Tommy Sklut likes to joke that he was ruined at birth, no chance to be anything else than a musicians, an educator. Growing up in a musical family, Tommy started Suzuki piano at 3 years old. His mom and dad encouraged and exposed him to classical, jazz and musical theater. By the time he was 13 the Beatles, popular music and chord progressions were in the forefront of his musical vocabulary. By 16 he was teaching piano and guitar to neighborhood children.
Tommy has a repertoire of over 1,200 cover songs in every genre and an ever-growing collection of original tunes that are influenced by artists like Billy Joel, Elton John, Ben Folds, Dr. John, Paul Simon and Martin Sexton. His collaboration “The Right Thing” with singer-songwriter Ashton Moore won Michigan State University’s Award for Excellence in Diversity in 2008.
In 2005, while studying music at Michigan State University, Tommy started appearing regularly at Rum Runners dueling piano bar in Lansing, Michigan. He quickly began to sub in at clubs all over Michigan and the Midwest. After graduating with a bachelor’s of arts in music and classical voice (2008) he was one of 5 select players from around the United States to help open up Crazy Pianos in Miami, Florida in 2009.
In 2011, while living in Chicago, Tommy met guitarist and singer-songwriter, John Weston. Together the two formed a duo/band (Sklut & Weston) and started a private music instruction company (Sklut & Weston School of Music) that bloomed over the next few years. While life and business were good in Chicago, in 2015 Tommy and his wife decided to move the family (now with 2 beautiful daughters) back home to Metro Detroit, Michigan and be closer to family and their roots.
Currently, Tommy is performing as a freelance musician/dueling pianos player and growing his own music education company in Metro Detroit – Middle C, LLC – Making music, together, for everyone.
Music Educator Bio (LINK)
Curriculum Vitae (LINK)