From Rock to Blues & Jazz – A Musical Journey of Rediscovery

Tom Coal's musical story is one of evolution, passion, and the return to his roots. At the age 15, he discovered the guitar and rarely put it down. It fueled his passion and dedication, spending hours practicing each day and delfing deeper and deeper into the world of music.

In the 80s, he formed the Tom Köhler Band, writing songs and bringing a dynamic German rock sound to the stage. Articles from that time capture the energy and ambition that drove him and his band.

In the mid-90s, Tom’s life took an unexpected turn when he lost his mother at a young age.

“It was a profound experience that made me deeply aware of the fragility of life.”

Music faded into the background. He turned his creative energy to another craft - woodworking. Tom became a master carpenter and later a certified designer. In his woodshop and interior design studio, he created high quality-furniture and living spaces - always guided by a strong sense of craftsmanship, artistic sensitivity, and attention to detail.

In 2016, another turning point occurred when his father passed away. This brought back memories and emotions that needed an outlet.
Once again, he turned to music - after more than 20 years of silence.

Inspired by blues legends like B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King, Tom reconnected with his musical roots and picked up the guitar again.
Together with his former bandmate from the Tom Köhler Band, he formed the blues cover group „T.W. Coal & Double 49“, diving deep into the blues that had reignited his passion.

After that, he found his way into jazz. As a young man, he had been fascinated by guitarists like Pat Metheny, Gerge Benson, Larry Carlton and others - but now he wanted to understand their music on a deeper level.

So, with the curiosity of a student, Tom enrolled at RPJAM in Gießen from 2017 to 2020, studying complex musical structures, expanding his skills on the guitar, and gaining profound insights into songwriting and arrangement.

“I was 55, and my fellow students were at their early 20s. But continuing education and lifelong learning is like an elixir of life for me - if you stop learning, you`re dead.”

One thing became clear: Music had found its way back to him.

In late 2023, Tom closed his carpentry business to focus entirely on his music. However, he kept a small workshop as a personal space and sometimes works for himself.

Now, in his self-built studio in the solitude of the Bird Mountains, he has been working on his debut album, Back from the Woodshop - a project that reflects his life experiences, memories, aging, and the search for meaning. Musically, he moves between his influences from rock, jazz and blues.

For this album, he draws inspiration from artists and bands like Steely Dan, Chicago, Larry Carlton and The Beatles. Music with sophisticated harmonies and arrangements.

“My songs work great in a singer-songwriter setting with minimal instrumentation, but I love crafting rich arrangements - with layered horn sections, intricate vocal harmonies, and extended instrumental parts. With modern studio technology and online collaboration, I can work with musicians across the globe - and I´m making full use of that for my album.”

To test his songs and regain stage experience, Tom has been playing at sessions in the Rhein-Main area since 2024. The album is set to be completed by the end of 2025.

What comes next?

“After that, I want to bring my music to the people - playing live and online concerts, building my social media presence, and producing videos. Today, being a musician means doing it all. It`s an exciting journey, and there´s always something new to learn.”