Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommaso Taddonio.
Tommaso, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from France, my father is Italian (from the South) hence the very Italian name, and my mother is French.
I started playing drums as a kid (four years old). My dad used to take me to jazz and rock concerts as he is a big music fan and amateur keyboardist himself.
I started taking drumming lessons in Brazil when I lived there (from 7 to 12 years old). I then started to teach myself the piano watching YouTube videos and playing pop songs with my dad’s synthesizers. I soon fell in love with the instrument.
Back in France, I studied jazz and pop with a private instructor for a few years. I was very dedicated to become a great jazz pianist. I was fascinated by Tigran Hamasyan, Brad Meldhau, Michel Petrucciani, to name a few. I studied a year of political science in France before I decided to drop it and move to London to study music full time.
After a year in London, I applied at Berklee College Of Music for its reputation and prestige. I started an undergraduate program in 2015. At Berklee, I had the chance to meet so many great people and musicians from all over the world and started playing with some of my favorite musicians nowadays. I still perform with a lot of them.
After graduating in 2018, I moved to New York City to, originally, play jazz and mostly my own compositions with my band Triple Tea with whom I’ve released an Album in October 2018 called ‘The Tunnel’.
I then got called on a tour with The Lemon Twigs (an indie-rock band from Long Island). I toured with them for a year and a half, playing major venues all over the world and opening for the Arctic Monkeys on their ‘Tranquility Base, Hotel and Casino’ tour in 2018. I fell in love with the touring life and want to keep doing it for a while.
I recently moved to Los Angeles and started a new project called Carbeau (myself as a producer). Very different from my previous project as it is more electronic music. I will be releasing some new songs very soon on Spotify and all other platforms.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not a smooth road. My biggest challenge has always been surpassing my fears and doubts. There have been many times at Berklee and after that, I’ve wanted to drop everything in music and start all over somewhere else. It can be a really frustrating job, but the bright side is just too good to give up.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Carbeau – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I have played with many artist over the years and I that one of things I love the most about my job. I love experiencing new music, meeting new people and try to understand their perspective of music and incorporate it in my playing to fit the artist in question. I guess I specialize in that. I try to be as versatile as possible in my playing.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I wish to keep touring with different bands all over the world and keep making my own music, eventually start producing other artists and maybe scoring films? And most of all, keep meeting new and amazing people.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itscarbeau/?hl=fr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tommaso-Taddonio
Image Credit:
Monika Cefis
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