Chicago Tribune critic raves about Andrea Marcovicci’s NO STRINGS and singles out Tom’s song “The Night I Fell in Love with Paris”

Howard Reich writes:

“Perhaps no song in her program summed up this sentiment [how our journeys – in one way or another – are inextricably bound up with what we’re really looking for: love] more knowingly than a new work, Tom Toce’s ‘The Night I Fell in Love with Paris.’ Marcovicci sang this nocturne with long lines, a dreamy tone and a heightened sensitivity to the meaning of each word. And there was humor, too, as Toce’s lyric gently satirized the mythology of Paris, even as he embraced the city’s palpable romance. Marcovicci brought forth these gently comic asides with a smile in her voice, positioning ‘The Night I Fell in Love with Paris’ as a decidedly modern-day response to the City of Light (her spoken introduction helped listeners decode Toce’s contemporary references).”

LIVING STANDARDS opens to rave reviews, including one from Stephen Holden in the New York Times

Starring Marissa Mulder and produced and directed by Tom Toce, this cabaret show thrilled audiences at the Metropolitan Room for four performances in May and June. Holden writes:

“In contemporary songwriting, how true is the commonly voiced adage ‘They don’t write ’em like they used to’? That received wisdom is powerfully challenged in the singer Marissa Mulder’s wonderful new show, ‘Living Standards.'”

Look for more performances later this year!

Tom performs at the Metropolitan Room!

Tom has been a frequent “industry representative” at Bernie’s Sing Your Heart Out New Talent Showcase, offering a songwriter’s perspective to new performers. On April 24, however, Tom appeared as one of the performers, singing his MAC Award-winning song “Shalom, Santa” and a new song, “Younger Than My Years.”

On June 13, Tom was a guest artist in Dana Lorge’s Variety Show. Tom again sang “Younger Than My Years,” which is a co-write with Jeep Rosenberg, and “More and More,” co-written with Joe Mulroy.

Tom to be a guest judge at the next Metrostar Talent Challenge in August

Tom joins an array of guest judges including his HOPELESSLY IN LOVE pals Carole J. Bufford, Lauren Fox, Marissa Mulder, and KT Sullivan. “MetroStar” offers a career-boosting package of prizes and professional encouragements, including a fully produced primetime Met Room engagement and live recording. Marissa Mulder was the 2011 Metrostar winner.

Return to John Bohannon’s Jazz Cafe

On April 28th, Tom returned to the Jazz Cafe on WHRU, hosted by John Bohannon. John’s interview with Tom covered his songwriting career and focused on the Hopelessly in Love CD, from which John played several tracks. Tom also performed two songs live in the studio.