Thomas Michael "T.M." Stevens
July 28, 1951 ~ March 10, 2024
Born in:
Bronx, NY
Resided in:
Englewood, NJ
Thomas Michael Stevens
July 28, 1951 – March 10, 2024
Englewood, NJ
Thomas Michael Stevens (T.M. Stevens) passed away peacefully on March 10, 2024, after a long illness at the Actors Fund Home of Englewood, New Jersey.
World-famous bassist, songwriter, session player, and solo performer T.M. Stevens was born to Dorothy Stevens (d. 2007), who referred to her son as Mike, in the South Bronx of New York. At eleven, he became interested in playing music, sitting outside nightclubs to listen to the musicians perform and frequenting venues such as the Apollo Theater to listen to legends such as James Brown, eventually recording on Brown’s Billboard charting album Gravity.
T.M.’s single mother, Dorothy, raised him as best she could; however, she relied heavily on a constant maternal figure for T.M. from his birth, Thomisina Mayme Johnson Santiago, known to T.M. as “Aunt Buzzie.” Ms. Santiago was a close friend of T.M.’s mother when they both served state-side in the military. T.M. would go on to live with his Aunt Buzzie from his pre-teen years to his coming of age. While studying to be a Medical Lab technician at The Bronx Community College, T.M. was encouraged by a professor to do what he loved most – play and perform music. He practiced his musical craft by playing after-hours clubs around NYC, developing into a virtuoso bassist with a unique style encompassing funk, rock, jazz, and soul. T.M. was a highly-sought-after player and session musician and has recorded and toured with many artists, including James Brown, Nona Hendryx, Joe Cocker, The Pretenders, Cyndi Lauper, Little Steven, Tina Turner, Narada Michael Walden, Darlene Love, Stevie Salas, and Billy Joel, along with hundreds of album credits including session recordings with Miles Davis and performances with Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston and had become a fixture on many rock and metal tribute albums over the years. Describing his music styling as heavily influenced in his youth, including James Brown, Sly Stone, Larry Graham, P-Funk, and Hendrix, followed by the influences of Metallica, Living Colour, Bad Brains, Fishbone – bands that added the funk-inspiring him to incorporate those two elements in his way, releasing seven albums.
1978 was a pivotal year for TM Stevens as he concluded his Broadway orchestra run with the play “Your Arms Too Short to Box With God” and joined Miles Davis in the Columbia Records New York recording studio in March. Next came his first touring gig with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu One Truth Band, followed by his touring with the Narada Michael Walden band. For the next five decades, T.M. traveled the world performing with the elite in music and as a headliner himself. T.M. was also known for his flamboyant fashion sense and persona fronting his metal funk band Shocka Zooloo. T.M. won the hearts of fans around the globe as both a teacher and mentor to new and established bass players and will be forever remembered as a virtuosic bass giant and deftly funky producer/singer with a huge, loving heart whose motto was “Forever Bass.”
Thomas Michael Stevens was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Stevens, and guardian, Thomisina (Buzzie) Johnson Santiago. He leaves to cherish his memory Aunt Buzzie’s nieces – his childhood companions and fictive kin: Martine Dalton Jones (Kevin) of Grand Rapids, MI, Frances Dalton of Grand Rapids, MI, Barbara Dalton Harley (Raymond) of North Carolina, former wife Takako Walsh, his loving, long-time companion Carrie Beehan, numerous close friends, and musical peers, including B.J. Nelson, TC Tolliver (Doe), Narada Michael Walden, Will Calhoun, and caretaker Kevin Brennan, along with multitudes of his fans from around the world. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charities below.
The T.M. Stevens Music Scholarship Fund
In the cherished memory of T.M. Stevens, in lieu of flowers, we extend a heartfelt invitation for you to contribute to the T.M. Stevens Bass Scholarship Fund, a tribute to T.M.’s enduring legacy and profound love for music and life. T.M.’s passion for nurturing talent will continue to resonate through this initiative, designed to support an aspiring bass player aged 12+ from the Bronx, New York—T.M.’s birthplace which always remained close to his heart. This scholarship isn’t just for financial support; it’s a beacon of hope and opportunity to foster the evolution and growth of the next generation of musicians. In supporting the scholarship fund you will be part of a broader vision to build this tribute into a nationwide program that champions talented young musicians who unfortunately lack the resources to take their artistry to the next level. Let’s keep the rhythm of T.M.’s life, joy, and love of music alive by empowering young artists to follow in his resonant footsteps.
https://www.every.org/inkubator-inc/f/bass-forever-the-tm-stevens
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Actors Fund Home situated at 155-175 West Hudson Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631 for their superb health care and supportive services in an environment filled with warmth, charm and excellent care-givers. Donations can be made via the following link:
Services
Visiting: May 4, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home
327 Main Street
Fort Lee, NJ 7024
Service: May 4, 2024 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home
327 Main Street
Fort Lee, NJ 7024
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TM was a powerhouse and when I met him, as sweet as could be. Glad to have known him for ever so short a time. May his music live forever and in our hearts.
So much love you gave to us all and we send it to you now too🙏🌷❤️
God speed to Heaven TM where the ultimate band awaits you
……with great fondness,Nurse Julie Grano
My heart is broken to hear of the passing of my friend and fellow bandmate, T.M. STEVENS. I only have wonderful and amazing memories of touring with TM on the Joe Cocker tour. He was always a STAR in his own right and masterful musician and entertainer. I will miss him greatly but will hold every memory I have a TM as treasure. Rest in Peace, my friend. I thank God for blessing my life with your presence.
My friend, your shine was and remains greater than a thousand suns. Your uniqueness will continue to inspire and light the paths of many to come. Thank you for all the joy and laughter, stellar music contributions and for your deep recognition and love for all people.
I really miss you! The heavenly band got a great bass player!
TM, I am going to miss seeing your smiling face! I will miss your bigger-than-life personality and your energy! Till we meet again in eternity!
Love,
Dr Brookenstein!
I let a brilliant musician, a wonderful man and a very sweet person.
His kindness, his humility and his joy have enlightened my life and you could not think about TM without thinking about his smile, his laughs, his positivity.
He always showed pride for his origins and nothing will erase TM from my heart.
He struck my mind because of his human touch at all time.
He is missed and all his French fans will remember him. A true bass talented and hard worker musician. And a gentleman.
You have always been a source of inspiration.
Tm Stevens wanted the greatest to ever do it. I’m gonna miss you brother. I’m glad that we had a chance to perform together as well as we become close friends. You’re in good hands with the Lord now, rest well, my brother.
❤️❤️
Thankyou for your music TM.
Condolences to family and friends.
Dearest TM, you will always be the keeper of the bottom end flame. Your presence as an artist/musician will never be duplicated but more importantly your positivity, generosity, love of life and human spirit is greater. TY for everything and please Hug, Dan, Joe, Phil and James for all of us ❤️❤️
Love, Chris
Thank you for your friendship and mentorship. You were always kind, caring and selfless. Thank you for being a big influence and inspiration in my life. Jam on out until I get there my friend ❤️
T.M., Each one of us has an expiration DATE. This is a FACT, but every now and then an individual comes along that has the ability to create DOUBT as to whether or not this is TRUE. Having known you for almost forty years, in my opinion YOU were one such person, truly ONE of a KIND. A HIGHLY CHARISMATIC, POSITIVE and ENERGETIC BASS VIRTUOSO. Although, it seems like yesterday, I will always remember the great times that you, Nate, Bob Black (R.I.P.) and myself spent on tour with Stacy Lattisaw many years ago. My heart is heavy, and I will miss you. Much LOVE & RESPECT my brother. I WILL see you on the other side. “Kirk Out…..Work Out”
TM, you will always be In my heart. From your musical talents to your story telling you were amazing. I will always treasure the moments you would come see me in my office just to talk and then play with my phone camera. I am certain you adding a major amount of funk to Heaven’s Band.
A kiss to each cheek.
Love Donna
I had the honor of interviewing T.M. numerous times for Bass Player magazine (including an analysis and transcription of his killer bass line on Narada’s “I Shoulda Loved Ya”). I saw him perform many times and got to know him pretty well. He was a towering figure in bass and life. Underneath the flamboyance and flashiness, you could feel the foundation, both in his playing and his persona. He was cutting edge but humble, and eternally cool. We will miss you, T.M. But rest assured you made quite a mark on this planet.
Whenever I hear thunder, I know it’s you making the heavens a bit more funky. Thank you for being a friend for so many years, and for letting me tear it up on stage with you. You will always be one of the best bassists in the world, and the best I ever played with. And for offering THE best piece of advice ever: “People pay money to see the whites of your eyes, not the top of your head. Give them a show!” Yes sir! Rest easy, TM.
What a blessing to have known you dear T.M. – a friendship that began in 1979 when we recorded “The Dance Of Life” with Narada Michael Walden, not long after he and Anukampa Lisa moved to San Francisco. Recording, touring, and hanging together … all highlights in my life. Thank my dear friend. I will hold you in my heart forever ❤️🙏
I always looked forward to getting together and having jam sessions at every opportunity even though we were both bass players. One of the most memorable was a jam that I organized for Kramer guitars back in 1986 when we shared a stage with Eddie Van Halen and Billy Idol And Randy Castillo. Sam, Kennison, and Dweezil Zappa came up to jam with us, and it was just terrific. Our paths crossed so many times within this crazy music business and TM was a glorious beacon of light and beauty and character. What a beautiful soul, and that soul lives on in my memory, and in my mind to this present day, and always.
Love you and miss you TM. You really left your mark on this guy.
I’m so sad that you’re not here, I still can’t believe it.
I am very appriciate for the many things you have told me. I will continue to share that your message about how much important the real grove music with the public.
Rest in Peace.
I will miss his presence, the rasp in his voice, his humility, his love.
I’m glad to have known him since I was a kid.
Failed health is heartbreaking, may we all remember to love
while we can.
So thankful for the funeral arrangements.
Thomas you were…. and always will be my Forever Love!!! the World came to know your greatness
as you wanted…Mission Accomplished!! Your saying “keep the buck faith forever”…you did just that too.. You’ve performed with many, were loved by many more, and you will remain truly Unfreakin forgettable…
RIP King
Rest In Eternal Peace Brother… I Love and Miss You…🙏❤️🙏🎸
TM – God bless and keep your soul. You were truly the “Bass in the Face -Shocka Zooloo Warrior”, a one in a million force to be reckoned with. You will be truly missed. I miss you ! My brother from another mother.🙏❤️🔥
Cheers T.M..
I will miss you, your voice, and big smile, your sound on the bass was bigger than life.
Always the positive voice for change.
Thank you for your contribution
Oscar Deric Brown