Tom Brier

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Tom Brier: Biography

Ragtime pianist and composer, born October 3, 1971, in Oakdale, California.

Tom Brier speaking at a ragtime event
Tom Brier at a ragtime event.

Tom Brier is one of the most prolific and best-loved ragtime composers of his generation. He wrote his first rag at eleven, performed for ragtime societies by fourteen, and went on to write more than 200 piano pieces while playing festivals from California to Missouri.

Early life and education

Tom grew up in Oakdale, in California’s Central Valley south of Sacramento. When he was four his parents bought him a player piano, and he began lessons with a local teacher the following year. At eleven, in 1982, he wrote his first piece, “Pine Cone Rag.”

He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from California State University, Stanislaus (Turlock) in 1993. He later worked as a programmer and analyst for the County of Sacramento while continuing to compose and perform.

Musical career

By 1985, at the age of fourteen, Tom was performing for Sacramento-area ragtime societies. From then until 2016 he played ragtime festivals and concerts around the country, including the West Coast Ragtime Festival, the Santa Cruz Ragtime Festival, the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri, and the Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival.

His first album, Rising Star, came out on Stomp Off Records in 1994, and more solo albums followed through 2016, along with two duet albums with pianist Nan Bostick and two with the Raspberry Jam Band. See the full discography.

Tom worked with other ragtime writers and performers, including Nan Bostick, Neil Blaze, Eric Marchese and Galen Wilkes. His rag “Green Clover” is a collaboration in which he wrote the B section.

Style and compositions

Tom is known for his deep knowledge of early ragtime and for playing it with power and precision. His own music ranges from classic ragtime to fox trots, stride and novelty piano. Reviewers describe his rags as having sprawling melodies and colorful harmonies.

He also has a collector’s ear: he built a personal collection of over 1,000 pieces of sheet music and is known for sight-reading nearly any score.

Notable pieces include “Razor Blades” (1994), “Delphinium Rag” (written on commission for the Ragtime Wizardry project), “Coriander Rag,” “Skunk Hollow Rag” and the Constellations suite. Browse the compositions list.

Online audience

Around 2007, Tom’s friend Ron O’Dell began posting video of his performances on YouTube, including fast sight-read arrangements of video-game and popular themes. Those videos introduced his playing to a worldwide audience far beyond the ragtime festival circuit, and many are still watched today. See the videos page.

Recognition

2016 and today

On August 6, 2016, Tom was seriously injured when a truck rear-ended his car. The accident ended his performing career. After a long course of treatment he now lives with his parents in Oakdale, California, and continues therapy. Friends in the Sacramento-area ragtime community have supported him and his family throughout.

Tom’s music keeps finding new listeners. If his playing has meant something to you, send a note.

Timeline

  1. Born in Oakdale, California.
  2. Writes his first composition, “Pine Cone Rag.”
  3. Performs for ragtime societies in the Sacramento area at age 14.
  4. Graduates with a computer science degree from California State University, Stanislaus.
  5. Releases Rising Star on Stomp Off Records and writes “Razor Blades.”
  6. Duet albums with Nan Bostick; solo albums Skeletons (2003) and Rewind (2006).
  7. Recordings with Nan Bostick appear in Ken Burns’s Unforgivable Blackness.
  8. Ron O’Dell begins sharing Tom’s performances on YouTube.
  9. Albums Blue Sahara (2009), Constellations (2012), Live in Concert (2015) and Vintage Ragtime (2016).
  10. Car accident ends his performing career.
  11. Receives the Ragtime Outstanding Achievement Award.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is Tom Brier?

Tom Brier is an American ragtime pianist and composer, born October 3, 1971, in Oakdale, California. He has written more than 200 piano compositions, released albums since 1994 and performed at ragtime festivals across the United States.

What is Tom Brier’s most famous song?

“Razor Blades,” written in 1994, is his best-known composition and is regarded as a standard of modern ragtime.

How many compositions has Tom Brier written?

More than 200 piano compositions, about half of them rags, plus fox trots, stride and novelty pieces. His first, “Pine Cone Rag,” dates from 1982, when he was 11.

Is Tom Brier still performing?

No. A car accident on August 6, 2016 ended his performing career. He lives with his parents in Oakdale, California, and continues therapy. His recordings, compositions and videos continue to reach listeners.

Where can I listen to Tom Brier’s music?

His albums are on major streaming services, and the full catalogue of recordings can be browsed on tombriermusic.com. This site’s Videos page has performances you can play directly.

What awards has Tom Brier received?

In 2023 he received the Ragtime Outstanding Achievement Award from the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation. The Tom Brier Scholarship is also awarded in his honor at the Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival.

Sources