Tom Keith

Be open to things. Be open to new ideas as they come along. Be open to hard work. Be open to know the future is uncertain. Be open. There are many possibilities in life, and the possibilities will be there for you to take.

Tom Keith

My name is Tom Keith. I was born on August 5, 1947. I was born in a suburb called Cudahy, Wisconsin. My family moved to Bloomington, Minnesota when I was only one. I had two sisters and a brother.

I started playing the trombone as a child. My father played trombone, and his father played trombone, too. Grandpa Keith even had a band named “Farmer Keith and His Musical Kiddies.”

My friends and I formed a jazz band in high school. We played big band jazz, and we played well with each other. Just after we graduated from high school, we had the chance to play on Johnny Carson with Doc Severinsen. That was amazing!

After high school, I joined the Air Force Band. I played all over the world: the Philippines, South Vietnam, and Thailand. I learned a lot.

When I came home, I attended the University of Minnesota to study music education. They didn’t have a jazz band, so I started one and we competed in different festivals. I got better and better because I worked so hard to improve.

I met my wife, Kathy, at the University of Minnesota. We have been married for 40 years, and we have a son who is a firefighter.

I earned money by playing in backup bands for some big celebrities: Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis Junior, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Bob Hope.

Eventually I started to become more of a teacher and less of a performer. I worked in different schools as a band director and an assistant principal. Then I became the principal of St. Anthony High School. I will retire this year. I am looking forward to trying new things and having amazing opportunities.