Thomas Washatka received his Bachelors Degree in Music from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh studying saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He also studied saxophone with Berkely Fudge at the Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee and Joe Daly at the University of Chicago, and improvisation with composer/pianist John Harmon.
With recordings dating back as early as 1979 Tom has been featured as writer/arranger and performer. In 1985, he was featured on "Sweet Thunder" with Grammy nominee Chris Swansen (Sea Breeze label) and in 1995 co-founded Stellar Records, a recording label that has consistently earned praise from reviewers for both exceptional artistic content and high production values. He owns and operates his own recording studio and continues to produce artists for Stellar Records. In 2004 he was nominated for the WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award) for producer of the year.
In addition to albums and CDs, Tom has written commercial music that has been featured in PBS documentaries and motions pictures abroad.
He has made appearances with George Benson, Weather Report, Spyro Gyra, Count Basie, Chuck Mangione, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clark, Yellow Jackets, Super Sax and Tito Puente. His performing experience includes Bobby Shew, Brian Setzer Big Band, the Shirelles, Jimmy Dorsey, Jack Jones, and the Temptations.
Tom gives clinics and workshops sharing his knowledge of saxophone, recording technology, performance careers and the music business in general bringing his entrepreneurial perspectives to his teaching.