Thomas Shell Obituary

April 15, 1947 - March 18, 2017 Tom Shell, 69, Los Angeles, passed away peacefully at his home on March 18, 2017, after an extended illness. No formal services will be held. Tom was born in Wallowa, Oregon, the only child of Thorsten and Marian Shell (nee Cobb). It was apparent from a young age that Tom was musically gifted, particularly so with his innate talents on the keyboard. Tom studied music at Whitman College, Stanford University and then Juilliard School. From there, world-renowned pianist, composer and teacher, Nadia Boulanger, selected him to study piano with her for two years. Tom's high caliber musicianship was expressed professionally as a pianist, arranger, conductor, vocal coach and session singer. He worked with many luminaries of stage, screen and television over nearly four decades and performed both nationally and internationally. He was the Principal Accompanist of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles from 2000 to 2007. Tom as a member of SAG-AFTRA and AFM. As important to Tom as his professional credits, were his many life-long friendships with people from all walks of life. Tom's bright smile, disarming openness, clever wit and gracious charm quickly endeared him to all he met. He was a daily presence at Blu Jam Cafe in Hollywood where he forged strong friendships with both staff and patrons which he valued greatly. All who knew Tom were enriched by their experiences of his genuine and generous nature. During the final weeks of his life, a steady stream of friends came to his home to indulge in reminiscing and joyful banter with Tom. He leaves his many friends with an empty space in their hearts but also with an understanding of what beauty and generosity in a human being can bring to all our hearts. Go serenely; we love you deeply.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Mar. 22, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Shell

10 Entries

Gail Davidson Hayes Fineberg

September 4, 2024

Tom Shell and I grew up at the keyboards of my grandmother Jeannie Gail Ashby, our first piano teacher, and his auntie, Anne Shell Mahoney, who taught music to every Wallowa Public School child in grades One through 12 for decades. Tom´s Auntie Anne, his mother Marianne a beautiful red-haired Georgia girl, my mother Gilda Davidson and grandmother Jeannie Ashby all played bridge together once a week all fall and winter-until tolerable weather lured Gilda out to the golf course (she was club champion for number of years). I was pretty good pianist but limited to what I could read and memorize; Tom excelled early and often , quickly becoming Nana´s star pupil. She would be so proud to know of his career. Marianne and Tory were so proud of their son and Auntie Anne would have been also. His life was music from age 4-5 on. He may be pretty much the end of Wallowa `s Shell line, as I feel I´m at tail end of Davidson/Ashby line. I have a daughter Dawn Hayes with no children and son John Delbert "Del" Hayes with two children, neither of whom seems to have slightest interest in old family stories, as if history/the world started with them. Neither has children though one might; she´s only 25. I have access to Jeannie´s grand piano, a Steinway, that Tom learned to play. I miss not having a piano on my old lady´s retirement house.

Matt Lendach

October 12, 2021

I was just cleaning up my far too cluttered Outlook Inbox, and came across emails from the great Tom Shell. He sent them shortly before his death, and he pressed incredibly warm wishes to my wife and I for the birth of our daughter in January 2017. I am so glad I have his emails. Tom Shell was an absolutely fantastic person. Super warm, and that was on display at the dozens and dozens of meals we shared together at the original Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose. Tom Shell's spirit is immortal there. I hope you are enjoying Heaven, Tom!

Louis Spiller

February 10, 2019

You were a great man and I'm sorry that you passed away I just got through watching the movie cop dog and I saw the little boy crying cause you passed in the movie and it made me think of my dad rest in heaven ❤

I watched the movie and I cried

Louis Spiller

February 10, 2019

Florence Riggs

February 10, 2018

It's nearly a year since Tom Shell made his transition. I haven't seen or talked to Tom in too many years but I know that we always had a deep heartfulness of love & respect for each other. One time he decided to have a voice lesson with me and insisted on paying me for it even though I said it was a gift. After his check went through the bank and was cashed, I happened to look at it and discovered that he had made it out to Florence Henderson, who he was friends with and had worked with! I called him immediately and we had a great laugh about that. For some reason, tonight, while driving through Studio City a great rush of love for Tom enveloped me. It was then that I picked up my phone and did a Google search and found that he had passed a year ago. I don't know if anyone will read this at all but I had to get my thoughts down about Tom. Well my dear sweet Tom, fly free, rest easy, and enjoy your heavenly friendships and concerts and whatever else is up there, or over there, or in there. And come back to a planet that works for everyone when it's your time to return. Much much love. I send deep blessings of light. Florence Riggs

February 10, 2018

It's nearly a year since Tom Shell made his transition. I haven't seen or talked to Tom and many years but I know that we always had a deep heartfulness of love for each other. When he decided to have a voice lesson with me and insisted on paying me for it. After it went through the bank and was cashed, I happened to look at the check and he had made it out to Florence Henderson, who he was friends with and had worked with! I called him immediately and we had a great laugh about that. For some reason, tonight, while driving through Studio City a great Russia love for Tom enveloped me. It was then that I picked up my phone and did a Google search and found that you had passed year ago. I don't know if anyone will read this at all but I have to get my thoughts down about Tom. Well my dear sweet Tom, fly free, rest easy, and enjoy your heavenly friendships and concerts and whatever else is up there, or over there, or in there. And come back to a planet that works for everyone when it's your time to return. Much much love. I send deep blessings of light. Florence Riggs

Martha and Fili

Martha Bretz Lant 7810 Oakhurst Circle

September 1, 2017

We all adored Tom. In recent years communication stalled because of a misunderstanding. We thought of him with much love and respect. We miss you, Tom, and know you are reunited with your loving parents and cousin Cornell Bretz. Hugs to Tom's cousin Jane and partner and friends.

Lou Ann Crow Wolfe

April 8, 2017

Tom Shell...many childhood memories of Wallowa County and piano lessons! Even in grade school Tom and Steve Crow were the cheerleaders for those of us who struggled through our practices and lessons. Even though I was from Joseph and Tom from Wallowa the bond of our being the same age made us great buddies. His quick wit and sincerity played out in his musical talent. I am blessed to have known Tom and to have shared in his earthly time.

Michael Homan

April 7, 2017

Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tom Shell. We studied with the same piano teacher in Enterprise, near his hometown of Wallowa, OR. He was always an exceptional musician and I remember visiting him in Paris while he was studying with Boulanger and living at the Cite Universite. He cautioned me to speak French when I appeared at the front desk -- staff spoke fluent English, but refused to speak English unless spoken to in French first (it was 1971). I remember being delighted when he asked to practice on my piano in Westwood (LA) when he first moved to southern California to break into the music business. Rest in peace dear Thomas.

Kent Jones

March 22, 2017

I am sorry to hear that we have lost Tom Shell. He was a great help to me when I was new to the All Saints' Choir. He was far more talented than I could ever hope to be. And until now, I had forgotten that we shared a birthday.

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