About
Tom Halpenny is a guitarist and educator from London whose work bridges performance, education, and community engagement. Influenced early on by the city’s acid jazz movement, Tom developed a style that blends groove, improvisation, and a strong melodic sense.
In the 1990s, he moved to New York City to immerse himself in its vibrant jazz scene. While studying at City College of New York in Harlem, he trained under legendary bassist Ron Carter and became part of the local performance circuit, playing at venues such as Shrine and Showmans on 125th Street, collaborating with a diverse range of musicians.
After returning to London, Tom founded Musicus, an innovative program offering group guitar tuition across schools, community centres, and care settings. Musicus reached over 400 participants—including school-aged children, people experiencing homelessness, and individuals living with dementia—using music as a tool for connection, confidence, and creativity.
