TOMMY SUTHERLAND

I started playing at age 13, influenced early by bands such as The Beatles, The Doors, James Gang, Deep Purple, along with a number of renown jazz drummers including Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones and Tony Williams. I played in a number of rock and roll bands, one jazz trio, and several school bands at KCKJC.

Later, (1977 I think) I went on to play in an all original band called Orphann. We traveled a lot, did some shows, and put together a couple of self-produced albums. I played and traveled around in various incarnations of this band through the 80's, playing in a couple local club bands along the way. The last version of the original Orphann group was a metal band called YLD. We traveled a lot, recorded an album and eventually disbanded for good. I spent a few years in a local country-rock band and then in 1994 was asked to join the Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band. I stayed until they disbanded in the fall of 2000. I played classic rock with Charlie and the Stingrays for about a year and also began playing with ex-Bon Ton bandmates Oscar Polk, Cliff Eveland, and ex-Stingrays guitarist Brion Leftwich in a jazz, R&B, rock group that would eventually become the Oscar Polk Band. I also played for a few months of 2002 with Big John & The 39th Blues Band.

It would be impossible to list all the drummers, percussionists, and groups that have influenced my playing. My career has been one of twists and turns, involving many different styles of music - "a strange and lovely ride" as Marc Cohn says. Perhaps this diversity was why in August of 2002, I was asked to join THE ELDERS. Well here I am, quite fortunate to be in the presence of so much positive, pure musical energy. OFF WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!