Tommy Grasso
Singer / Songwriter / Multi-Instrumentalist / Engineer

www.tommygrasso.com

Since mid 2003, Tommy has been the utility man for Dave Meniketti’s solo band: “MENIKETTI”. Tommy is featured on both guitar and keys. Dave established this well followed band while on hiatus from the well known Y&T. Since 2003, “MENIKETTI” has stacked up numerous bay area and west coast shows, as well as the 2003 Japanese tour which produced the “MENIKETTI Live in Japan” record.

Between West Coast tours, Tommy fronts his own original New York City based band. High energy shows consisting of catchy rock ‘n’ roll tunes written about the every day. Critics describe Tommy Grasso as: "Train" meets “Lenny Kravitz”. “One thing’s for sure, this music is rockin' fun. It’s got something for everyone.” TG3, (Tommy's 2005 release) was produced by the bay area’s Myron Dove. Myron (formerly of SANTANA) assembled a musician power house for this record. The band’s line up included: the infamous mad skills of drummer Dennis Chambers, keyboardist extraordinaire Edward Roth, slide guitar wiz Tony Furtado, and Myron himself on bass.

While keeping in step as an artist/musician/performer, Tommy keeps his sound engineering chops up as well. He has managed to mix over a dozen Broadway shows, and national touring productions of Broadway shows in the past six years. Tommy frequently performs to packed area clubs while on the road, in order to promote his most recent album releases.

A Little Grasso History - Growing up, Tommy Grasso basically lived in his older brother Lenny’s recording studio. Observing and absorbing his surroundings, he developed skills as a multi-instrumentalist. Tommy has played a little of everything. Both in the studio and live, he has worked as a front vocalist, guitarist, bass player, drummer, and keyboardist. Check out the credits on his first three releases. Notice that on several cuts, he plays all the instruments.

Tommy’s first album credit came at the age of twelve when he appeared playing saxophone on a Christian music mail order record. He continues to be involved in several live and studio projects simultaneously, including The 70’s soul band “the STYLISTICS”.

Where it all began...
Tommy’s parents, Lenny Sr. and Margaret, met in 1953 singing opposite each other in a variety show. Somehow they knew then that if they decided to be lifetime partners, any offspring would have a high exposure to music and a high likely hood to pursue it. Five kids later, Tommy being the fifth, there were piano lessons, plays, recitals, band and orchestra concerts, marching band, voice lessons, and so on….all around! They all had the musical “bug”, especially the three boys: Lenny Jr., Ralph, and of course Tommy.

With help from Dad, Tommy and middle brother Ralph, the Grasso Family assisted oldest brother Lenny Jr. in building the first incarnation of Little Apple Recording when Tommy was just 14. It would turn out to be the foundation and confirmation that these three brothers from New Jersey would dedicate their lives to music. The recording format was an Ampex eight track on one inch tape, teamed up with a custom designed all tube recording console. Several years later, the Grasso brothers would learn that this “console” was one of three built, and that it was designed by the legendary Les Paul himself.

Over the years the studio has gone through many reincarnations. It now consists of both analog and digital twenty-four track recording formats and is still housed in the same family owned building that once was “GRASSO PASTA CO.” in Raritan, New Jersey. The Grasso Building also houses a second full service independent recording studio, and offers music instruction.