Tom Mullinix
Jazz & Dixieland Trumpeter
Inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame in 2005
Tom Mullinix
( August 06, 1929 - December 28, 2010)
A native of Indianapolis, Tom played trumpet and had his first swing band in high school. He played local gigs in Indy bars and restaurants before military service. Afterward, he lived in Miami and worked in the hotels and Playboy Club, as well as traveling throughout the South for several years before going to California.
After playing gigs in the San Francisco and San Diego areas, he settled in Orange County, where he was headquartered for many years. He led bands in and around Disneyland and in the hotels of Orange County, and had the Dixieland band for the California Angels for several years.
For almost three decades he's worked in and out of Indianapolis, where his bands have played for countless special events, fund-raisers and community celebrations. He's also done longterm stints in local clubs, including'his quartefs recent nine year-stint at Indy's premiere Downtown night spot, Nicky Blaine's.
Tom's trumpet stylings are most influenced by Bobby Hackett, Louis Armstrong, Harry James and Miles Davis. Vocal influences includeTony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mercer.
He's played with some of the country's top musicians, but most of the time he's led his own bands. Currently he leads a big band, a six-piece dance/show band, a Dixieland band and a jazz quartet.
Tom has recorded throughout his career, including a double compact disc of 29 Hoagy Carmichael tunes with vocals by Hoagy's son, Randy, using a full big band plus strings. Other recent CDs include $preadin'the Joy with the Naptown Strutters, his Indy Dixieland band; Diggin'in at Nicky Blaine's with his jazz quartet; a holiday offering, Four Christmas Cookies, and, most recently, ute Is Beautiful and Remember When.
!:ie's played in numerous jazz festivals around the U.S. and has presented shows featuring Randy Carmichael and the Hoagy Carmichael repertoire. He now lives in the Tampa Bay area, where he plays casuals with his bands of various sizes.
In his native Indianapolis, Tom has received two coveted honors: He was named an Indiana Legend of Jazz in 2004 and was inducted into the Indiana Jazz Hall of Fame in 2005. In St. Petersburg, he serves on the board of the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association.
