About Tom Keenlyside
Born 1950. Tom Keenlyside is a Canadian jazz musician, saxophonist and composer.
Thomas William Keenlyside (born 1950) is a Canadian saxophonist and flautist from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Biography Born and raised in Vancouver, Keenlyside grew up hearing many genres of music on the radio that his parents left turned on much of the time. When he was twelve years old, he started playing trumpet. A year later while he was walking to school, he stopped by a friend's house and heard "Strange Meadowlark" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet coming from the house. He was overwhelmed when he heard Paul Desmond's solo, and he resolved to pursue a career in music. A couple years later he became interested in the flute and took lessons.
Keenlyside began playing professionally at bars and clubs. He continued this work while attending the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. For six years he was a member of Sunshyne, a progressive rock band, and played in R&B bands. He heard jazz musicians when the performed at clubs in Vancouver. In the 1970s as a freelance musician he worked with Natalie Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, and Mel Torme. He played for conductor Don Costa and in the house band for a Tom Jones television series. He was also played table tennis often with his friends. When jazz trumpeter Chet Baker was in town, they played a doubles match with Baker. He arranged tracks, collaborated, and recorded with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, INXS, David Lee Roth, and Van Halen.
He has worked in the band Altered Laws with Miles Black, Miles Foxx Hill, and Bernie Arai.
The Marguerita Horns When working on the Aerosmith albums, Permanent Vacation, Pump, and Get a Grip; Keenyside was a part of The Marguerita Horns' who were: Tom Keenlyside - tenor saxophone and clarinet Ian Putz - baritone saxophone Bob Rogers - trombone Henry Christian - trumpet Bruce Fairbairn - trumpet
Discography As leader 2022 A Night at the Espresso
As co-leader With Skywalk 1979 Paradiso 1984 Silent Witness 1986 The Bohemians 1992 Larger Than Life
With Altered Laws 2007 Metaphora featuring The Babayaga String Quartet and Melody Diachun 2007 Outsiders
As sideman 1977 Prism, Prism 1984 Look in Look Out, Chilliwack 1986 Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi 1987 Permanent Vacation, Aerosmith 1989 Dr. Feelgood, Mötley Crüe 1991 A Little Ain't Enough, David Lee Roth 1993 Get a Grip, Aerosmith 1992 If the Shoe Fits..., Norman Foote 1995 Shake a Leg, Norman Foote 1999 The Ladder, Yes 2002 Eternity, Mythos 2005 Domestic Rendez-vous, Norman Foote 2006 Synergy, Miles Black 2007 Downtown East Side Picnic, Bob Murphy
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Tom Keenlyside's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Tom Keenlyside's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Tom Keenlyside?
Canadian musician
When was Tom Keenlyside born?
Tom Keenlyside was born in 1950.
What is Tom Keenlyside's occupation?
Tom Keenlyside is a jazz musician, saxophonist and composer.
What nationality is Tom Keenlyside?
Tom Keenlyside is Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tom Keenlyside. https://biography.guide/tom-keenlyside/
MLA: "Tom Keenlyside." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tom-keenlyside/.
Chicago: "Tom Keenlyside." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tom-keenlyside/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:16 UTC