Welcome to the website of jazz bassist, composer, educator, and author Fumi Tomita

November 17: Upcoming appearances in New Orleans, Georgia, Texas, and Graz, Austria

It's been busy here but I've got new dates including a short tour of Georgia In January with David Detweiler, Bill Peterson and Ben Adkins.  I'm also performing at the Jazz Education Network conference in January, on Friday the 5th at noon, location TBA, and will be with David Detweiler, Leon Anderson, and Oscar Rossignoli.  I'm also going to be a guest adjudicator down in Texas A&M University down in Kingsville, Texas at the end of March.  Finally, I'll be presenting my latest research at the Rhythm Changes conference in Graz, Austria; the title is “Music to Ease your Disease: The Wellness of Horace Silver.”  More details on the “schedule” page.  

Over here in Amherst, Thomas Giampietro and I recently accompanied Jeff Holmes, my colleague and the director of the Jazz and African American Music program here at UMASS. who was invited to present for the Chancellor's Lecture Series.  Besides all the travel, I'm currently planning to record sometime in the spring or summer of next year and there will be some surprises, so stay tuned.  Thanks.

July 16: New book!

Coming out in early 2024

Early Jazz: A Concise introduction from its beginnings through 1929

Besides being a performer and educator, I'm passionate about jazz history.  It led me to write a much needed update of the early jazz era. The final draft of the cover came in and I'd like to share it with you.  I've been working on this book for two years and I'm very excited as it nears completion. It is being published by SUNY Press and they've been great to work with.  Currently scheduled to be available in early 2024.  Stay tuned for more!

Performance and clinic at the International Society of Bassists Conference

Next week, I'll be heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend the ISB conference.  A bit of a dream come true for me to perform there and I'm grateful for the opportunity.  I'll be performing Wednesday June 7 at 5pm at the Miller Theater on the University of Michigan campus.  I will be joined by David Detweiler on tenor saxophone, Ellen Rowe on piano, and Jesse Kramer on drums.  We'll be playing music from the Bird cd from 2020. Earlier that day at 2pm I will be hosting a masterclass on jazz bass technique.   

Updates! April 27, 2023

Hello, it's been insanely busy for me since the last post.  I've been busy writing my book Early Jazz: A Concise Introduction for SUNY press which I just submitted a few weeks ago, so look out for that in early 2024.

In March 2022, I went out to Orlando, Florida to record with my good friend and colleague David Detweiler on saxophone.  The recording, There used to be rain, will be released on May 5th so that should be good.  Videos and more updates on the album are coming soon.

Otherwise I've also been playing intermittently around Western Mass., mostly in the Berkshires with trombonist Don Mikkelsen but also here in Amherst with my fellow faculty members.  This past February we did a wonderful faculty concert of originals, arrangements, and a special performance of some Yellowjackets songs from their 1987 album Four Corners. 

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Celebrating Bird concert, October 6, 2021

My faculty recital at UMass Amherst on Wednesday October 6 was live-streamed and available on the video page.  With Jeff Holmes (drums), Thomas Giampietro (drums) and special guest David Detweiler (tenor saxophone)

October 2021 gigs

It's been a busy couple of months and there have been lots of nice gigs this summer, including a Jazz in July outdoor concert on July 30th and a pair of concerts at the Amherst Historical Society in August.  

This month I have a number of shows that I am excited to tell you about.  First off is a pair of shows on Thursday Sept. 30 at New City Brewery in Easthampton, MA  6-8pm and then Friday Oct. 1 at Pulaski Park in Northampton, MA as part of the Northampton Jazz Festival.  Both are with Jon Fischer on drums and Evan Martzen on saxophone and clarinet.  We'll be joined on Oct. 1 by guitarist Matt Munisteri.

The following week, tenor saxophonist David Detweiler will join me from Florida State University for my faculty recital on Wed. October 6 at Bezanson Recital Hall at UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA at 7:30pm and we'll perform material from our 2020 release, Celebrating Bird: The music of Charlie Parker.  We will joined by my colleagues Jeff Holmes on piano and Thomas Giampietro on drums.  This concert will be streamed live on Youtube and can be accessed from this page.  Afterwards, David and I travel to Rochester, NY where we will perform at the  College Music Society National Conference on Friday October 8 at 11am where we will play excerpts from the album duo.  

Guest artist at the University of Northern Iowa's Bass Jamboree

On September 24-25, I visited Cedar Falls, Iowa where I was a guest at UNI's Bass Jamboree which took place on Saturday the 25th.  It was fun day filled with concerts and masterclasses.  It was a pleasure working with the students as well as with fellow bassist Dr. Alex Pershounin.  The concert was with UNI jazz faculty: Chris Merz (saxes), Michael Conrad (piano), and Joshua Atkinson (drums).  On the 24th, I gave a rhythm section masterclass to UNI students.  

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University of Northern Iowa Bass Jamboree

The Shape of Bass to Come: ISB Presentation with Dr. Robert Sabin on June 10th at 2pm

International Society of Bassists Virtual Conference happens June 8-12.  I'm presenting with Dr. Robert Sabin and my portion features analysis of Haden's performance on "Ramblin'".  Once registered our video is available for viewing.  The question and answer session happens on Thursday June 10 at 2pm.  

Click on the picture below for more information.  Click HERE for my other work on Charlie Haden.

Clinic at the Jazz Education Network, January 7, 2021

Northampton Jazz Festival, etc.

New album coming in August 2020

Interviews from September 2020!

New Album on Summit!

Upcoming Shows