Tom Norris (musician)
Encyclopedia
Tom Norris is an English
musician, composer, ensemble leader and songwriter who plays classical violin with the London Symphony Orchestra
and also manages a solo pop music career.
and attended Chetham's School of Music as a child. Later he studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
in London
, and began singing and playing in local clubs as a jazz violinist with musicians including Lionel Grigson
. After finishing school, he played as an extra with the London Symphony Orchestra, began to write songs and toured in a piano trio with Norbert Zehm and Kate Shortt. He continued his studies at Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada, and then took a position for two years as Principal Second Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
. He returned to London for a position with the London Symphony Orchestra, where he plays Co-Principal Second Violin.
Norris has worked with a broad range of musical acts including The Who
, Eric Clapton
, Antony and the Johnsons
, John Adams
, Deep Purple
, Manu Delago
, Seal
, Dave Brubeck
, Elvis Costello
, Daniel Barenboim
, Bernard Haitink
and Pierre Boulez
. In March 2010, Norris played violin for The Who's production of Quadrophenia
at the Royal Albert Hall
in London as a tenth anniversary charity benefit for the Teenage Cancer Trust
. On 3 July 2010, he performed as the opening act for Eric Clapton at DTE Energy music theatre.
Norris leads the Vuillaume Quartet, formed in 2001 for the London Symphony Orchestra's Discovery program. In August 2010, his classical ensemble The Puertas Quartet reached the semi-finals of the Bordeaux
International String Quartet Competition.
Other credits include:
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
musician, composer, ensemble leader and songwriter who plays classical violin with the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
and also manages a solo pop music career.
Life
Tom Norris was born in KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and attended Chetham's School of Music as a child. Later he studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and began singing and playing in local clubs as a jazz violinist with musicians including Lionel Grigson
Lionel Grigson
Lionel Grigson was a British jazz pianist, cornettist and teacher. He was educated at Dartington Hall School and at King's College, Cambridge University. His father was the critic and poet Geoffrey Grigson and his first wife was the publisher Margaret Busby.In the late 1960s he led a quintet with...
. After finishing school, he played as an extra with the London Symphony Orchestra, began to write songs and toured in a piano trio with Norbert Zehm and Kate Shortt. He continued his studies at Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada, and then took a position for two years as Principal Second Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its primary concert venue is the Centennial Concert Hall, and the orchestra also performs throughout the province of Manitoba.-History:...
. He returned to London for a position with the London Symphony Orchestra, where he plays Co-Principal Second Violin.
Norris has worked with a broad range of musical acts including The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators.-Career:British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Antony's music through his Durtro label. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released...
, John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Manu Delago
Manu Delago
Manu Delago is an Austrian Hang player, percussionist and composer based in London.- Biography :Manu Delago was born in Tyrol, Innsbruck, and took music lessons as a child in accordion and piano. As a 14-year-old, he played drums for various rock bands, and in 2003 his rock band HotchPotch won the...
, Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
, Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim, KBE is an Argentinian-Israeli pianist and conductor. He has served as music director of several major symphonic and operatic orchestras and made numerous recordings....
, Bernard Haitink
Bernard Haitink
Bernard Johan Herman Haitink, CH, KBE is a Dutch conductor and violinist.- Early life :Haitink was born in Amsterdam, the son of Willem Haitink and Anna Haitink. He studied music at the conservatoire in Amsterdam...
and Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
. In March 2010, Norris played violin for The Who's production of Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London as a tenth anniversary charity benefit for the Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals. The units are dedicated areas for teenage patients, who are involved in their concept and creation...
. On 3 July 2010, he performed as the opening act for Eric Clapton at DTE Energy music theatre.
Norris leads the Vuillaume Quartet, formed in 2001 for the London Symphony Orchestra's Discovery program. In August 2010, his classical ensemble The Puertas Quartet reached the semi-finals of the Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
International String Quartet Competition.
Discography
Norris maintains a broad discography, having appeared on numerous CDs as a musician, composer and/or ensemble leader. In 2010 he debuted as a solo recording artist, issuing his first popular music CD, Edge of the World.Other credits include:
- Various Artists, Radio DisneyRadio DisneyRadio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
Jams, Vol. 12, Composer - Various Artists, Family Jams, Vol. 3, Composer
- RPWLRPWLRPWL is a German progressive rock band. Their music is distributed by Inside Out Music.The band was formed in 1997 in Freising, Germany as a Pink Floyd cover band...
, Gentle Art of Music, String Arrangements - RPWL, Gentle Art of Music, Viola
- Various Artists, It's Teen Disney, Composer
- RPWL, Gentle Art of Music, Violin
- EscalaEscala (group)Escala is an electronic string quartet, from London, England who rose to fame when they performed on and reached the final of the second series of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1 in May 2008.- Background :...
, Escala, Violin - DeclanDeclan GalbraithDeclan John Galbraith is an English singer. He is best known for his 2002 hit single, "Tell Me Why", which peaked at #29 in the UK Singles Chart.-Early influence:...
, Declan, Leader - Johan de MeijJohan de MeijJohannes Abraham de Meij is a Dutch conductor, trombonist, and composer, best known for his Symphony No. 1, nicknamed "The Lord of the Rings" symphony.- Biography :...
, Johan de Meij: Symphony No. 1 "Lord of the Rings", Violin - Mannheim SteamrollerMannheim SteamrollerMannheim Steamroller is an American music group founded by Chip Davis and Jackson Berkey, known primarily for its modern recordings of Christmas music. The group has sold 28 million albums in the U.S. alone.-Beginnings:...
, Fresh Aire Collector's Box, Vol. 1-8, Violin - Mannheim Steamroller, Fresh Aire 8, Violin
- Various Artists, Music of Hope, Violin
- Chris BrubeckChris BrubeckChristopher Brubeck , better known as Chris Brubeck, is a U.S. musician and composer, both in jazz and classical music. As a musician, he mainly plays electric bass, bass trombone, and piano. The son of noted jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, he toured and recorded for ten years with The Dave...
, Bach to Brubeck: Bass Trombone Concerto/Blues Suite for Banjo & Orchestra, Violin - Nanci GriffithNanci GriffithNanci Griffith, is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter from Austin, Texas.-Biography:...
, Dust Bowl Symphony, Violin - Shinjuku Thief, "Witch Hammer, Feedback