Pianist and composer Tom McDermott was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1957. He began studying piano at six and became a professional musician at sixteen. He earned his Masters of Music at Washington University in St. Louis in 1982. Two years later he moved to New Orleans, where he is noted for the musical styles linked to the town, especially Dixieland, jazz, and ragtime. He was in the group "Dukes of Dixieland" in the 1990s.
In addition, he performs other styles, including Brazilian choro, which has been called "the New Orleans jazz of Brazil." His arrangements for such groups as the New Orleans Nightcrawlers combine traditional New Orleans style with distinctive modern innovations. Tom read and performed for the Healthy Voices public service announcements offering safety tips after Hurricane Katrina.