Kom Wongsawat started his classical piano lessons at the age of six. Hıs strong interest in jazz during his high school days brought him to his formal jazz education at the College of Music, Mahidol University. While at Mahidol University, Kom studied jazz piano with Denny Euprasert, Darin Pantoomkomol, Krit Buranavitayawut, Noppadol Tirataradol.
Furthermore, Kom also took jazz piano lessons with several other great musicians such as Danilo Perez, Randy Cannon and Taurey Butler, etc. During his study at Mahidol University, Kom started to perform professionally with a leading jazz band “Arnon’s Jazz Band” at Saxophone Pub, one of the leading jazz rooms in Thailand. Kom also has a strong interest in the art of jazz rhythm, which led to him taking jazz drumset seriously as well. He started to take private jazz drum lessons with Shawn Kelly and Chanutr Techatananant.
Kom has won several music competition in Thailand, Wining the “Best Keyboard Player 2005” by Overdrive Magazine, “Best Outstanding Keyboard” in the Thailand Jazz Competition 2006, and his band received First Prizes from many Jazz Band Competitions (As a pianist and drummer). As a jazz performer, Kom has performed in various jazz festival with several international renowned jazz artists, including, Billy Drummond, Rich Perry, Peter Bernstein and Mike Richmond at Bluenote Jazz Club, NY, Mike Rodriguez at The Nuyorican, Brad Shepik and John Hadfield at The Nuyorican to name a few.
Kom also take a big part about jazz education in Thailand, with Krit, Darin and Noppadol. Kom is a member of the four member organizing committee. We decided to organize the three-day Thailand International Jazz Conference (TIJC). Since 2009, TIJC provides a much-needed platform for the talented young jazz students to perform in a live setting, as well as a rare opportunity to observe and learn from top international jazz artists in a series of workshops. The deeper aim of the TIJC, reflected in its motto: “Through jazz, a society of happiness.” Kom aided in the selection of the American musicians, visiting venues and clubs in the U.S. He networked to pick musicians who “are generous, caring and kind with the audience—the fans—and enjoy sharing their talent and knowledge.
In 2011, Kom pursued his jazz studies in Master’s degree at New York University, where he takes lessons with world renowned musicians such as Kenny Werner, Jean-Michel Pilc, Brad Shepik, Billy Drummond, Rich Perry, Mike Richmond, Michael Rodriguez and Gil Goldstein etc. Kom was also honored as a recipient of the prestigious Barney Josephson Award for Outstanding Jazz Studies Masters Student and won three downbeat student awards.
Currently, Kom finished his jazz studies in Doctoral degree at University of Miami, Frost School of Music and back to teach at College of Music, Mahidol University, Thailand.
