TOM COX — He plays great bone, but he is also responsible for the snaking cords and the distinctive band fronts being in place. He is Tom Cox, long-time band member and indispensable to the group.

Tom began playing trombone in 9th grade after playing trumpet for 5 years. He went on to study performance, theory and composition at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Tom is a Missouri native. He graduated from Fort Osage High School in 1976. In 1993, he decided he wanted to be in a people profession, and graduated from Meramec College and became a Physical Therapist. He is currently a Rehabilitation Program Manager at Jonesburg Nursing and Rehab Center.

Tom came to St. Louis and played in the Meramec kicks band. One of the members invited him to come sit in a Gateway City Big Band rehearsal. That was October, 1982, and he has been with the band since.

Tom's official title is "Equipment Manager" although he does much more than just set up and take down the band. Tom oversees equipment like the sound system, and can occasionally be seen dashing from playing his horn to the amplifier to adjust microphones. His energy seems limitless.

Tom says the Big Band is like family, although often you can spot his wife Bonnie or other members of his family in the crowd. At 45, Tom is happy being with the Big Band.

"Bob (Waggoner, former band leader) is putting us in touch with our "inner musician". The band under Bob's direction has allowed me to grow musically, so I can say with certainty that I am a much better player now than I was a year or two ago," Tom says. "I have confidence in the continued growth of the organization."

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