BEST TOM BRIER MOMENTS AND IMPROVISATIONS | PART 3

PART 3 HAS ARRIVED!

Tom Brier is an American ragtime pianist and composer whose fiery left-hand attack has amazed audiences for decades. His style is equal parts machine-gun octaves, nimble walking bass lines, and expertly-placed chords that can shift at a moment’s notice between delicate arpeggiations and punchy staccatos.

Born in Oakdale, California, Tom displayed an early fascination with ragtime courtesy of his family’s player piano. By the time he was just four years old, he could pick out the tunes he heard from the piano rolls—and at five, he began formal lessons. Composing came naturally to him, and by age 11, he had already written over two dozen rags, among them his first “serious” piece, “Pine Cone Rag.”

Tom’s talents quickly caught the attention of ragtime fans and veteran performers. At 14, he stunned listeners at Sacramento Ragtime Society gatherings with his virtuosity and fearless approach to improvisation. His remarkable sight-reading abilities and devotion to ragtime led to him becoming a headliner at major festivals like the West Coast Ragtime Festival, Sutter Creek, and Fullerton.

Even while earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University at Turlock, Tom never stopped honing his craft. He continued to expand his collection of ragtime sheet music—now numbering over 1,000 pieces—and composed and published more than 100 original rags himself. His collaborations include work with esteemed composers like Eric Marchese, Neil Blaze, Gil Lieberknecht, and Kathi Backus.

Throughout his career, Tom has brought his high-energy flair to stages across the U.S., releasing multiple solo albums and memorable collaborations with Nan Bostick, not to mention recordings with his Raspberry Jam Band. In 2016, he was involved in a rear-end collision that unfortunately left him severely brain damaged, affecting his speech, mobility, and ability to play piano. He currently resides with his parents in Oakdale, California, and continues to receive support from UC Davis as he focuses on recovery.

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Despite these hardships, Tom Brier’s legacy as one of the most inventive and beloved figures in modern ragtime remains strong. Whether it’s his explosive renditions of ragtime classics or his original compositions performed with a dazzling flair, Tom’s influence continues to echo across the ragtime community and beyond.

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