Mike Tomaro

About Me

Mike Tomaro is an internationally-known saxophonist, composer, arranger and jazz educator. He is currently the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.  Prior to this, he was a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble where he served as its Enlisted Musical Director and performed for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton as well as heads of state from around the world, composed and/or arranged much of the Army Blues repertoire and was featured on several of the group’s albums and CDs.  Mike is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Diamond Artist. 

Mike has five nationally released recordings under his own name that showcase his talents as both performer and composer/arranger, the latest being “4 Seasons” on the MCG Jazz label.  Additionally, he has been featured on many other CDs as performer and/or arranger, most notably on releases by Nancy Wilson (two Grammy Award winners), the Bob Mintzer Big Band (Grammy nominated), the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra’s holiday release, “Joyful Jazz,” as well as several others, also on the MCG Jazz label.

Mike’s music has been performed by jazz greats to include David Liebman, Wayne Bergeron, Mike Stern, Ernie Watts, Randy Brecker, New York Voices, Al Vizzutti and many more, as well as high schools, colleges and universities around the world.  Over 200 of his compositions and arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard Publications and Doug Beach Music.  Mike is co-author of the textbook “Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide.” 

Mike is affiliated with the Jazz Education Network, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and the National Association for Music Education.  He is in great demand both nationally and internationally as a guest soloist, adjudica­tor, and clinician.