As part of his regular concerts and for special workshops and events, Tom also performs a vast array of traditional maritime music gathered together from archival research, books, recordings, and the repertoire of friends, who are themselves some of the finest maritime singers in the world. The songs include shanties and ballads from the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, and Great Lakes, where Tom has been a professional sailor for over two decades.
Based on Tom's background in traditional music and traditional sailing, folklorist and veteran bluesman, Andy Cohen invited Tom to become part of "Folk University" and "Tradstock" at the 2009 International Folk Alliance Conference. They were joined, in Memphis, by tradition bearers such as Tracy Schwartz & Ginny Hawker and Enoch Kent.
Tom has been published on the topic of maritime music, most recently with Chris Kastle in "From Lumber Hookers to the Hooligan Fleet: A Treasury of Chicago Maritime History" published by Lake Claremont Press. He and Chris continue to perform occasionally together and are the co-directors of the Chicago Maritime Festival.
Maritime Songs