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Tom Ackerman was born in Hollywood, California and began tap dancing and playing the clarinet at age 6.  He was at that time a member of a "family act" Dixieland Band called the "Stoplights and their Go-Go Jazz" called "The youngest and hottest Dixieland Jazz Band this side of the Mason-Dixon line!" They were performing at many local jazz clubs in Los Angeles as well as at Disneyland, the U.S.O. Club and on the famed "Ted Mack Amateur Hour" television show. In his later years he performed with some great artists such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Joe Williams, Julio Iglesias to name a few.  He graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1981.  Now residing in Victoria, Tom currently works with CanUS, a traditional Jazz Band playing clarinet and saxophone.  He has worked with the Ian McDougall Big Band, Fred Stride Orchestra, and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. He is also a regular member with Devon McCagherty and The Stomp.  Tom has taught alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute in private lessons with students from St. Michaels University School, Glenlyon Norfolk School, Minstrel's School of Music, Brentwood College and at his own music studio at his home in the Mt. Tolmie area.