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