Episode 24 TOM POLITZER - Lead Tenor Saxophonist for TOWER OF POWER

THE MUSIC LOUNGE PODCAST

This week is the Season 1 finale. My guest is Tom Politzer. Tom is the lead tenor saxophone player for the funkiest band around TOWER OF POWER. Their website is https://towerofpower.com/

Tower just celebrated 50 years as a band and just released an incredible live album 50 Years of Funk & Soul: Live at the Fox Theater

This album captures Tower of Power’s storied career with two no-holds-barred victory lap concerts in Oakland, CA on June 1 & 2, 2018, performing their full spectrum of life-affirming funk and soul hits.

This historic concert includes special guests Chester Thompson, Lenny Pickett, Francis ‘Rocco’ Prestia, Bruce Conte and Ray Greene.

Tom was born in Detroit, Michigan the home of Motown and was raise in Palo Alto, Calif.

His parents were opera lovers, so he grew up with a strong background in classical music.

He took up the clarinet when he was ten and became very proficient playing in the school bands and with local youth orchestras.

Half-way through his junior year in high school, the Jazz Band needed someone to fill the baritone sax chair. He was skeptical, but playing Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and especially “Squib Cakes” by Tower of Power convinced him. Had he not made the switch; he probably would have not become the professional musician he is today.

Tom has been a member to Tower of Power for 20 years now. He is part of a fraternity of amazing lead tenor players. Lenny Pickett, Marc Russo, Richard Elliot, Brandon Fields, and Davin Mann to name a few. The lead tenor chair in Tower is one of prestige and honor and Tom has filled that chair with his amazing sound and the hippest licks on every song.

The leader of Tower of Power Emilio Castillo, was instantly impressed with Tom and his professionalism and if you watch their shows, he glows with pride every time Tom plays a solo.

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