Tom Watson: Trumpet
Tom is one of the busiest young trumpeters on the London music scene. He was born into a musical family in Hertfordshire, and showed a flare for playing the trumpet from the age of just 4 taught by his father James Watson, a prolific international soloist and session trumpeter. Tom took a place at the Royal Academy of Music in 1997, where he completed a degree with first class honours. Whilst still at college, he began to enjoy a varied professional freelance career, and was guest principal trumpet with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra for nearly a year, an orchestra based in Germany , where he performed under Claudio Abbado, Daniel Harding, Sir Neville Marriner and others. Since then, he has been fortunate enough to have played alongside some of the most prolific musicians in the world. Tom can be regularly found performing and recording with the London Symphony Orchestra, The BBC Symphony Orchestra, The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and The Philharmonia whilst guesting less frequently with The Halle, The English Chamber Orchestra, The Welsh National Opera and many others. Tom was also asked to perform with the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra (USA) at the BBC PROMS in 2001. He also held a position at the West End production of Phantom of the Opera for 2 years.
Commercially, Tom has worked with well known artists including Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Jarvis Cocker, Pete Doherty, Nick Cave , Beth Orton, Grace Jones, Ed Hardcourt, Gem, Karl Jenkins, Sarah Brightman, Cast and Victoria Wood. Tom also played trumpet at HRH Golden Jubilee celebrations 'Party At The Palace' playing with mega stars including Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, and Joe Cocker.
Some of his more recent work has included recording the scores for the movies "STORMBREAKER" - "ERAGON" - "Donkey ote" and Mike Oldfield and Karl Jenkins' latest project "Music of the Spheres". He has also been involved as a instrumental consultant in the filming and production of a movie adaptation of Mozart's' 'the magic Flute' directed by Kenneth Brannagh and Steven Fry.
Other credits include music for The BAFTA awards, Sony Playstation 3, Cadburys cream egg, Lloyds Bank, Shipmates and Finishing School (channel 4), and countless others.
Something Tom has always held a big interest in is writing and arranging. Mainly for brass ensembles, but more recently for commercial use. He has had works performed at the Barbican, The Royal Albert Hall, The Festival hall, and at 3 Film Premiers at the Odeon Leicester Square in the presence of HRH the Queen.
Tom is also Musical Director for internationally renowned harpist Catrin Finch which involves arranging, recording and directing her commercial and ensemble projects including her recent big band album "String Theorey".
In 2006 Tom formed PROZONE MUSIC.COM with his brother Will. It is a company serving musicians at every level. Combining instrument retail, with a recording studio, it is a hive of musical activity recording professional groups and ensembles, and retailing instruments on the web. It now has agents working throughout the Uk , in Ireland and Scandinavia .
Aside from music, Tom enjoys walking his pet dog Max with wife Louise, a little golf, and sailing with his family.
