Tommy Snyder was born and raised in Springfield, Mass. He started drum lessons at the age of 7, and when he was 9, his piano playing father, Sid, started taking him to local clubs and jam sessions. He started working steadily from the age of 12, sometimes wearing a fake moustache to hide his age. Tommy was a student of Joe Porcaro and then Al Lepak, studying mallets, tymps etc. In 1977 he was invited to joing the Japanese pop-rock group, Godiego, and moved to Japan. At the end of 1978, Godiego had the first of many number one hits, and went on to influence the Japanese music scene like no other group in Japanese music history. They were the first rock group to perform in China (1980), played for 60,000 people in Katmandu (1980), backed up other artists, did movie soundtracks and dominated the charts through the mid 80's.
Tommy is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, also plays and performs on piano, and a little flute , with over 250 songs published and recorded. He has also published 9 books, mainly for children, most recently releasing a CD/Book for kids to learn English with music.
He has also been working with Roland for over 25 years, and is deeply involved in the development of Roland's successful electronic drums and percussion products. He has appeared at all the major trade shows (NAMM, Franfurt Music Messe, British Music fair etc) and has given drum clinics and presentations in over 25 countries over the years.
He has also composed and/or performed 100's of jingles for the Japanese TV and Radio market.
Tommy's released 6 solo albums with various styles, recording with musicians of mixed cultures and backgrounds. Some of those include Max Middleton, Jean-Michel Kajdan, Mickie Yoshino, Char, Makinto, Pascal Danae etc. He's also lent his strong voice to various dance music projects in France, with a 2006 release of the Van Morrison song, Gloria.
Still active in Japan with Godiego, Tommy has been based in Paris since 1987, though travels constantly, mainly to Japan.