Thomas Beckner

Thomas Beckner earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, graduating in 1986. At Berklee he studied jazz piano, composition, synthesis and recording.

Tom has worked as a musical director and accompanist for many musical theatre and dance productions. He has performed with many musical theatre schools and regional theatres including Broadhollow Players, Gateway Playhouse and Adelphi University.

For eight years Tom worked with comedian Bob Nelson. Bob is known for his cast of zany characters to which Tom provided musical accompaniment. They have performed in numerous comedy clubs and theatres from the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City to the Roxy in Los Angeles. Television appearances have included "Caroline's Comedy Hour" on A&E. Tom wrote music for a children¹s t.v. show called "The Laugh A Lot Club" starring Bob Nelson and Peter Pitofsky.

While working with Bob, Tom has shared the stage with other famous comedians such as Rodney Dangerfield, Rosie O'Donnell, Anthony Clarke, Richard Belzer, Emo Phillips, Adam Ferrara, and John Mulrooney. He also provided music for a sketch comedy troupe with Gary Valentine, Joey Kola, Rock Rueben, Jim Myers and Kevin James who now has his own T.V. show, "The King of Queens."

Tom composes and records in his personal project studio and his compositions are available for licensing through several music libraries. Recent licensing deals have been for a video game on the Ty Beanie Babies web site and for a virtual tour of a medieval castle.

Tom has been teaching music for over fifteen years, including piano, guitar and bass, in classical, jazz and popular styles.