Taking a Few Tips

ELMENDORF AFB, Alaska -- MSgt Ron Larson, keyboardist with the Greatlanders jazz band, gets a few pointers from fusion keyboardist Tom Coster. Mr Coster was a guest of the USAF band of the Pacific Alaska recently, giving the band a week-long master class and also performing a concert with them in Anchorage. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Leo Smith)

"Take it from the top..."

ELMENDORF AFB, Alaska -- During a recent visit to the USAF Band of the Pacific Alaska, jazz fusion keyboardist Tom Coster took time to visit the music students at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he presented two master classes for them. Mr Coster also worked with the Greatlanders jazz band of the Band of the Pacific, and presented a concert with them at UAA. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Leo Smith)

From the archive -- Sgt Tom Coster

ELMENDORF AFB, Alaska -- Jazz fusion keyboardist Tom Coster was once a member of the USAF Band of the Pacific in the mid 1960's, when the band was known as the 752nd Alaskan Air Command Band. Then-Sgt Coster is seen at center with the bell lyre in a photo dated October 1965. After his time in the Air Force, Mr Coster went on to play with such noteable musicians as Carlos Santana, Steve Smith, Michael Brecker and host of others. To this day he continues an active touring and recording schedule. (Band of the Pacific archive photo)

Tom Coster with the Greatlanders

ELMENDORF AFB, Alaska -- The Greatlanders jazz band in rehearsal with fusion keyboardist Tom Coster. Mr Coster was a guest of the USAF band of the Pacific Alaska recently, giving the band a week-long master class and also performing a concert with them in Anchorage. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Troy Griffin)

The Greatlanders with special guest Tom Coster

Published March 10, 2010
By MSgt George Pierce
USAF Band of the Pacific

Elmendorf AFB -- The USAF Band of‭ ‬the Pacific Greatlanders recently had the honor of sharing the stage with world-renowned keyboardist Tom Coster in a concert at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Mr Coster's name may not be a household name, but his status in the musical pantheon can not be denied. His name must be considered among such organ and synthesizer pioneers as Jan Hammer, Herbie Hancock, Booker T Jones, and Wendy Carlos. Mr Coster has been an in-demand sideman, playing with Carlos Santana, Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Joe Satriani, Scott Henderson, Dennis Chambers, and a host of others, but is also a leader in his own right, having produced at least seven albums for the Fantasy and JVC record labels. In recent years, most of his recording and performing has been with the jazz-fusion group Vital Information, with collaborators Steve Smith on drums and Frank Gambale on guitar.

Interestingly, Mr Coster was once a member of the Air Force band program, and was stationed here at Elmendorf for several years back in the mid-1960s. In those days, his main instrument was the accordion, normally performing with the base commander's jazz combo. However he could also be seen playing at the recently-opened Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. He performed there at the request of the hotel's owner, Walter J. Hickel, who went on to become the governor of Alaska twice.

As the music director for the Greatlanders,‭ ‬I must say that Tom Coster's artistry elevated the band's already fabulous playing level to brilliant new heights.‭ ‬His calm,‭ ‬soft-spoken demeanor and infectious sense of humor made tackling his very difficult music a practically effortless undertaking.‭

Tom's method of‭ ‬opening up‭ ‬certain musical sections allowed band members their own room to‭ ‬stretch out‭ ‬on both solos AND ensemble playing.‭ ‬The resulting high-energy performance was surely a musical treat for all who witnessed it,‭ ‬and is truly a high-water mark on the Greatlanders‭' ‬busy‭ ‬2010‭ ‬performance schedule.

After three days of intensive rehearsal,‭ ‬the Greatlanders performed their own one-hour show,‭ ‬followed by a one hour set with Mr.‭ ‬Coster,‭ ‬including‭ "‬Soul Vaccination‭" (‬from the‭ ‬Tower of Power‭ ‬book‭)‬,‭ ‬a couple of original compositions /‭ ‬arrangements by members of the Greatlanders. The show concluded with two of Mr.‭ ‬Coster's best-known compositions,‭ "‬Europa‭" (co-written with Carlos Santana) ‬and‭ "The ‬Perfect Date‭"‬.‭