Photo By: Hunter Canning

TOM CANNING - Keyboards
Born and raised in Rochester, New York, the light bulb went on for Tom Canning at the age of five, when he heard live recordings of African Pygmies drumming and chanting. Thus began a lifelong love and appreciation for the depth and mysterious power of the music of the Black culture. Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis were early roots-rock influences for Tom, as well as such legendary pianists as Erroll Garner, James Booker, and Oscar Peterson.

Tom moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970's, and worked on a wide variety of albums with such artists as T-Bone Burnett, Delbert McClinton, and the late Freddie King. He also began his highly productive relationship with Al Jarreau, co-writing and co-producing on Al's first seven albums, as well as receiving a Grammy nomination for his arranging skills.

Over the years, Tom has toured and recorded with such diverse artists as Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Robertson, Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh, Elvis Costello, Albert Lee, Juke Logan, Freddie King, and Johnny Shines, as well as legendary French singers Johnny Hallyday and Eddy Mitchell. He has also produced critically acclaimed albums for Stephen Bruton, Scott Cossu, and New Age artist Ray Lynch.

Tom was thrilled to have been called to play keyboards on John's Grammy-nominated Wake Up Call album. Since then, he has been invited to record a total of eight albums with JM and The Bluesbreakers, including Along For The Ride, Stories, No Days Off and The 70th Birthday Concert. An official member of The Bluesbreakers touring band from 2001 through 2003, Tom is delighted to be rejoining John and the current lineup for a new album and forthcoming shows.