda. I was in need of a new, creative outlet for my trumpet playing, and James was in need of someone to explore his music through interpretation and improvisation . . . TickleJuice was born! James and I have an uncanny ability to anticipate and communicate through our instruments, and this can be heard at any and all TickleJuice concerts, gigs and sessions – I am truly blessed to be playing with this outstanding and unique group!
As far as teaching, I have nearly 30 years of teaching experience and am currently full-time at Dover-Sherborn Regional Schools. I also teach privately from my home in Medfield. I strive to create a collegial and productive trumpet studio at Wellesley College, one that allows my students to explore and grow as musicians on their instrument in a personally creative, exploratory and fun way.
Education
- B.M., Crane School of Music
- M.M., New England Conservatory