Episode 010 - The Song That Saved a Stranger's Life - Tom Schuman
FRIENDS AND LEGENDS WITH SKIP MARTINShow Notes
A conversation with Tom Schuman — Grammy-nominated keyboardist for Spyro Gyra for 49 years, now living in Barcelona — on the music that saved a stranger's life, what it means to let the God force flow through you, and why less became his closest friend.
Host: Skip Martin
Summary: Tom Schuman grew up in Buffalo — son of a jazz bassist, raised on Oscar Peterson and Sarah Vaughan — and spent 49 years as keyboardist for Spyro Gyra before leaving in February 2023 and moving to Barcelona with his wife. In this conversation with longtime collaborator Skip Martin, Tom talks about the moment he knew music was his purpose, the fan message that made everything worth it, being called a myth by a man in Algiers who thought Kool and the Gang might not really exist, and why collaboration with someone whose gifts complement your own is the only place real magic happens.
Main Topics:
Growing up in a jazz household in Buffalo — a bassist father, a singer mother, music by osmosis 49 years with Spyro Gyra — and the decision to leave and move to Barcelona The God force — the creative philosophy Tom and Skip built their partnership around Less is more — what Tom taught Skip, and what Skip gave back The People Get Ready project and why it still matters The song Innocent Soul and the stranger who decided not to end his life A fan in Algiers who thought Kool and the Gang were a myth When — the song Skip and Tom wrote in 10 minutes during COVID Tom's new solo album I Am Human on Nama Music
Intriguing Quotes: "I prefer to think of it as the purest form of a universal language which can in great detail represent the heart, soul and intellect of a musician or composer." "Music is also a source of immortality. I feel like I'm going to be here a lot longer than my body because of this music." "He was crying because he thought you were a myth." — interpreter in Algiers "If I had done nothing else in my life, hearing about that made me feel like — okay, this is what I'm here to do." "We are all empowered when we collaborate with others that have gifts that you don't have." "My definition of music is the sound of a soul singing." — Skip Martin
Key Moments:
[05:30] Skip tells Tom that Tom taught him how to play less — and that less became his closest friend. Tom says Skip taught him his place. Two legends, humbled by each other. [12:00] Skip shares his definition of music — the sound of a soul singing. Tom has been trying to find his phone notes to read his own. When he finally does, he says it's pretty close. [21:45] Tom receives a message from a fan who says that Innocent Soul, a song Tom wrote for Spyro Gyra, stopped him from taking his own life. Tom says if he had done nothing else, that was enough. [23:00] Skip tells the Algiers story. A man on a runway who spoke no English, arms full of albums, crying. The interpreter asks why. He thought Kool and the Gang might not really exist. The music had reached him thousands of miles from where it was made. [19:20] Skip and Tom write the song When — lyrics, concept, everything — in 10 minutes over a phone call during COVID. That's what 49 years of combined instinct sounds like.
Notable Resources:
Tom Schuman new album: I Am Human — coming soon on Nama Music People Get Ready — search on YouTube and streaming platforms Let's Stay at Home — Skip Martin and Tom Schuman, available on streaming platforms
Connect with Tom Schuman:
Search Tom Schuman and Spyro Gyra on social platforms and streaming services
Connect with Skip Martin:
Website: https://www.skipmartinmusic.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skipmartinmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skipmartinmusic/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/skipmartinmusic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/skipmartinmusic Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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