Genre-shattering and boundary-breaking artist Crazy Tomes has revolutionized the rock and blues scene in a very unexpected way since his start in music. He is set to release his first album since 2015 on January 6, 2023. The project, titled Crazy on the Island, promises to blow audiences away as Tomes has been known to do since the beginning.
The album will include the track “King of Pot” featuring 1960’s music icons The Chambers Brothers and legendary soul singer Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams, who also co-produced the track. “King of Pot” also has some of the last recorded guitar work by blues legend and Jimi Hendrix’s mentor, the late Guitar Shorty.
This track has been a work in progress for Tomes for many years. He wrote it about a friend who is a Vietnam veteran who was discharged for smoking pot. It speaks to the world’s need to focus on enjoying life rather than arresting people for victimless crimes. Both “King of Pot” and the upcoming album Crazy on the Island have musical contributions from Remi Kabaka (Rolling Stones, Paul Simon). As well as features from the members of Ambrosia, Three Dog Night and Cameo.
Becoming Crazy Tomes
Growing up in Israel, Tomes began his musical journey in classical piano. Later, becoming inspired by American rock ‘n’ roll legends like Elvis Presley, David Bowie and The Beatles. From there, he decided to switch his focus to the guitar. Soon, he picked up jazz after he moved to Virginia in 1998. His unexpected journey continued when legendary American musician, and Tomes’ idol, Little Richard invited Tomes on stage to perform a song with him. This is where he was given his iconic name.
This event validated Tomes’s path in jazz guitar. Thus, he went on to study it at The College of William and Mary. Tomes’ career exploded from there; headlining the “Kenya Feel the Rock” festival with blues-rock band Burning Wagon. As well, he performed at the Bruce Hornsby festival before moving to Los Angeles. There, he joined the pop-rock band Arrest My Sister and performed at Carnegie Hall, and shortly after joined the band Gundriver. Soon after that, he was hired as a bass player (and later guitarist) for another blues icon, Guitar Shorty.
His story doesn’t stop there – Tomes soon began playing guitar for Willie Chambers, and eventually for The Chambers Brothers. As of today, he is the lead guitarist for R&B and soul artist Swamp Dogg. He’s been performing with him every New Year’s Eve at the Roxy Theater since 2017. As well as performing at the Ryman Auditorium with Bon Iver.
His Style and Inspirations
According to Tomes, his style is best described as a unique combination of “blues, funk, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, reggae and country.” To some, it is described as “bluesy rock ’n’ roll with a touch of insanity.” Fans praise him for his “energetic live shows, virtuoso guitar playing, distinctive soulful vocals, and musical versatility.”
A sound that truly cannot be placed into one genre, Tomes’s discography explores nearly every musical style known to man, without exaggeration. He draws inspiration from a large list of names such as Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Eric Clapton, The Doors, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, The Animals, Rod Stewart, P-Funk, The Who, Bob Marley, Sublime, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Lou Reed, Nirvana, The Zombies, and Louis Armstrong, just to name a few. With the variety of sounds influencing him, it only makes sense that Tomes’s music is a thing entirely his own.
Upcoming Shows
Crazy Tomes will be headlining at the Maui Sugarmill on Monday, December 26, 2022, for Cadillac Zack‘s blues show honoring Malcolm Lukens, with Michael B. Holden on bass, Jon McCracken on drums, and of course Malcolm on keyboards!
This New Year’s Eve, Tomes will be performing at the Roxy Theater with the legendary Jerry “Swampdogg” Williams. James Inteveld will open the show, and all proceeds will be going towards finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
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