As a pianist Tom Cleary has long-term performing associations with artists including Ellen Powell, James Harvey, Ray Vega and Rick Davies, and has accompanied artists including Lester Bowie, Bill Frisell, Chris Vidala and Pete Yellin.  Since 2008 he has performed on a number of national tours as keyboardist and vocalist in a band led by bassist Mike Gordon, which can be heard on the live recordings ‘Boulder 2008’, ‘Asheville 3/20/11’ and the recent release ‘The Egg’. He has been featured as pianist and/or arranger on recordings with artists including his wife, singer/songwriter Amber deLaurentis (on Hey Sadie), trombonist Rick Davies (on Siempre Salsa and Salsa Nortena), vocalist Hillary Capps (A Perfect Dozen and Playlist) and tenor saxophonist Brian McCarthy (all available on iTunes) and a CD by jazz vocal trio Blue Gardenias.  His performing career has also included work as an accompanist for many vocalists including Sandra Wright, Denise Whittier, Juliet McVicker, Taryn Noelle, Amber deLaurentis, Evita Cobo and Judi Silvano.

As a composer he has been commissioned by groups including the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts (for whom he composed the song cycle ‘New Seasons, Alterʼd Sky’) and the vocal group Social Band (his collaboration with Calais poet Geof Hewitt, ʻThree Seasonsʼ, was featured on their recent CD ‘Those Stars’). His work as a musical director has included many productions at Saint Michaelʼs Playhouse, including Big River, Barnum and The Drowsy Chaperone. He teaches jazz piano and jazz ensembles on the faculty of the Flynn Arts jazz program and the UVM Music Departmentʼs Jazz Studies program.