Tomáš Kačo

Tomáš Kačo

Tomáš Kačo is 30 years old Romani pianist, music arranger, composer and vocalist from a small city Nový Jičín, Czech Republic. Tomáš comes from a big, traditional Roma family where almost all of his siblings – 12 of them, can sing or play some music instruments.

Today Tomáš lives in Boston, USA where he graduated from the famous Berklee College of  Music.

Tomáš was first exposed to music at the age of five by his father who had hopes of his son one day becoming a musician.  Tomáš grew up influenced by Gypsy music, as this is part of his roots and culture. He was self- taught by mimicking complex melodies and quickly developed the skills to hear harmonic progressions from a young age. He then started to perform for school concerts and competitions. As he progressively started to perform and play on a serious level, he gained passion in Classical music and felt inspired and motivated to properly learn the techniques. Tomáš attended the Janacek Conservatory in Ostrava. There, he began to study with renowned professor, Pavel Motloch, who remains a significant mentor and a great influence in his life. In his fourth year he successfully transferred to continue Classical studies at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague studying primarily with professor Ivo Kahánek. Tomáš graduated with a Masters degree. Tomáš has traveled worldwide performing at places such as New York City, Washington D.C, Belgium, Hungary, Isreal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia etc. He has arranged and recorded Gypsy songs for the Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra in Pardubice also an entire program for the Philharmonic Orchestra in Hradec Kralove. Tomáš performed in the distinguished Wieneseball, and composed songs for a theater as well. Together with Ida Kelarová and the Škampa Quartet, he recorded an album of Roma ballads, for which he arranged string quartet parts, piano playing, and vocals. Tomáš was teaching at International Conservatory in Prague, for three years, while he was finishing his masters degree. His approach of teaching was always different. He always tried to combine improvisation with classical music. For his students who played only classical music, he introduced them to freedom of improvisation. Tomáš is known for his brilliant piano improvisations but he also distinguishes himself as a Gypsy and Jazz musician. Tomáš graduated Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he is majoring Contemporary Writing and Production this year. At Berklee, Tomáš was selected one of seven best pianists through the whole piano department to perform a solo showcase. As an arranger his composition was also selected and performed at Berklee Performance Center (BPC), the biggest hall at Berklee. He was also selected to be Musical Director for a concert in the BPC for “International Roma Day” performing along side with well-known musician Damian Draghici.