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Arts & Entertainment

RVC's Tom Circosta: 'Grateful' To Carry The Torch

Local jam band veteran on a 'never-ending' musical journey.

As a musician firmly rooted in the country's ever expanding "Grateful Dead Family Tree," guitarist/singer Tom Circosta of Rockville Centre has found himself – for life. For more than two decades, Circosta has been front and center for the Zen Tricksters, one of the country's premier "Dead-centric" jam bands.

The Zen Tricksters grew out of the Volunteers, who were Long Island's best Grateful Dead Tribute band throughout the '90s. Circosta's slashing, uniquely modal style has afforded him the chance to share the stage with jam rock royalty such as Bob Weir, Jeff Mattson (his partner in the Tricksters), Donna Jean Godchaux, Mickey Hart, David Nelson and countless others.

"I love Tommy," Mattson said. "We've been playing together for 100 years. We've got that intuitive, telepathic connection. If I go high, he goes low and vice versa. We do a nice job of staying out of each other's way!"

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For Circosta, twenty-plus years of playing and touring is only the beginning.

"My personal musical ride will never end," Circosta said. "Grateful Dead music has influenced me with more impact than most other bands/styles. I like to believe it's a never ending journey."

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Rockville Centre has been one of Circosta's biggest and most important stops on that travelling road. Circosta founded the Thomas Music Center, now known as Rockville Centre Music, in 1993. He also currently calls Rockville Centre home.

"By the time I turned over the business in 2000, we had developed a high class music school, employing 14 great music teachers and seeing hundreds of amazing students per week," said Circosta. "There's so much musical talent in RVC and neighboring towns."

With the Zen Tricksters on hiatus, Circosta is performing some dates with Mattson as well as playing with The Jam Stampede, an all-star collection of Tricksters veterans including bassist/singer Klyph Black and drummer Dave Diamond.

"We're not just playing the notes," said Mattson. "It's more about the connection that you can enjoy with like minded people that are open to it. That's what Tom and I share."

That "group mind" is the essence of jam-oriented music and Circosta is confident that he and his colleagues are doing their part to preserve that unique sound and culture. "As far as preservation, our newer generation of jammers will ensure the longevity of the scene as a whole," he said.

The music world – and the world at large – will be a better place for it.

To catch up with Tom Circosta and his various musical cohorts, check out www.thejamstampede.com.

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