Best known for his extensive work with Prince in the 1990’s, Barbarella’s reputation for excellence and versatility extended over the following 2 decades by touring, recording and performing with the likes of Art Garfunkel, Mavis Staples, Jonny Lang, Nick Jonas, Italian superstar Giorgia and Minneapolis supergroup Greazy Meal.
He has contributed his talents to Hollywood features by iconic directors like Spike Lee, Robert Altman and Marc Forester, as well as composing award-winning commercial tracks for Nike, Budweiser, Audi and hundreds of others. A veteran of touring and playing live, Barbarella is also a first-call session musician. His keyboard work can be heard on recordings by artists as diverse as Demi Lovato, Switchfoot, Backstreet Boys, Ziggy Marley, Love & Rockets, David Sylvian, Miley Cyrus, Daniel Powter, Mandy Moore and many more.
As a frequent arranger and performer with the Minnesota Orchestra, Tommy’s worlds came together in September of 2016 when the Orchestra performed his arrangement of Prince’s “Purple Rain” at the stunning halftime show of the Minnesota Vikings inaugural game at U.S. Bank Stadium. More recently, his “Symphony of the North” collaboration with the Minnesota Orchestra and The Minnesota Vikings won BEST SHOW OPEN at the annual Golden Matrix Awards 2022.
