Originally from Germany, Thomas Gunther moved to Chicago in 1997, shortly after receiving his Masters Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Stuttgart. In Chicago, he soon became the pianist with the acclaimed Chicago Jazz Ensemble led by founder William Russo, who also offered him a teaching position at Columbia College Chicago where he is teaching music theory, jazz and pop piano, pop arranging and ensemble classes today.
Moving to Chicago helped him to realize his dream of performing with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the United States. In Chicago he has led many groups under his name and performed with many legendary jazz greats like Buddy Defranco, Dino Saluzzi, Lee Konitz, etc.
In 2002 he toured Germany with his Chicago based band Thomas Gunther's Taste Of Chicago Jazz Sextet with great success. One of the concerts has been recorded and released on CD by the Tübinger Jazz- und Klassik Tage.
