Me and Tom Hynes
Thomas “Tom” Patrick Hynes, Sr. Obituary
Thomas Patrick Hynes Sr., lovingly known as Tom, passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Tom quickly discovered a passion for music that never faltered. He carried that passion across the country, finally landing in Kentucky, where he dedicated his life to giving the gift of music to hundreds of students until his final days. He was a one-man tour that never took an off-day.
From an early age, it was clear Tom had no choice but to follow a song, leading to a remarkable career as both a performer and a teacher. He dazzled audiences in the burgeoning Jazz scene of Wisconsin, where he developed life-long friendships and proved himself on-stage with legends of the genre. If you knew Jazz, you knew Tom Hynes could play.
As Tom’s focus shifted to arranging and composing, he also discovered a deep love of teaching. He then spent 30 years in Kentucky, creating a lasting community of music lovers one lesson at a time.
The most important composition in Tom’s life was his family. With his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Rilla, and three children, Thomas, Janelle, and Janette, he composed a lifetime of shared moments and melodies. Together, they created a home where music was found around every corner, with saxophone reeds leveling tables and clarinet cork patching leaks.
Tom’s life was one of continuous discovery, learning, and growth. Like all the best Jazz musicians, he understood that life is full of improvisation—and no one could improvise like him.
Tom is survived by his wife, Rilla Hynes; his three children, Thomas Hynes, Janelle Goss, and Janette Watkins; his brothers, Pat Hynes, Mike Hynes, and John Hynes; his sister, Jenny Sullivan; and his mother, Jean Hynes.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas F. Hynes.
Me and musician Tommy Hynes
Tom and Rilla Hynes
You cross paths, if you are fortunate, with those of intense creative genius. Those who are willing to reach out and bring you within their orbit. Tom and Rilla Hynes are such people and brought me into their music. We performed together and I wrote lyrics which we sang to Tom’s jazz compositions. When I began to write musicals, I came to Tom and Rilla for the first arrangements (“Jubilee Barndance” and “Tower by the Thames”).
Over the years I recorded some of our live performances. Most are posted on my Vimeo Video site under “Reggie Van Stockum.” Search within my site for “Hynes.” Reginald Bareham is the name of my English grandfather.
What follows are some links that will get you there immediately!
Tom and Tommy Hynes playing Tom’s original music, “Tango for Django,” at the Reginald Bareham New Year’s Show at the Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, Kentucky on December 31, 2013. Tom Hynes on lead guitar and Tommy Hynes on rhythm guitar.
Tom and Tommy Hynes playing their original music at the Reginald Bareham New Year’s Show at the Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, Kentucky on December 31, 2013. Tom Hynes on rhythm guitar and Tommy Hynes on lead guitar.
Original music from composer Tom Hynes (Seven) and lyricist Reggie Van Stockum (Paso del Norte) at the Shelby County Community Theater, Shelbyville, Kentucky, on November 18, 2017. With Lynne McReynolds Chenault and Reggie Van Stockum on vocals, Paul woods on drums, Mason Daugherty on bass, Rilla Hynes on saxophones, David clement on trombone and Tom Hynes on guitar and saxophones.
“River Nights,” a a history of Kentucky written by Reggie Van Stockum in 1980. With Tom Hynes on guitar, Paul Woods on drums and Reggie on vocals at the Harvest Coffee and Cafe in Shelbyville, Kentucky on March 19, 2016.
The Reginald Bareham Big Band playing “Hispaniola,” an original song by Reggie Van Stockum at the Bard’s Town Resturaunt, Bar and Theater in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday night, November 11, 2016. Tommy Hynes on soprano sax, Kim Ritchey on lead guitar, Steve Eilers on drums, Paul Woods on percussion, Mike Williams on bass and Reggie Van Stockum on rhythm guitar and vocals.
Merry Christmas from the “Streets of Paris.” Written and played by Tommy Hynes. Written and sung Reggie Van Stockum. Part of the 2020 Shelby County Community Theatre’s “Home for the Holidays” video, produced and directed by David King and Clint Gill.
Tom Hynes on Jazz guitar, with Reggie Van Stockum on vocals, performing “Silly Girls,” an original song (music by Hynes/ lyrics by Van Stockum) at the 17th Annual Lawlapalooza at the Mercury Ballroom on 4th Street in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 13, 2017.
Melinda Mathis Hardin sings “Butterfly,” an 1973 original song by Reggie Van Stockum at the Lettersong Gallery in Butchertown, Louisville, Kentucky, on September 17, 2016 with Tom Hynes on sax and Steve Eilers on drums.
Reggie Van Stockum on vocals and guitar, with Tom Hynes soprano saxophone, performing a Van Stockum original song entitled “Gates of Nineveh” at the 17th Annual Lawlapalooza. At the Mercury Ballroom on 4th Street in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 13, 2017.
“Let’s Go Dancing!” Original music by Tom Hynes, lyrics by Reggie Van Stockum, vocal interpretation by Lynne Chenault and percussion by Paul Woods. Performed at the Harvest Coffee and Cafe in Shelbyville, Kentucky on Monday evening, December, 28, 2015.
Lynne Chenault singing Reginald Bareham’s ” Tomorrow Today” at the Reginald Bareham New Year’s Show at the Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, Kentucky on December 31, 2013. Lynne McReynolds Chenault on vocals, Tom Hynes on soprano sax, and Reginald Bareham on rhythm guitar.
Tom and Tommy Hynes playing their original music at the Reginald Bareham New Year’s Show at the Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, Kentucky on December 31, 2013. Tom Hynes on alto sax and Tommy Hines on rhythm guitar.
“Reginald Bareham Presents” a show at the Shelby County Community Theater in Shelbyville, Kentucky on November 11, 2017. With Reggie Van Stockum on guitar and vocals, Melinda Hardin, Cyndi Skellie, Faith Muller, Brian Sweeney and Jeanette Hicks on harmony vocals, Mason Daugherty on bass, Paul Woods on drums, Brian Ginn on snare, Dan Crutcher on guitar, Sara Bond on fiddle, Michael Schroeder on mandolin, Stephen Pobst on banjo, David Clement on trombone, Rilla Hynes on tenor sax, and Tom Hynes on soprano sax.
Reggie Van Stockum singing his song, “Patterns Out of Time” at Lewis Mathis’ 6th Street Live in Shelbyville, Kentucky, on Saturday evening, September, 14, 2013. Joseph Vance on Lead Guitar, Tom Hynes on Sax, Lewis Mathis on Drums, Melinda Mathis Hardin on Harmony Vocals and Reggie Van Stockum on rhythm guitar and vox.
The Reginald Bareham Band playing a Reggie Van Stockum original song, “Cairo,” at the Little Colonel Playhouse in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, on Derby Eve, 2014. Tom Hynes on lead guitar, Brian Ginn on percussion, Little Lynne Chenault on vocals, David Clement on trombone and Reggie Van Stockum on rhythm guitar.
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“Ken and Sheila,” a song written and sung by Reggie Van Stockum, Lynne McReynolds Chenault , Cyndi Powell Skellie, Faith Matthews Muller, and Jeanette Hicks on vocals, Michael Schroeder on mandolin, Paul woods on drums, Brian Ginn on snare, Mason Daugherty on bass, Sara Bonds on fiddle, Stephen Pobst on banjo,Tom and Rilla Hynes on saxophones and David Clement on trombone. At the Shelby County Community Theater in Shelbyville, Kentucky, November 18, 2017.
The Reginald Bareham Band playing a 1971 Reggie Van Stockum original song, “Pioneer,” at the Grand Opening of the new Filson Historical Society Building along the “Forum Romanum” in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 29, 2016. Tom Hynes on sax and lead guitar, Brian Ginn on Percussion and Reggie Van Stockum on vocals and rhythm guitar.
“Last Day,” or “Death of a Beloved One, ” a song written in 1972 and performed by Reggie Van Stockum with Lynne McReynolds Chenault and Melinda Mathis Hardin on vocals, Tom Hynes on soprano sax, and Sarah Bonds on violin. At the Shelby County Community Theater in Shelbyville, Kentucky, November 18, 2017.
Musicals
You can hear Tom Hynes on your favorite streaming service playing his arrangements for the two new musicals “Jubilee Barndance” and “Tower by the Thames,” for which I wrote the music. Search for “Reggie Van Stockum” and click on the appropriate music title provided.
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1 Comment
Brian Ginn
February 2, 2025 at 11:03 amI remember him well.