About Tom

2019 Scots Trad Awards ‘Musician of the Year’ nominee, Tom is regarded as one of the UK’s top Flautists and Multi-instrumentalists. Edinburgh-based, he has spent the last two decades ploughing many different furrows as a traditional/contemporary musician, composer, producer, and sound designer. Known widely for his work with Shetland fiddler Ross Couper (‘Exquisite’ The Guardian **** ) Genre-bending pan Finnish act ‘The Auvo Quartet’ and new Scottish powerhouse OBT. 

Working with scenes as diverse as Arabic Hip-Hop + Moroccan Gnawa (In Marrakech and Casablanca) Contemporary Americana, Indian traditional, Classical, and Bhangra music (In residency in Mumbai) Scandinavian Traditional music, Jazz, and on projects with the Northern Sinfonia, Mr Mc Fall’s Chamber and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.


Rooted in traditional music. Tom has performed with a veritable who’s who of the Scottish, Irish, and English scenes including Tim Eady, Chris Stout, Jackie Oates, Kevin Henderson, Adam Sutherland, Allan MacDonald, Cathal McConnell, and many more

Interview with Tom Oakes

Learn about Tom's musical background and what folk music means to Tom.

Tom's' courses

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