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Tom Borton

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Tom Borton
Birth nameThomas William Borton
BornJanuary 4, 1956
Norristown, Pennsylvania, US
DiedJuly 26, 2011 (age 55)
Los Angeles, California, US
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, composer
InstrumentSaxophone
Years active1981–2011

Thomas William Borton (January 4, 1956 – July 26, 2011) was an American jazz saxophonist, songwriter and composer, and was the founder and CEO of Los Angeles Post Music, Inc.[1]

Biography

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Early life

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Borton was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania to Robert G. and Phyllis M. (Phelps) Borton, and later on moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up and began playing saxophone at age 7.[2][3] Borton attended Eastwood Junior High School, where he was a member of the school band; he won a talent show at a summer music camp held by Purdue University when he was in 8th grade.

While in high school, he played with Tarnished Silver, a band which featured R&B singer and songwriter Kenneth Edmonds, best known as Babyface, record producer Daryl Simmons, and drummer Rayford Griffin.[4][3][5][6] Borton graduated from North Central High School in Indianapolis in 1974, and attended Indiana University Bloomington, where he joined a band called Streamwinner, which featured guitarist David Grissom, and drummer Kenny Aronoff.[4][2][5][7]

Music career

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In 1981, Borton moved to Los Angeles, California, where he started writing for television and film music.[4] In the summer of 1987, he joined The Big Picture band as a composer and played alto saxophone; the band also featured singer and songwriter Joanna St. Claire.[3][5][7]

In 1990, Borton signed with the Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings label, and released his debut album Dancing With Tigers, which was co-produced with jazz musician Vel Lewis.[4][8] Two of the songs from the album, "Wherever You Are" and "Looking for a Way", were both featured in the "Local Forecast" segments on The Weather Channel;[9][10] another song from the album titled "Photoland", was featured on the jazz compilation album Best of Mesa Records & Bluemoon Recordings, which was also released in 1990.[11]

In 1992, Borton released his second album The Lost World, which also featured Lewis;[12] the second track from the album titled "Swingopolis", was also featured on the jazz compilation album The Best New Jazz in America: Volume 3, which was also released in 1992, under the Catalyst Communications label.[13][14]

Borton also co-produced two of Steve Allee's albums, The Magic Hour (1995), and Mirage (2003). He was also the founder and CEO of Los Angeles Post Music, Inc, a production music library,[2][5][6] where he composed music for the 1998 TV documentary Titanic: Secrets Revealed,[15] and movies such as The Jitters (1989), and Amy's Orgasm (2001).

Death

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Borton died unexpectedly at his home in Los Angeles on July 26, 2011, at the age of 55.[2][3][7][16] His third and final album Simply One, was released posthumously in 2012.[17] Borton was survived by his parents, his sisters, Rebecca Ann (William) Erdel, and Janis Elaine Borton, and his two nephews and great nieces.[2][7][16]

Discography

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  • 1990: Dancing With Tigers (Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings)
  • 1992: The Lost World (Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings)
  • 2012: Simply One

References

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  1. ^ "Los Angeles Post Music". Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Thomas William Borton". Legacy.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "A-Train Mourns the Passing of Tom Borton, Friend and Client and Some Extra Text". A-Train Entertainment. August 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Indianapolis Star - 15 Aug 1991, Thu - Page 26 - (Indianapolis, Indiana)". Newspapers.com. 15 August 1991. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Tom Borton". Inside Jazz. January 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Tom Borton". Discogs. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d "Thomas Borton". Funeral Innovations. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Tom Borton - Dancing With Tigers". Discogs. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  9. ^ ""Wherever You Are" by Tom Borton". TWC Classics. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  10. ^ ""Looking for a Way" by Tom Borton". TWC Classics. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Various - Best of Mesa Records & Bluemoon Recordings". Discogs. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Tom Borton - The Lost World". Discogs. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Various - The Best New Jazz in America Vol. 3". Discogs. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  14. ^ "The Best New Jazz in America". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Titanic: Secrets Revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Obituary for Thomas William Borton, 1956-2011 (Aged 55) - Los Angeles Times Archive". Newspapers.com. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Tom Borton - Simply One". Discogs. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
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