“A superior guitarist...a superior artist with plenty of potential.”
— Bruce Iglauer, President of Alligator Records
“One badass player...and believe me I've played with them all.”
— Benny Turner (brother and bassist of the late Freddie King)
“One of the finest guitarists I've ever, ever heard.”
— Albert Castiglia
“This is blues that will kickstart your heart! It’s sexy, bluesy, fretboard magic; blues guitar, played the way it should be. ” - Barry Kirzner
— American Blues Scene
“You listen to him and you feel you've just discovered genius. I don't know why he's not big-time. Maybe he chooses not to be; maybe he's as successful as he wants and needs to be. ”
— Michael Scott Cain-Rambles.net
“One of the best guitarists I've ever heard.”
— Tommy Castro
“The legend.”
— Joe Bonamassa
Tommy Z EPK
Tommy Z hails from Buffalo, NY. He's toured extensively around the world fronting his own group as an international/national festival headliner, co-frontman with Freddie King's brother/bassist Benny Turner and also as sideman to the likes of Grammy-winner Pinetop Perkins. Inducted into Buffalo's Music Hall of Fame in 2007 he's also done numerous tours for US troops around the world in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Egypt the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Micronesia etc. via USO/AFE. His award-winning and acclaimed guitar playing, singing and songwriting combines the best in classic and contemporary blues with pop, rock, jazz and funk influences. The last three self-produced albums, "Sometimes" 2013, "Blizzard of Blues" 2016 and “Plug in and Play” 2023 were all released on his South Blossom Records label to widespread critical acclaim and making chart positions lke the Top 5 Billboard Blues (plus Billboard's Heatseeker Chart), Top 5 on iTunes Blues and #1 charting/selling artist at Amazon, Roots Report, etc. These are affirmations to the commitment and work that goes into being a 100% true indie artist.
In 2018 and 2019 The TZB headlined the 2nd biggest New Years Eve Ball Drop in the country to an expected 40,000 (they were also booked for 2020 which was cancelled over the virus). 2019 Included headlining festivals in Denmark and again in Colombia, South America (w/a 3rd tour there in 2023) followed by support for Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughan's tours. The latest album entitled, "Plug in and Play" features songs written and produced by four-time Grammy-award winner Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, ZZ Top, Jagger/Richards, Clapton, etc.). One of the songs from the album called "Tommy Guns" was a finalist in the blues category of the 2021 International Songwriting Competition. In 2023 Tommy was honored to be a guest on Buddy Guy's farewell tour with an appearance onstage with the legend himself at Massey Hall. 2024 and 2025 are expected to see a series of new releases for fans worldwide.
Offstage Tommy has composed TV/film music for the "Red Hot Chili Peppers Biography" on A&E. He wrote the St. Louis Blues (NHL) victory song in 2009, has a variety of placements on NBC/Discovery/Biography/Animal Planet (co-writing the "Swamp Wars" show main title with music supervisor Matt Kierscht) and many more. He hosted the Saturday and Sunday Night Blues radio show on Buffalo's NPR affiliate WBFO 88.7 FM and has since left to start his own 24/7 station WBLZ, Blizzard of Blues Radio w/listeners in over 28 countries. His passion for teaching music has been put to use as a teacher and master class clinician for decades.
Booking Tommy Z and his band ensures you will have accomplished, experienced, world class talent at your festival, event or venue. He is also available as an event emcee/dj and for master classes/seminars.