About
Wherever Tomi Berry sings, she spreads joy. Whether singing smooth R&B, swinging jazz, or sultry ballads, she holds an audience in rapt attention. A spiritual song-stylist, she engages her listeners in musical conversation.
The 2016 42nd Annual Lawrence Award Winner for “Best Seasoned Performer” and the runner up for the 2016’s inaugural Atlanta’s Top Vocalist competition, Susan “Tomi” Berry has an extensive background in performing and public speaking.
An accomplished, classically trained singer, Tomi has performed most of her life in multiple music genres, starting formally in gospel and spiritual church choirs in her hometown of Montclair, NJ.
She continued to perform throughout college in classical and madrigal choirs, chorale and was the first soloist to sing with the college jazz band. She also performed with a campus band that did pop and R&B tunes for campus events and private functions.
In Atlanta, she performed with the Hillside Chapel and Truth Center Choir and Jubilee Singers and was a member of the “neo-spiritual” group I Am Unlimited.
She has been a member and briefly served on the board of Southeastern Organization for Jazz Arts (SOJA) where she performed a two-woman show with vocalist Nina Carl, with support from Terry Harper on piano, Danny Harper on trumpet and Delbert Felix on contrabass.
She also had the opportunity to perform with jazz pianist/songwriter, Donald Brown during an in-home performance in the Atlanta area and has been supported by jazz pianist/musician/songwriter Takana Miyamoto on multiple projects as well as by pianist Rodney Martino Avery.
She was the featured performer at The Velvet Note Acoustic Living Room in 2013 where she performed two shows featuring GRAMMY Award winning, Atlanta-based producer/keyboardist, Phil Davis, bassist. Trey Gilbert, and drummer, Joey Williams.
Tomi continues to perform at clubs in the Atlanta metro area like Riley’s on the Square, church and community events and frequents the local jam sessions including Venkman's and The Velvet Note Acoustic Living Room.
She supports music and arts projects, volunteers for drummer, Jorel “J-Fly’” Flynn’s non-profit How Big Is Your Dream Foundation which teaches and supports youth in art and music. She is also a member of Atlanta Lovers of Music Association (ALOMA) which hosts in-home concerts of local, national and international performers in jazz, blues and classical genres.
She hosted internet TV shows for www.InternetFabulous.TV where she spoke to local talent. She also hosted several shows for Best of Atlanta Concerts TV’ (www.BOACTV.com), an internet-based media site focused on behind the scenes stories and interviews of top-named artists who visit Atlanta’s premier venues. Some of her features have included saxophonist - Kim Waters, drummer - Terri Lyne Carrington, producer/musician/keyboardist - Phil Davis, bassist, -Marcus Miller, musicians - Jay Beckenstein and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra, vocalists - Dianne Reeves and Nnenna Freelon and legendary jazz pianist Johnny O’Neal and legendary guitarist - George Benson.
She continued this work as Spokesperson for internet radio station www.JS108Atlanta.com where she interviewed local, national and international artists at events around the
southeast. This list includes, violinists – Chelsey Green and Josh Vietti, keyboardists - Brian Culbertson and Jeff Lorber, saxophonists, Mindy Abiar, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, and Boney James, bassist - Tres Gilbert (New Edition/Bobby Brown), guitarist - Norman Brown, drummer, composer and producer - Norman Connors and vocalists - Lalah Hathaway and Al Jarreau.
Tomi has a background in corporate training facilitation, teambuilding, executive coaching and motivational speaking. She uses her knowledge of presentation skills and her own stage knowledge as a singer to coach others in voice, stage presence and artist development.
She is a native of Montclair, NJ, and attended Lafayette College in Easton, PA graduating with a B.S. in English. She resides in the Atlanta area with her husband and son.