Tommy Kessler

Tommy Kessler is an American guitarist from Springboro, Ohio, currently in the new wave band Blondie.[1]

Tommy Kessler
Kessler performing with Blondie during their 2010 Endangered Species World Tour
Background information
GenresNew wave, rock, pop, flamenco, classical
Occupation(s)Musician, producer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar
mandolin
Pedal steel guitar
Lap steel guitar
Years active2003–present
Associated actsBlondie, Blue Man Group, Telling on Trixie, The Capital Mall
Websitetommykessler.com

Biography

Kessler joined Blondie in April 2010, replacing guitarist Paul Carbonara who had left Blondie during the sessions for their ninth studio album, Panic of Girls, to pursue other projects. Despite playing only on two songs Kessler was credited as a full time member in the liner notes.

He was trained in classical and Latin guitar. These styles provided a great understanding of music theory and also taught him to read standard notation. Later, Tommy drifted into the direction of the hard rock masters such as Randy Rhoads, Slash, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Dimebag Darrell. His natural talent of learning pieces very quickly by sight reading or memorizing by ear helped him quickly excel in that scene. Kessler's first steady gig in NYC was playing in the word-renowned Blue Man Group where he played Zither, Guitar, bass and The Stick. He has also been part of the band in the New York City of Blue Man Group since 2006.[2][3]

Kessler also performs as a guitarist in the fictional 1980s rock band Arsenal in the Broadway musical, Rock of Ages,[1] a member since it opened off Broadway in 2008. His abilities have resulted in a reputation for excellence that has led to him becoming a highly sought after session guitarist in NYC since moving there in 2005.[4]

Being in Rock of Ages led to him meeting Blondie. He was recommended by the band's keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen.

In 2015, Kessler was asked to be a part of the “Fresh Kids of Bel-Air”. He performs regularly at (Le) Poisson Rouge.[5]

Kessler served as musical director for the 2011 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. He has written and produced music for The Nickelodeon Network (iCarly and Victorious).

Kessler mixed Joel Hoekstra's Joel Hoekstra's 13: Dying to Live.[6]

Since 2013 he has often worn on stage for Blondie a denim jacket made for him by British artist Ian Berry who is known for his art in denim.[7]

gollark: You can say "this policy will be good due to saving some amount of lives through X" instead of "this policy is amazing and wonderful because we will move toward good things and away from bad things and think of the children all who disagree support terrorism".
gollark: Yes, make them flat and unconvincing, stop politicians trying to get emotional points through.
gollark: What?
gollark: Exactly, ban those.
gollark: I don't know how you would actually enforce any of this, but it might help.

References
  1. http://pittsburghmusicmagazine.com/2012/10/07/blondies-tommy-kessler-is-in-it-for-the-long-haul/
  2. http://www.gigslutz.co.uk/interview-tommy-kessler-blondie/
  3. "Blondie". www.blondie.net. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  4. "Tommy Kessler". en-gb.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  5. "INTERVIEW: Tommy Kessler (Blondie) - Gigslutz". Gigslutz. 2015-12-17. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  6. B, Kathy. "INTERVIEW: Tommy Kessler (Blondie)". Gigslutz.
  7. Atkinson, Neil (2014-05-28). "Huddersfield artist Ian Berry provides denim tribute to 70s star Debbie Harry". huddersfieldexaminer. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
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