40 Under Forty: Tom Lubelczyk, 39

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of the 2018 WBJ 40 Under Forty award (from left): Alexis Kelleher, Erin Jansky, Bonnie J. Walker and Tom Lubelczyk.

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Co-founder & CEO

The Worcester Jazz Collective

Lives: Worcester

Birthplace: Falmouth

College: UMass Lowell

Lubelczyk's greatest accomplishments at Worcester Jazz Collective aren't the three Worcester Music Awards won, but rather the hundreds – if not thousands – of connections he's made while playing music for Central Massachusetts over the last 20 years. He's worked to bring together as many of the current generation of jazz musicians in Worcester as possible, and that group has won the Worcester Music Awards nod for Best Jazz Act in each of the last three years. The WJC can accommodate any kind of request to perform, thanks to Lubelczyk's business model of having two to three permanent musicians and letting others join for any given gig. The group has played at venues as small as The Queen's Cups in the Canal District to larger events like the annual Harvey Ball. Lubelczyk, a Cape Cod native, has fallen in love with the city, particular its music scene. As such, his musical expertise is often donated in raffles or at charity events for free music lessons or free performances. He wears many different hats as a musician, as he plays in several groups, including The Carlos Odria Trio, Insincere Gentlemen and Fergus, the latter of which had performed for former President Bill Clinton. You can catch him hosting the monthly jazz jam at Millbury Street jazz bar Nick's.

From 40 Under Forty judge Kate Sharry: “An unsung hero in Worcester's music scene, Tom is lighting things up with his talent and keen business sense. He is a huge contributor to our cultural arts community!”

If you could go on a road trip with any four people, who would it be? George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The last couple of years have really left my head spinning, and a nice long road trip with these guys might answer some questions I have.

Whose career would you most like to emulate? Bob Ross. The man became an American icon by simply encouraging people to explore their creativity.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled the name of the The Carlos Odria Trio.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.