Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Trinity Thomas
Hi Tori Trinity , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Allentown Pennsylvania also known as the Lehigh Valley, lived there for about about 9 years until my family moved Wake Forest NC in 2013. Growing up in Pennsylvania, my childhood home was always filled with music. My father who is an electric bassist himself, made sure that my two younger sisters and I were involved in music at a very young age. At around 5 years old, I began music lessons on Piano and continued to study piano for about 7 years. My father claims that I had an ear for music at a young age, but playing the piano was more of something my father wanted me to do rather than something I was interested in.
It wasn’t until I turned 13 in the 8th grade that I officially selected the flute, my current instrument of choice. As a child I my father had purchased an old flute that he kept in the house as a collector of instruments. I was never allowed to touch the flute since i was too young, but perhaps this is what led to my interest in the instrument later in life. I remember wanting to play the violin like my sisters or even the trumpet, but somehow I ended up with the flute. I like to say that rather than choosing the instrument, the flute chose me… it was Kismet.
It wasn’t long before I began taking flute lessons under the instruction of a local flute teacher while living in Raleigh NC, this teacher also happened to also be the first chair flutist for the North Carolina Symphony at the time.
It did not take long for her to have an impact on my life’s direction. and within a month of taking lessons, I knew that I was wanted to take the steps to pursue music professionally. I was drawn to the process of practicing and the reward of learning something new. The energy and excitement of performing in front of an audience was appealing to me. I looked at the lifestyle of my former teacher, a classically trained flutist, who frequently performed live concerts and traveled across the world… I could see myself in her shoes one day.
Fast forward a couple of years down the line in 2021 my love for the flute inspired me to pursue a conservatory music education at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, for my last year of high school. This experience was difficult for me as moving away from home at 17 to study in such an intense program came with it’s challenges, but in the end; studying in this environment had a huge impact on me and contributed greatly to my musical growth on the instrument.
For the longest time, I had solely focused on classical study not realizing the world of music and expression available to me through Jazz. It was at UNCSA that I discovered an interest in Jazz, However, the school of the arts did not have a Jazz program or faculty to teach the style as there is an emphasis on classical study. Yet I knew at the time that versatility was important to me as a musician, and I had an interest in expanding my artistry beyond one style of music. I wanted the ability to fluidly move from one genre to the next much like the great Hubert Laws who was a huge inspiration for me at the time.
Rather than continuing classical study at UNCSA for college, I decided to apply to other institutions where I could study both Classical and Jazz technique/repertory. In the fall of 2022, I committed to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where in my second year of study I switched my major from classical to jazz flute performance. Studying jazz at UNCG opened so many doors for me as both an improviser and performer. My professors could see that I was hungry to learn and in return created a space for me to participate in the program without doubling on the saxophone, This is a requirement for woodwind players in most other Jazz programs. Due to this, I became the first flutist ever to major in Jazz Performance at UNC Greensboro.
In my freshman year, I was selected to go on a week-long outreach tour across North Carolina, sharing jazz music and culture with young students from elementary and high schools. In my sophomore year, I was selected to perform in UNCG’s Spartan Jazz Collective at ‘The International John Coltrane Jazz and Blues Festival’. An incredible opportunity as I got to headline alongside artists like Terri Lyne Carrington, Samara Joy, and Matthew Whitaker.
Currrrently, I play around the Greensboro and Triangle area, often times with my younger sisters who are also jazz musicians. My sister Rayah is a bassist and Sierra is a Vibraphonist. At this time in my life, I’ve been taking extra time to pursue my own musical projects for example this past fall creating Greensboro’s first Women Led Jam Session for women in Jazz called “For The Girlz”.
You can also catch me performing with my Duo or Trio at various restaurants, hotels, and private events in the area. I always enjoy playing out in local jam sessions and performing gigs. Learning from the bandstand is one of the best ways to grow in this music. As a flutist, I look to model my career after artists like Bobbi Humphrey, Nicole Mitchell, and Elena Pinderhughes, all fierce musicians, bandleaders, and overall trailblazers for the flute in Jazz.
In regards to the next steps for me in my musical journey, I have plans to move to Baltimore Maryland in Jan of 2025 in pursuit of a larger pool in the metro area. As a flutist and Improviser, I am excited to see what is to come for me in a city with such rich musical history and culture. I look forward to a future of continuing the pursuit of musical knowledge and further advocating for women and flutists in Jazz!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There has been many times throughout my musical journey where I have dealt with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. especially when switching my primary focus over to Jazz. I’ve encountered so many negative comments about the flute in jazz. for example, the flute is a “useless instrument in jazz” or that “I would be so much more successful if I learned the saxophone and doubled for gigs”. Comments like these have gotten under my skin in past years, often making me question if I should continue with this journey at all. There was a time when I even experimented with learning the Alto saxophone because I truly believed that becoming a saxophonist would open doors for me that the flute could not. I’ve never been more wrong. Sometimes our souls just connect with an instrument, and I feel I have found my voice through the flute. I know that my uniqueness is my strength in this industry, Its my essence… what sets me apart.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance flutist/Performing Artist and specialize in Jazz, Classical, and Neo-Soul/R&B music styles.
In recent years I’ve had more of a focus on Jazz and R&B music styles often playing gigs around the area in that style of music. However, with a long history of studying classical repertory, I often work on classical projects as well.
I am known mostly for my work in the triangle’s jazz scene as most of my recent projects have been for Jazz related gigs and functions. I offer live music entertainment for hotels, restaurants and other private events under my business name Trinity Artisty Music. You can find me oftentimes playing in my duo (with either bass or piano) or other types of small combo groups. I’m always posting updates about where I’m giging currently or upcoming projects on my social media page @tori_trinity_flute that way i can connect with followers and people interested in what i may be up to.
I would say i’m most proud of my perseverance and growth in this music. There was a time when jazz seemed so daunting to me. Coming into this music as a classical musician was extremely difficult as I had to unlearn all of what was instilled in me while studying in a conservatory. The learning curve was huge! To this day sometimes I find myself going back into classical habits while improvising. Nevertheless, I commend myself on sticking it out and striving to continue on the lifelong journey of finding my own sound and experimenting with musical technique, language, and artistry.
This past year I began my journey as a composer, writing my first tune first tune entitled “Sweet Prince” for flute, alto sax, and rhythm section. This tune was never officially released, but video recorded and uploaded online. The next step would be to get my tune studio recorded and released before graduation from undergrad on an EP or album of sorts. This has been in the works for a while and I hope to release it in 2026. be sure to keep an eye out for official music coming soon!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the nightlife and the variety of things to do in Raleigh. You can never run out of places to go since Raleigh is such a vast city. There are multiple places to go shopping, go out with friends, catch live music throughout the week, or even go on a nice nature walk on a bike trail.
What I like least about the city is the traffic! Raleigh is such a bustling amazing city with so many work opportunities it’s understandable why so many new people move to Raleigh every year. However, the traffic, especially during rush hour can be unbearable, don’t even get me started on Capital Blvd. Now I’ll admit my family may have contributed to the issues as we are not originally from NC hailing from Pennsylvania haha.
Pricing:
- Restaurant/Private Event Entertainment Rates
- Duo: $200/hr
- Trio: $225/hr
- Quartet: $240/hr
- (For other inquiry’s please contact directly)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tori_trinity_flute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079565303443
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Trinityartistrymusic
- Other: https://linktr,ee/trinityartistry
