Tom Bell's playing has been described as "invigorating" (Sunday Times), "compelling" (Organists' Review) and "brilliant" (American Record Guide). Tom has built a vibrant portfolio as a performer, teacher and animateur.

He has performed across Europe, in Australia, the Far East and the USA. Tom's recordings have been broadcast and won praise internationally. His highly acclaimed recording Freak Out! (Regent 2021), was described in The American Organist as “remarkable…a masterclass”, and in BBC Music Magazine as “in equal parts brilliant and a bit bonkers”. “Beyond dispute”, continues The American Organist, “is Bell’s grand vision of organ music.” Tom’s main focus at present is being a Dad to two young children, but he remains active as a musician (albeit functioning on a bit less sleep than previously!).

Tom pioneered the combination of organ and beatbox, performing with Shlomo on BBC Radio 3 and at the Royal Festival Hall. In May 2019 Tom participated in the first complete performance of the Orgelbüchlein Project at the Orgelpark in Amsterdam. The 164 pieces took four organists, and five organs, nine hours to perform. A similar marathon in London in 2023 received international press attention. Tom participated in a performance of Jean Guillou's nine-organ epic, La Révolte des Orgues, at Westminster Cathedral; he returned to that place in April 2022 to perform Olivier Messiaen’s last and longest organ work Livre du Saint Sacrement on the 30th anniversary of the composer’s death. He has performed the Livre on multiple occasions at venues including: Three Choirs Festival (2024, Pershore Abbey); Edinburgh Fringe (2024, St. Giles Cathedral); Salisbury Cathedral (2025); Konstantin-Basilika, Trier, Germany (2025). In 2026 performances will take place at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Buckfast Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral. Tom has a Messiaen vlog on YouTube and his film project with Fugue State Films (Messiaen’s Musical Universe, released in 2024) has been widely praised. Organists’ Review said of it that “Bell plays with clarity, passion, and always with a clear sense of thought… The music simply pours from him, as if we are hearing it fresh and clean without the unwanted weight of a performer feeling the need to impose their own personality. Bell’s focus is pure and powerful”. Another current interest concerns a study of English nineteenth century performance practice, particularly the work of W. T. Best. This project encompasses academic writings, and pure fun in his costumed quasi-steampunk The Best Experience concerts.

Tom’s students have held prestigious positions across the UK. Organist to the renowned Organworks project from 2007-2017, he continues his educational work as a Director of the Royal College of Organists. Tom was Artistic Director of the London Organ Day 2013-2026, is a patron of the Society of Women Organists and a member of the Association of Independent Organ Advisers. He was taught by Kevin Bowyer, Jacques van Oortmerssen and Ann Elise Smoot.