There are certain aspects about Crofton resident Tom Lagana that put him in the same company as many other local musicians.

   He lugs his guitar around with him to five or six gigs a week at area bars, spends countless hours honing his talent, and works hard to promote his jazz band’s first album, "Patuxent."

    The only difference is that he and the other members of his group don't personify the "struggling artist" cliche that so many musicians do.  His album is already being played across the nation.

       "I feel very fortunate," said the 32-year-old, who wrote all 11 songs, on the album. "I'm very happy to be able to put the record on the national airwaves."  The album has reached the 32nd spot on the National Jazz Airplay Chart after four of its songs were played 291 times last week around the country.

    Cities like Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans, Houston and Honolulu just to name a few, are spinning “Patuxent.” 

    “It's done quite well for, a new guy out of the box," said Mike Hurzon, owner of the Tracking Station, a radio promotion company based in Miami.

    Mr. Lagana hired Mr. Hurzon a couple of weeks ago to promote his music to U.S. radio stations. 

    "Patuxent" is keeping good company on the charts, where most of the other artists are national acts with major record label contracts.

    Mr. Lagana hopes this success will turn a few record executives heads.  He has also been sending copies of his, album to them.

    "I hope to be distributed in a couple of weeks," he said. "I feel we're knocking on the door as far as that’s concerned."

    Still, his group has been on the charts for two weeks and no one has come calling.

    “It’s an amazing thing and a frustrating thing," he said. But he's happy with the way his career is going, and especially happy with the album’s success.

    He describes it as an eclectic mix of traditional jazz, folk and rock music, all with an Afro-Cuban style.

    Currently, Mr. Lagana is playing five or six days a week with the Tom Lagana Trio, an abridged version of the group that recorded the album.

     The full quintet will be back Sept. 27 on the main stage at the Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis. Tickets are on sale now at any Ticketmaster location or at the Ram’s Head box office.  Their previous show at the West Street bar in January sold out.

    Although the group is named after Mr. Lagana, who graduated from Boston's Berklee College of Music in 1992, he's quick to point out that much of the credit for the album's success belongs to the other band members.       "This is my group, it's my songs, but I don't like to think of it as a solo project. They have been invaluable to me in the studio," he said.

    Todd Harrison, who plays drums and percussion, believes Mr. Lagana has what it takes to take the band even further.

     “He's interested in making the music as good as it can be.  He's' definitely interested in getting better.  He's still a real hungry musician, like we all should be," Mr. Harrison said.

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