Thomas E. Reynolds

Tom Reynolds is a pianist and composer in Toronto who also teaches theology at Emmanuel College in the University of Toronto.  He grew up in Chicago and spent formative years in Nashville TN, where he performed as music director with artists like Grammy-winning jazz vocal group, “Take Six,” and Engelbert Humperdinck, and also toured with Chrystal Gayle.  Additionally, he performed with country artist Shania Twain and pop artists Max Carl (from “38 Special”) and Glen Frey (from the “Eagles”).  Tom was also active on the jazz front while in Nashville, playing with artists like Jeff Coffin (sax from Dave Matthews Band), Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Kirk Whalum, Chester Thompson (drummer from “Genesis”), Denny Jiosa, and Boots Randolph, among others.  Since moving to Toronto in 2007, he has recorded and performed with artists like Jim McCarty (drummer for “Yardbirds”), vocalist Jackie Richardson, and is a member of the band, “In Orbit,” which features Jeff Coffin, Felix Pastorius (bass, son of Jaco Pastorius) and Toronto-based musicians Michael Occhipinti (guitar) and Davide Direnzo (drums).  In 2021 he released a CD with the Tom Reynolds Trio, “Open Skies”, featuring Lorne Nehring (drums) and George Koller (bass): https://tomreynoldstrio.com/

The following bios are of the musicians who will be performing alongside Thomas E. Reynolds at the Resoannce2025 conference.

Chris Pond is a bassist, songwriter and producer originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Chris graduated from St. FX University in 2016 with a BMUS in Jazz Performance and received a Dean's List Scholarship. He is the recipient of awards such as the Stingray Rising Stars Award at the TD Jazz Youth Summit, MusiCounts Scholarship Program Honours, and a 2017 NL Arts and Letters Award. Chris now lives in Ottawa where he is heavily involved in the local jazz scene. Some of his current projects include Primary Colours, Internet Celebrities, Crop Circle Catalysts, Side-eye & Grace, Amateur Painter and NitroTurtle.

Lorne Matthew Nehring is a Juno Award and Jazz Report winning drummer.  Originally from Montreal, Lorne studied percussion at McGill University before moving to Toronto, where he has had a distinguished career playing with some of the finest musicians on the jazz scene – such as John MacLeod, Bob DeAngelis, George Koller, David Braid, Aaron Davis, Neal Swainson, Richard Underhill, Nancy Walker, Rob McConnell, Bernie Senensky, Dave Young, Manteca, Alex Dean, Guido Basso, Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, and many others. 

Peter Woods thrives at the crossroads of spiritual and artistic engagements. As the Minister of MacKay Church, Peter brings a lifetime of theological reflection rooted in liberation movements and contemporary academic thought. His unique sax/jazz-based approach to his spiritual practices and contemplative work is one of his main gifts as he engages with the broader community.

• Bio courtesy of McKay United Church: https://www.mckayunitedchurch.ca/