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Tom Garvin Obituary
Tom Garvin, highly regarded jazz pianist, accompanist, arranger, composer, lyricist, and producer died from cancer July 31, 2011. He was 67. Born February 4, 1944, in Petersburg, VA, he graduated from Peabody Conservatory and served in the US Army Field Band as pianist/arranger. After moving to LA, he relocated to NYC for a couple of years before returning permanently to LA. There he became well-known as a first-call accompanist for jazz singers. Garvin's melodic and inventive arrangements and compositions were sparked with fresh and unpredictable ideas. His self-styled, creative solos were memorable and his genuine and authentic critiques made him one of a kind. Tom enjoyed a rich musical career performing and recording with countless artists and bands including Yolanda Adams, Art Farmer, Jack Jones, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, George Mraz, Lou Rawls, Estelle Reiner, Michal Urbaniak, Bill Watrous, Phil Woods, Sy Zentner, Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show. He leaves behind many friends and admirers including close, life-long friends, Tom Mitchell of Baltimore and Larry Revene of NYC. No service is planned at this time. Friends are invited to post to the online guest book, LATimes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tom Garvin
Cathy Segal-Garcia
July 30, 2022
Been a long time already. sigh....RIP Tommy. Here's what he said to me in a club a long time ago. "I never regretted anything I did, I only regretted what I didn't do." xoxoxoxo
September 13, 2011
Sharing with so many friends made this such a truly beautiful day for all.
Sherry and Ray
Larry Camp
August 22, 2011
Tom, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to record with you and spend a little time with you. God bless you on your journey.-Larry Camp
Rich Cooper
August 14, 2011
I played lead trumpet in Tom's big band in the 80's. From that association, we became friends and spent some great times "hanging out". I'd like to relay a story of Tom's whimsical and generous side.
I came up with a play on words song title that my mother (who did a little poetry), put words to. Also, her favorite song was 'Round Midnight",and Tom knew this. He also knew her birthday was near. One day he called and said I should come over to the house and bring my trumpet. He said "I put your Mom's words to music I want us to record it for her. I'll back you up on "Midnight" and you can send it to her for her birthday". We did that and Mom loved it. 20 or so years later I got a call from him.(I hadn't seen him for years as I had moved from LA) "I'm producing an album for a singer and that song of you and your mom's might work. Can we use It?" They did use it and it's on Denise Donatalli's debut album. The song is "A Roarin' Borin' Alice". Check out Tom's cheeky chart. It all started with him wanting to do something nice for my mom, who he met only once. I think of him often-- as a friend, brilliant musician and inspiration.
Rich Cooper
Joe & Sandy Botbol
August 13, 2011
Rest in peace dear Tom. We're happy to have been a small part of your life.
Michael Stephans
August 13, 2011
Dick McGarvin's comments about Tom's musicality reminded me of something else about Tom: His touch.
Tom had a way of working with the sustain pedal, in concert with the most sensitive way of depressing the keys. He was also a master of understatement. When you combined those qualities with his amazing sense of phrasing, playing off the silences, and always playing the right thing at the right time for either a singer or a horn player, you had an exemplary artist whose music you could FEEL as well as hear. To my way of thinking, Tom -- along with Alan Broadbent -- mastered those heightened sensitivities, and to make music with either was always exhilarating and deeply gratifying.
It's my hope that Tom's remarkable album "In Three Dimensions," will see the light of day, offering us yet another window into the beauty of who he was as an artist and as a person.
Dick McGarvin
August 11, 2011
It was in the late 70s that I first heard and met Tom. He was working with Cathy Segal (no Garcia then) at Stevie G’s, a club in Studio City. What grabbed me first was Tom’s playing with the trio before Cathy took the stand, especially on a tune I later learned was a Garvin original called “Talara.”
In the 30 plus years that I knew Tom, there have been so many wonderful moments hearing his musical genius on record and in person, working with Cathy, Mike Campbell, Julie Kelly, Sunny Wilkinson, Denise Donatelli, his own big band...and even at my own wedding reception 20 years ago. (With drummer Bob Leatherbarrow, bassist Dave Stone and singer Peggy Lauren, it wasn’t your typical wedding band.) It’s difficult to single out any of those moments, but there is one that comes to mind.
Tom was appearing with Madeline Eastman at The Room Upstairs at Le Cafe in Sherman Oaks. Only the two of them, just like BARE, the album they would later record. The song was “Say It Isn’t So.” Madeline’s performance was superb, as usual, but it's what Tom was playing behind her - or I should say WITH her - that literally brought tears. His accompaniment was sparse, inventive and inspired. Perfect. I know he had a habit of doing that all the time, yet that’s a moment I’ll never forget...just as I’ll never forget Tom. I’m so glad we were able to honor him with the tribute concert in March at Vitello’s while he was still with us.
Debra Mitchell
August 10, 2011
Friends will want to read a new article in the LA Times. Here is the direct link: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tom-garvin-20110811,0,6907787.story
Tom Garvin and Tom "Mitch" Mitchell at The Playboy Jazz Festival, June 1983
Debra Mitchell
August 10, 2011
Good times...best friends
Mike Renzi
August 9, 2011
The brilliant Tom Garvin.....RIP
Mike Renzi
Danny Barrett
August 9, 2011
Thanks Joe Sarver,I know you and your Friend Tee Dooley,were Tom's close buddies. I too, knew and worked with Tom. But you two guys were buddies from back then...I'm so sorry for your and the music worlds,LOSS...Sincerely,Danny Barrett
Frank Zottoli
August 8, 2011
Tom was a great, sensitive pianist and arranger. I was in touch with him this year only by phone, and I regret not having spent time with him. The last time I saw him he was Playing at Vibrato. I was so moved as he seemingly effortlessly wove endless phrases together, flowing like water.
God bless Tom.
August 8, 2011
Tom left an indelible impression on me for his kindness and his ability to lift every musician's performance. Bless that man!
George Galip, Los Angeles
George Galip
August 8, 2011
Tom was full of kindness and helped to make me feel welcome to the LA jazz scene. I think Tom had the rare gift of making each musician a little finer.
Bless that man
Carol Welsman
August 8, 2011
I met Tom 5 years ago, but instantly felt I had known him my whole life. His musicianship was remarkable, and he was my favorite accompanist. He will be sadly missed, but Tom you and your music will live on in our hearts. May you rest in peace and God bless.
Jack Jones
August 8, 2011
He played piano for me and was my friend for a few years. We wrote a song together which is just coming out now, ironically "I Can't Wait TO Miss You. I wanted Him to hear it it. He was a great arranger!!
Jack Jones
August 8, 2011
Tom's generous spirit was only matched by his joy of music making in a bittersweet life that was much too short. You will always be loved and admired. Roger Steinman (Port Hueneme, CA.)
Doug McIntyre
August 7, 2011
Tom Garvin was a wonderful musician and he will be missed by all.
Denise Donatelli
August 7, 2011
Tom was brilliant, gentle, kind, loving and generous. He was also my mentor. His musicianship was awe-inspiring and I'm proud to have gotten the chance to make music with him.
Thank you, Tom. It's hard to imagine this world without you. You will live on in my heart.
Joe Sarver
August 7, 2011
My relationship with Tom Garvin (and Tom's close friend Tom Mitchell) dates back to the mid seventies.I recorded an album with Tom, studied with him, gigged with him, played tennis with him, and spent countless hours contemplating life, music and the sharing of many jokes. Tom's warmth as a friend and musician goes way beyond what words can describe here.
'Garvin' helped me gain confidence (and momentum) in my musical abilities as a bass player and gave me some critical career guidance at a time in my life when I really needed it. I cherish the memories of our gigs together here in Richmond with singer Ernestine Jackson and the times we played duo together in my basement on Tom Mitchell's baby grand. We often both got teary-eyed while playing the ballads in these private moments together.
Most of all I will never forget Tom for playing solo piano (and singing) - "Everything Happens To Me" at 3:00am. This was after our gig was finished, the doors locked with restauranteur and magician, John Stevens pooring the drinks and also in tow on alto saxophone as Susan (my then girlfriend and now wife of 28 years)and I danced on the bar at Tom's command. This all took place in the dimly lit confines of Bogart's Back Room. It was literally like living a scene out of a movie scripted by Tom Waits and oh sooo Garvin-like...
I am deeply saddened by losing Tom but I am rejoicing in knowing he is no longer captive to dreaded earthly illness. One day "We'll Be Together Again" my long time friend and mentor.
Dan Sawyer
August 7, 2011
Tom Garvin will be missed in this town by everyone who likes good music. But Tom was more than a great pianist. He was a wonderful collaborator. He was able to perceive the overall concept and direction of a musical project and put it above everything else. Rest in peace my friend.
August 7, 2011
It's devastating to lose someone of this caliber at such an early age. I remembe him fondly and his talents were amazing. My deepest sympathy to the family and friends.
Donn Trenner
Madeline Eastman
August 7, 2011
Tom was a deep, thoughtful, soulful man. I loved having long talks about music and life with him. And making music with him. He has made an indelible mark on this planet.
Joe La Barbera
August 7, 2011
Tom has left a lasting imprint on the world of music for his great artistry, his warmth and wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed by so many but always remembered.
Michael Stephans
August 6, 2011
Sitting here on a rainy evening in the Poconos, I am trying to fashion a few words about what Tom meant to me as both a person and as a musical comrade.
I'm having some trouble with this... there's a gaping hole in my heart.
Without Tom, there wouldn't have been a Seventh Avenue. Without Tom,I wouldn't have learned as much about how important it was to trust the silence between notes and phrases. Without Tom, I wouldn't have laughed as much, both on the bandstand and off.
I think I can safely speak for Bob Sheppard, Bob Ojeda, and John Patitucci, when I say that Tom was a true inspiration as a bandmate and was much valued as a friend and mentor.
When the Seventh Avenue CD ("Seventh Heaven") was released early this year after languishing for over two decades in vinyl obscurity, Tom called me and was absolutely thrilled that it was finally seeing the light of day. We spoke for quite a while and the thing I remember most about our conversation was how happy he sounded -- even in the face of so much suffering.
I saw Tom two weeks before he passed. He couldn't speak, but when I held his hand, he squeezed my own. I felt awkward and inept, but told him that I loved him and hoped to play with him again someday.
If you have the chance, listen to "Elaine," one of the two solo piano offerings on Seventh Heaven. That piece, more than any other, sums up Tom's essence and spirit. It says more about him than these flimsy words could ever say.
Seventh Heaven turned out to be an appropriate title for our disc. That's where Tom will always reside for those of us who knew and loved him...
Warmest regards to all during this sad time...
Lew Tabackin
August 6, 2011
I knew Tom during my time in LA. I remember his wit as well as his extraordinary musicality. He will be missed by many.
Lew Tabackin
Rick Culver
August 6, 2011
I met Tom Garvin in the Army Field Band in 1966 when that organization hired so many of us young jazz players in order to found the Army Field Band's Stage Band (later to become the Jazz Ambassadors).
Tom was a genius in the field of jazz composition and jazz piano. I was lucky to meet him there because here was another friend from whom I could learn.
As with so many other unique people I met in the Army Field Band, Garvin was one of those people you never forgot whether it was good or bad. I hadn't seen him much in the last 30 years, but there was seldom a day that went by when I didn't think of his contribution to my own jazz education, not to mention the worlds.
I consider myself so lucky to be in L.A. for the Playboy Jazz Festival this June, staying with Peter Donald, because he made a determined effort to get ahold of Tom so I could come and say goodbye one final time.
And I consider it so fortunate that one of the most understanding people I know, Peter Woodford, was there holding Tom's hand when he finally passed on.
Rick Culver
Andy Mackintosh
August 6, 2011
I met and played with Tom on an album of mine and Bill Reichenbach's, along with John Heard and Joey Baron. It was the first time I'd met him. I loved his playing and we played one of his Compositions, "Whim". We have remained friends although I live a long way away. I miss him already. God Bless you Tom.
My thoughts go out to all family and friends
Billy Peterson
August 6, 2011
Tom...........Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful gift of music your whole life with all that were lucky enough to hear or play with you.
I'll never forget the wonderful recording sessions we did together. You lived and breathed music and were " all about the music" whatever context!!!! Your harmonic sense will always be fondly remembered and certainly will keep a smile on everyones face ........and especially mine as long as I'm around................no goodbye's............ just so long Tom...............................
Billy Peterson Bassist, Minneapolis
Cathy Segal-Garcia
August 6, 2011
Garv and I knew each other from about 1975. I was a young singer and he was an accomplished, in demand pianist. Those were still the days of the jazz club Donte's, The Sound Room, Carmello's....one night we were talking and he said this, which I quoted in one of my CDs..."I never regretted anything I did, I only regretted what I didn't do." Garv had a lot of classic things to say. He was truly the best accompanist I ever experienced in my career. He had some way of musically supporting a vocalist that was pure magic and professionalism. I'm sorry to lose you Tom, but I'm glad you're now resting in peace. Love you, man.
John Delia
August 6, 2011
Tom's playing and compositions were/are a tribute to his unrelenting desire to continually improve his abilities. It was only a few years back that he took it upon himself to restudy theory and harmony from the very beginning. Most of all, he will be remembered for his personal warmth and generosity. One could not find a better friend.
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