Tommy “Chooch” Chuchvara can thunder like a train.  A strong backbeat coupled with a funky-edged locomotive groove is his signature, and he has enjoyed a career filled with session work, live performances, and music for film and TV (Disney, Miramax, the WB Network). His long association with LA music contractors includes 5th Avenue Orchestras, West Coast Music, City Connection, Wayne Foster, and Ron Rubin Events. Tommy has performed and recorded with such luminaries as jazz/blues singer Mortonette Stephens, Michael Jackson producer and Lionel Richie keyboardist John Barnes, Texas guitarist extraordinaire, Gary Myrick, Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro, Three Dog Night singer-songwriter Chuck Negron, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and the legendary Edgar Winter.  

 

The youngest of six children from Davison, Michigan, Tommy fell in love with the drums at age 10 and never looked back. Raised on the sounds of the Motor City; R&B, funk, blues, and all-American rock ‘n’ roll, these all deeply inform his diverse style.

 

Whole-heartedly embracing the Southern California lifestyle after a family move brought him to San Diego at age 18, Tommy remained driven to drum and soon graduated from Musicians Institute in Hollywood. He excelled in private instruction from such talented drummers as Joe Porcaro (Toto), Casey Scheuerell (Santana, Chaka Khan) and Mark Craney (Eric Burden, Jethro Tull)

 

A hands-on guy and an outdoorsman, Tommy loves to hike, surf, mountain-bike and build stuff.  An avid runner, he has completed four marathons, six half-marathons and countless 10k charity runs. 

 

Tommy and his wife Andrea were college sweethearts and together have two sons. They are the loves of his life. He continues to play and teach drums near their home in the Studio City area. 

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