The amazing and seemingly unlimited assortment of music in New Orleans added to what he learned at the University of New Orleans. He graduated from the prestigious Jazz studies program there, studying with Ellis Marsalis, Harold Battiste, Steve Masakowski, David Lee, and Charles Blanq, and working privately with John Vidacovich. He played around the Crescent City, sampling everything from Jazz to Rock and Roll, Funk, Blues, World Beat, Latin, Zydeco, Cajun and Punk.
Larson's next geographic move was to Nashville - Music City USA. Since arriving in 1996, he has become an in-demand session player, and become a part of the diverse of Music City scene (no, it's not all country in Nashville). He has worked or recorded with Nashville bands Delicious Blues Stew, Gene Haffner Trio, Swing Thing, Three Corners, David Bennett, David Frazier, Homemade Water, Michael Ripoll, Steven Hunter and Blues Other Brothers. Homemade Water was officially recognized in the highly competitive Music City music scene as one of the "best new bands," with a unique sound absent the traditional drummer, driven instead by Larson's powerful percussion. The band made a trip to the Middle East to entertain U.S. troops there in 2000. Unfortunately, the band members have since decided to go their separate ways.

Tom met his wife in the Music City during a Mardi Gras gig, somehow appropriate since she hails from Louisiana. In the last couple years, he has recorded several solo albums, working on his own sound, in addition to appearing on numerous other artists' projects. He has been a part of a blues education workshop with internationally recognized educators Shannon Williford and James "Nick" Nixon, also providing a percussion workshop for the city parks department. He was named Music City Blues Drummer of the Year in 2001, and Percussionist of the Year in both 2001 and 2002.

Diversity and grace - those qualities define Tom Larson's style.