Patch Chat With Tom Humbert

Tom Humbert, a Garden City and Shinnecock Hills resident, is a composer, singer, actor and musician who captured the timeless beauty of a “special moment” with his daughter the only way he knows how - through song.

With a little bit of luck and faith the song “Christmastime Is Here” has resulted in a warm and moving Christmas video.

One Christmas, as Humbert’s daughter Diana, who was six at the time, descended down a flight of stairs he glanced at her and was taken by her innocence and beauty. He immediately grabbed a piece of paper and penned the song.

“Gifts like that don’t happen all the time,” shared Humbert. "'Have you ever seen an angel?’ just came to mind. I was done 15 minutes later.”

Though the song was written five years ago, Humbert felt that the time was right to debut it. 

“I wanted to put out something fresh and new for Christmas,” added Humbert.

Humbert, a liturgy and music director for 25 years, has had lead roles in more than 50 musical theatre productions, toured the U.S. and sang at the White House but had never made a music video. Fortunately, the logistics of the video came into place quite seamlessly. 

Director Freddy Esposito, of Elevation Management, who had seen Humbert perform, suggested the video for the song. Esposito felt that the lyrics sent a true message of Christmas. Casting turned out to be as easy as the girl next door. Six-year old Olivia Frankel, who plays the little girl, is a neighbor.

The video conjures the warmth of home, family and love with a spiritual slant along with elements that anyone can relate to regardless of their religious persuasion.

“It does seem as though it was meant to be,” said Humbert. 

The video and song were released Dec. 12 and have already garnered more than 1,000 views on iTunes.

Humbert currently serves as director of music for St. Rosalie's in Hampton Bays is married and is the father of two girls who appear in the video. He has a new CD being released Dec. 20 called "Closer to the Heart of God.” 

Radio station WLNG serving Eastern Long Island and the Hamptons has played the song on their station. Radio host Bob Aldrich heard the song on a listener’s Facebook page and found a comforting message in light of the recent Newton, CT shootings which has left the entire country with a heavy heart. Aldrich advised that the song had a more religious tone than they would ordinarily play but the song did strike a chord.

Fittingly the lyrics ask, “Have you ever seen an angel? I’ve never seen an angel. Some people say you’ll see them if you try.”

It is comforting to Humbert to think the lyrics can bring solace to those who lost an angel and to the rest of us who can’t imagine losing our own angels.

“Christmastime Is Here” is available on iTunes. To purchase CDs visit www.CDBaby.com or for further information visit www.TomHumbertRainbowRoomJazz.com.