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Fascinating…he absolutely captivated me.’ John Richards, Galway Bay FM Probably best known for playing the Dobro/Resonator guitar on his lap with a steel bar Tom is an active musician on the Galway scene. Although primarily regarded as a Blues musician, in reality Portman’s compositions are like a melting pot drawing on a wide variety of influences and genres from around the world. This winter has seen Tom concentrating on teaching and composing new music for a new album to be released in 2010. Over this last year Tom has had performances with Indian fusion ensemble ‘The Bahh Band’, Bluegrass group ‘Gone to Grass’, Peader King and ‘Charis’. 2009 saw performances at the Volvo Ocean Race, Clifden Jazz & Blues festival, Bundoran Surf festival, the Fetival of World Cultures and the Electric Picnic. Tom is also performing solo and with a Trio he has started up. In 2007 he released The Journey, a 16-track an intimate solo album featuring his instrumentals and songs. On an international level Portman’s Dobro playing is now on the soundtrack of the Magma films feature film “The Ugly Duckling & Me”, it’s spin off cartoon series has been broadcast on RTE and across Europe. In Ireland, Tom has worked with many people including ‘Roesy’ and Peader King.