Tom Kastle

Tom Kastle has been a singer and folk musician for decades, traveling the world, collecting and performing maritime songs and stories, and captaining sailing ships on the Great Lakes. These days, Tom lives in Madison and his passions are even more diverse and include a recording of original songs based mostly on traditional fiddle tunes, film projects like Francisco Torres’ Delight In the Mountain, with Richard Riehle and Tom Wopat, an opera role, and television where he hosted a short documentary on the Bicentennial Battle of Lake Erie that was nominated for an Emmy Award. Add in some musical director and composer credits, and recent theatrical roles ranging from musicals to Shakespeare, playing a political pundit with the legendary Ed Asner in God Help Us! and a one man play based on the life of Joe Hill and you have an artist living a vivid life, indeed! “

“What do you say about a guy who can command a tall ship and all her crew, whose songs can make an Irishman cry tears of pure Tullamore Dew?”  — Bryan Bowers

With his solo recording and original songs, Tom Kastle shows further dimensions to his talent and range of material. His resonant voice, heartfelt lyrics, and solid instrumentation proves he is a more “grounded” talent, as capable as writing about the open road as he is about the open waters.” — Lilli Kuzma: Folk Festival WDCB-FM Radio

Selected Performances

Mystic Seaport

San Francisco Maritime National Park

International Shanties Festival Workum, The Netherlands

Shanties, Krakow Poland

New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland, New Zealand

Tall Ships Festivals: Chicago, Newport, Los Angeles, Galveston, Cleveland, Erie, Duluth, and others

Sea Music Classes and Workshops at The Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL and The North House Folk School, Grand Marais, MN

Co-founder of the Chicago Maritime Festival presenting music from around the world for 13 years  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcda7u-1AkA

Producer and host of the podcast Sullivan Stories featuring the stories of the crew of the schooner Denis Sullivan. Listen to all episodes via https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sullivan-stories-84728420/