These are just a few of the superlatives tossed around when people talk about Tom Greisgraber's fantastic sound. And now, Yescapade is proud to present Tom Greisgraber on solo Chapman Stick as our musical entertainment for Yescapade - Return to Konocti. We've seen him as a solo artist and with his drummer (forming the band Agent 22) several times now, and we think that everyone at Yescapade will be astounded at what this man can do with one musical instrument. You can read our reviews over at the Progressive Edge site, or listen to some of their MP3s here at your leisure.

Agent 22 is truly one of the Southern California's great secret treasures. Currently formed as a duo combining Tom Greisgraber on Chapman Stick and Darren Debree on drums and percussion, Agent 22 produces a unique mix of jazz, progressive, and New Age music. This combination has been described as infectious, and it is true that once you hear them, you are hooked. Very pleasant, yet complex and emotional sounds invoking everything from a summer creek to King Crimson. Tom also plays alone on occasion, and while the setlist is somewhat different, his unique ability to play the Chapman Stick makes his solo show as enjoyable as an Agent 22 show.

When the band was developed a few years ago, Agent 22 consisted of three guys, Tom on stick, Jimmy Patton on dual guitars, and Ryan Moran on drums. Jimmy's unique style of playing two guitars at once lent a certain mystique to the band. The band's potential was rewarded with their win as "Best of the Year" at San Diego's Belly Up Tavern in 1999. Both the studio and live CDs that have been released were recorded by this trio. They were also voted "Best Alternative Group" in the San Diego Reader's Best of 2000 poll, and nominated for Best Jazz Album at the 2000 and 2001 San Diego Music Awards. In the last year or so, however, the lineup underwent significant change as Ryan went on a non-stop tour of the US with the B-Side Players (the band he was in prior to Agent 22) and Jimmy moved on to other projects. Tom was then left to his own devices.

Rather than calling it quits or finding another band, he simply took on the entire task of non-percussion music himself. The percussion parts he gave to a newly recruited drummer, Darren DeBree. Darren brings a wealth of expertise on precussion, having graduated from the Musicians' Institute (also known as Percussion Institute) in Hollywood, CA. He also has studied with Richard Wilson, who has been instrumental in the careers of drummers such as Terry Bozzio, Simon Philips and Vinnie Colaiuta, as well as many others. Darren brings additional elements to Agent 22 through his use of electronic drums. the use of a Handsonic drumpad, as well as the occasional use of an entire acoustic/electronic setup, has given Agent 22 new latitude in creating their unique sounds and arrangements. Darren has rapidly picked up where Ryan left off, and the band has really taken off.

Some would think that this would damage the music. In fact, with every show we've seen, the music is growing and expanding beyond what was originally recorded. Tom has a unique sense of how to handle the Stick and is comfortable with playing bass, rhythm, and lead simultaneously. Watching him play is as fascinating as listening to him, as he handles the lead and melody roles of even complex structures with appearent ease. Their popularity in the San Diego and Orange County areas has exploded.

In just the last few months, Agent 22 has opened for the California Guitar Trio, as well as the Tony Levin Band and Dixie Dregs at the famous Coach House club in San Juan Capistrano. Tom and Agent 22 have supported many other notable bands, including Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather, Al Dimeola, the Jazz Mandolin Project (featuring Jon Fishman of Phish), Planet X (a very progressive band with Tony McAlpine, Dave LaRue, Virgil Donati and Derek Sherinian formerly of Dream Theatre), and of course Stick pals Emmett Chapman, Greg Howard and Don Schiff.

Tom discovered music early in his life and spent his youth studying piano and violin, and soon grew to include classical guitar and music composition. Tom went on to studies at MiraCosta College, eventually tutoring and coordinating the school's guitar series. In 1993, he transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in 1995. He continued his study of jazz and rock guitar after moving back to his native San Diego at SDSU.

Tom’s interests were captured by the Chapman Stick in 1997. Officially developed by musician Emmett Chapman during the early 1970’s, the Stick is one of the few instruments native to the United States. The strings are tapped, instead of plucked or strummed, with both hands, allowing the performer to simultaneously play bass, melody, and chords. Tom’s solo Stick performances feature both his original music and well known popular songs, jazz standards, and classical works by other composers. His own compositions reflect his diverse background as they mix elements of pop, rock, jazz and funk using a variety of sounds and techniques that utilize the unique qualities of the Stick.

It was particularly interesting to see the differences in style between Tom and Tony Levin, another famous Chapman Stick player. Many of the Chapman Stick players, including Tony Levin, migrated to the Stick from playing bass, using the Stick to complement the rhythm section and to give more range for the bassist to play lead/melody roles. Tom, however, comes from the guitar side of the world, and his selections of chords and melodies reflect that. The Stick is shown to be brighter and even more versatile than was believed possible.

As a soloist and with Agent 22, Tom has performed throughout southern California in venues ranging from coffeehouses to the Coach House and other local clubs. He is also a regular guest performer with the Peter Pupping Quartet and the Spotted Peccaries and he has performed at several “Stick Night” events in Los Angeles and San Diego with such Stick notables as Emmett Chapman and Greg Howard (one of the world’s most active Chapman Stick players and a regular guest performer with the Dave Mathews Band). In fact, Tom is hosting a Stick Night with training seminar, scheduled for May 24 and 25 for MiraCosta College.

In 1999, Tom founded ThosSounds, an independent record label designed to promote his work. Agent 22, the label’s premier release, features Tom’s Stick playing with dual guitarist Jimmy Patton, and drummer/percussionist Ryan Moran of the B-Side Players. The album is a compilation of eleven original tracks on which Tom worked as the primary writer and arranger. The second CD, Agent 22 First Witness is a recording of the performance that won the "Best of the Year" compeitition spnsored by Belly Up tavern. Both are very nice and come highly recommended. We think that you will find these in your regular CD rotation just as we have.

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CDs and Downloads/MP3s

Agent 22

Agent 22 (Thos, Jimbo) 3:45
3:32 (Thos) 5:32
Dreamwalk (Jimbo) 2:35
90 Days (Thos) 3:44
It's Time (Thos) 5:26
Song For Eriela (Jimbo) 4:00
Speak Softly (Thos) 4:16
Brother Wind Shear (Thos) 4:37
If's Prelude (Thos) 1:14
If's Jam (Thos) 3:37
Another Road (Thos) 4:27

Agent 22 - First Witness

The Prize-Winning Performance
Recorded live at the Belly Up Tavern in San Diego, CA

Agent 22
Dreamwalk
77 Times
Brother Wind Shear
It's Time
90 Days
If's Jam
Dialogue/band intros
The Bear's Cabin

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