TOMAS NILSSON

composer | arranger | music producer | percussionist

WHO

Tomas Nilsson is a Swedish composer and percussionist, who grew up in the idyllic surroundings of a small Swedish island, off the western coast of Gothenburg; called Donsö. 

“The characteristic atmosphere on Donsö was always one of warmth. People took care of each other. Everyone knew pretty much everybody else. ...A 'caring' place, you could say!“, Tomas muses.

WHEN / HOW

When Tomas was in middle school (11 years old), he began what would turn out to be a varied and successful career as musician and composer. First, he tried his hand at playing in the brass section of his middle school marching band. But by the age of 15-16 years old, Tomas had switched over to the drums; at the request and encouragement of the bandleader, Mats Gunnarsson.

Tomas seemed to have found his calling, and by his late teens, he was studying percussion, under the tutorage of Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra’s percussionist, Bo Holmstrand; and also studying music education (Musikvetenskap) at the University of Gothenburg. It was during this period that Tomas was first introduced to and enamored with orchestral music.

After this period of education and tutorage, it was time, however, for Tomas to join the family business, in the maritime and fishing industries; specializing in shipping management, and in trawl manufacturing. But that did not hamper Tomas from continuing to pursue, develop and expand his musical dexterity and expertise. Over the following years, Tomas began - and became all the more proficient in - writing and arranging, for both big band and choir. He abilities grew, from strenght to strength!

By his 30’s, besides his accomplishments as composer and arranger for big band, Tomas’ interest in symphony orchestration had reached such a level that the logical and natural “next step”, in his musicianship journey, was to begin composing even for orchestra! 

WHAT / WHERE / WITH WHOM

As composer/arranger/percussionist, Tomas Nilsson has collaborated with a host of sundry musicians and vocalists. International greats: David Sanborn  -  Randy Brecker  -  Alphonso Johnson  -  Norman Fearrington (drummer for Tina Turner)  -  Swedish opera singer, Carolina Sandgren  -  Danish jazz pianist, composer, and producer, Niels Lan Doky  -  percussionist, Vinnie Colaiuta, among others; and with Scandinavian musicians and artists, the likes of –– Lollo Gartman  -  Frank Ådahl  -  Per-Erik Hallin  -  Gladys Del Pilar  -  American singer/songwriter Raye Walter  - Hammerfall bassist, Magnus Rosén  ––  to name but a few. These and other collaborations have resulted in a number of tours to the United Kingdom, and the U. S., through the years, as well. 

One of Tomas’ earliest 'forays' onto the international stage was actually as percussionist in a Billy Graham Crusade orchestra, visiting Sweden, in the mid-1970s; as well as alternate percussionist with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. And Tomas has particularly fond and meaningful memories of another opportunity he, years later, received, to play percussion with American composer and arranger (who composed the theme to the American TV series classic, “Bonanza”), Ralph Carmichael’s orchestra and choir, in a concert series, in Stockholm, 2006; in which Carmichael introduced Tomas to his attending audiences - and referred to Tomas as - “…‘my’ drummer”! 

And all the while (for nearly 20 years), Tomas also played and toured as drummer for the nationally-acclaimed Swedish big band, “Himlaväsen”. 

From his Donsö youth band days, to Gothenburg Concert Hall, to Royal Albert Hall – Tomas Nilsson’s music journey has been far-reaching, expansive, and varied; culminating in what today is the incredible breadth and depth of this composer/percussionist’s noteworthy music agility. 

tomasnilssonmusic

WHY NOW

”Vilken möjlighet man har idag att nå människor (What opportunities there are, today, to reach such broad and varied populations)!”, Tomas explains. 

”I want to “reach out” to people, through my music; with spiritually-inspirational, as well as with symphonic compositions!”

His personal wish for you, the listener:

“I want to spread my music...from my heart, to your heart! I pray that my music will touch your life!” 

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