About the Artist

Thomas Joseph Gumina

Born 20 May 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Began studying accordion at age 11

Spent 5 years in Chicago studying under the great Andy Rizzo

Gave solo recitals and clubbed around between 1945 – 1951

Met Harry James in 1951 and in January 1952 went to Los Angeles in a series of television appearances with Mr. James.

Appears in a Universal-International musical short with Harry James Orch.

Also appeared on Ed Sullivan’s, Jackie Gleason’s, Perry Como’s and Liberace’s TV shows

Went solo in 1955

In 1956 started his own combo; met with consistent success in Las Vegas

Signed by Decca Records in 1957

Met Buddy DeFranco in 1959 or 1960; formed The Buddy DeFranco-Tommy Gumina Quartet

DeFranco and Gumina record 5 LP’s;  1 for Decca and 4 for Mercury  between 1960 & 1964

They appear with Sue Raney in February 1963 on “The Navy Swings” radio show

Gumina records with Willie Smith in 1965

Starts Polytone in 1968 designing and building amps and instruments

Occasionally gigs around although very seldom such as his appearance with Art Pepper

Occasionally records at Polytone, which, some 30 odd years later, Polytone is a very successful venture for Mr. Gumina and all the musicians who use Polytone equipment