Tom's Studio
The Sound Behind the Music
Tom Brown's performances come to life through a remarkable blend of tradition and technology. He performs on a handmade Borsini accordion, crafted in Italy in the 1960s and designed by the legendary jazz accordionist Tony Dannon. Tony was co-owner of the renowned Modern Accordion Studio, once the largest and most successful accordion school in the United States and in the world, producing countless national and international champions.
To enhance the accordion’s expressive power, his instrument is MIDI-equipped and connected to three rhythm orchestrators:
Roland BK-7M Backing Module
Ketron X4 Orchestra/Rhythm Module
Orla 600 XM
Each orchestrator offers a wide range of professional-quality rhythms and hundreds of authentic instrumental sounds. Tom also integrated the Ketron SD4 module, known for its exceptionally realistic digital instruments—especially the trumpet tones, which sound so true-to-life you might think Bobby Hackett or Harry James were performing live.
These powerful modules allow him to perform as a one-person orchestra, seamlessly combining bass patterns, strings, horns, percussion, and chorus. Tom's left-hand buttons trigger accompaniment patterns, while his right-hand keyboard brings the melody to life with the rich tones of instruments ranging from pianos and organs to saxophones, clarinets, flutes, vibes, guitars, mandolins, violins, cellos, and many more.
Each sound module is linked to a separate foot pedal, giving me real-time control to blend and layer instruments—such as accordion and trumpet, vibes and accordion, or accordion and organ—creating a dynamic, full-bodied sound that feels like an entire ensemble.
Tom Brown's Accordion and Recording Studio
Tom’s primary instrument is a Borsini Modern accordion—an exceptional instrument crafted for both precision and expressive performance. The legendary accordion virtuoso and teacher Tony Dannon of Modern Accordion Studio commissioned Borsini to build what he envisioned as the finest accordion in the world. The result was a remarkable instrument featuring 44 treble keys and an extended 21¾-inch keyboard (22¾ inches including the celluloid board). By comparison, a standard full-size accordion typically has 41 treble keys and a 19¼-inch keyboard, making the Borsini’s extended range especially well suited for greater musical flexibility and expression.
This accordion is equipped with handmade BINCI professional reeds—four treble reed sets (LM1M2H), concert-tuned with just a touch of swing, and five sets of bass reeds. A built-in tone modulator enhances the instrument’s voice, producing a beautifully warm and distinctive sound.
The American walnut keys, fitted with Lucite key tops, provide a light touch and smooth, responsive keyboard action. The instrument features 26 treble switches, thoughtfully arranged in two groups of 13 in reverse order, allowing easy access from any position on the keyboard. Available tonal options include bassoon, accordion, bandoneon, harmonium, organ, master, musette, violin, oboe, clarinet, and piccolo—offering remarkable versatility and expressive range.
Additional features include a Palm Master switch, along with separate controls to open and close the tone modulator, 120 basses and chords, a noise-free bass machine, and seven bass switches for added versatility. The mahogany bellows frame ensures a clean, airtight response and delivers impressive volume with exceptional tonal clarity.
For amplification, the accordion is equipped with independent treble and bass microphone controls, a ¼-inch pickup, and premium Sennheiser microphones. These components are seamlessly integrated with advanced Musictech MIDI technology, enabling the instrument to produce the sound of a full band—or even an entire orchestra—from a single accordion.
The instrument weighs 30 pounds and is fitted with comfortable 3½-inch Italian leather shoulder straps in excellent condition, along with a new bellows protector and a custom Italian-made case. The switches are mounted directly above the tone modulator without compromising its integrity, preserving the instrument’s structural design while producing a robust, vibrant sound that rivals the finest double-tone chamber accordions.
Its aged mahogany body, combined with handmade reeds, delivers instant response and a deep, resonant tone—qualities immediately appreciated by both players and audiences alike.
In his home recording studio, Tom has recorded 952 songs across 61 CDs using a Tascam Digital Porta-Studio DP-01FX/CD, an eight-channel digital recorder. Every piece is arranged, performed, and recorded entirely by him in stereo. By utilizing the accordion as a MIDI keyboard workstation, he is able to produce a wide spectrum of instrumental voices, seamlessly blending traditional accordion artistry with the lush textures of a modern orchestra.