Drummer and composer Tom Skinner has released his latest single, “Margaret Anne”, a rhythmically taut, deeply personal piece dedicated to his mother, the former concert-piano prodigy Anne Shasby. The track arrives ahead of Skinner’s forthcoming second solo album, Kaleidoscopic Visions, out September 26, 2025, via Brownswood Recordings and International Anthem.
The single, inspired by both Max Roach’s rhythmic legacy and his mother’s enduring influence, stands as the most up-tempo track on the album.
“In the early 80s, shortly after I was born, my mother stepped away from the concert stage — not out of a loss of ability or passion, but out of frustration with the entrenched misogyny of the classical world, and to focus on raising our family,” Skinner reflects. “She never stopped playing, though; the sound of her piano has been a constant presence throughout my life, and still is to this day. The rhythm and taut energy of this piece speaks to her courage, strength, and resilience in following her heart.”
Opening with Skinner’s commanding drum patterns, “Margaret Anne” unfolds as a living tribute — pulsing, driving, and resolute. Its name emerged only later, as Skinner considered the role his mother’s artistry and resilience continue to play in shaping his music.
To mark the release of Kaleidoscopic Visions, Skinner will tour the US this October, before a special London performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
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October 1 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall (with Makaya McCraven)
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October 5 — Brooklyn, NY — Finer Sounds (Album listening party)
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October 6 — Brooklyn, NY — Public Records
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October 7 — Philadelphia, PA — Solar Myth
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November 21 — London, UK — Queen Elizabeth Hall (EFG London Jazz Festival)
Listen to “Margaret Anne” and preorder Kaleidoscopic Visions here!
