My name is Tom Phelan and I'm a vibes (vibraphone) player living in the Boston MetroWest area. I often perform with the MetroWest Jazz Project (MWJP), a group that consists of me on vibes, Brett Baker on guitar, Mike Caruso on bass and Ed Conley on drums. I also sometimes perform with the wonderful singer Jean Gough.

Click here to sign up for the MWJP newsletter.

What's a vibraphone? Click here for the Wikipedia article on the vibraphone (mostly written by me).

Performance video:

• From the ESL Coffeehouse in Hopkinton, MA on 31-Mar-2007. With Brett Baker on guitar and Mike Caruso on bass.
  • Beautiful Love -- 5:56, 15MB, WMV format
  • Recordame -- 6:28, 17MB, WMV format
  
  
• From the inaugural performance of the MWJP on 8-Apr-2006, at The Java Room in Chelmsford, MA with Brett Baker on guitar, Mike Caruso on bass and Ed Conley on drums. Here are a few tunes...
  • Invitation -- 9:03, 10MB, WMV format
  • It Might As Well Be Spring -- 9:53, 11MB, WMV format
  • All Blues -- 6:17, 7MB, WMV format

Upcoming gigs:

• 12-Apr-2008 (Saturday): First Parish Church 50th-anniversary Talent and Treasure Auction, Framingham, MA (24 Vernon St.), 5:30-7:00PM, with the MetroWest Jazz Project (me on vibes, Breatt Baker on guitar, Mike Caruso on bass and Mike Connors on drums). For more info see www.firstparishframingham.org.


• 12-Apr-2008 (Saturday): At The Java Room in Chelmsford, MA (14 Littleton Rd, Ginger Ale Plaza), 8-10PM, with Jean Gough and Friends (me on vibes, Jean on vocals, Pete Martin on trumpet, Tom Grandprey on bass and a drummer to be named later :-)). For more info see www.thejavaroom.com.


• 13-May-2008 (Tuesday): At Main Streets Market & Cafe in Concord, MA (42 Main St.), 7-10PM, with The MetroWest Jazz Project (me on vibes, Brett Baker on guitar, Mike Caruso on bass and Ed Conley on drums). For more info see www.mainstreetsmarketandcafe.com.

Some interesting vibes links:

• Ed Saindon's website -- I've been studying with Ed since about May of 2004. Spectacular player, fantastic teacher and all-around nice guy. Be sure to check out his concert videos, especially his solo performance of My Funny Valentine.


• Larry's Improv Page -- This website, run by vibist Tony Miceli, has a wealth of info for vibists and jazz players. Check out Tony's "Quick and Dirty" videos, a real treasure-trove of solo vibes techniques.


• TheVibe.net -- Run by vibist Gerry Grosz, the message board here is loaded with great vibes talk contributed by a very helpful bunch of players.

Some local organizations that sponsor jazz performances:

• Amazing Things Arts Center -- This group, located in the Saxonville section of Framingham, MA, has a loaded schedule of jazz (and other) performances, including open jam sessions every Tuesday night. I'm there every Tuesday that my day job allows. The rotating house bands are really hot, most of the sit-in players can wail too, but the atmosphere is highly supportive.


• Cultural Arts Alliance of Hopkinton -- This group, located in my home town, runs a wide variety of arts programs including performances, graphic arts shows, and classes. My wife is the executive director and I run the website.

I have a website for my day job at www.phelan-4.com. Be warned that going there involves a descent into the seventh level of geekdom.