Tony Reedus

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Tony Reedus (born September 22, 1959 in Memphis , Tennessee , † November 16, 2008 in New York City ) was an American jazz drummer with a balanced, powerfully driving style.

Live and act

Reedus began playing drums at the age of 14 and soon afterwards with his school band. Stimulated by his uncle James Williams (former Jazz Messengers pianist ), he began to play jazz . He developed his ideas about drumming while in high school and by studying the styles of his idols such as Chick Webb , Art Blakey , Louis Hayes , Max Roach , Elvin Jones , Tony Williams, and Victor Lewis .

Reedus enrolled at Memphis State University in 1978 . At the same time he worked in local jazz clubs with saxophonist Herman Green and many other musicians from Memphis. During this time he also played with the likes of Milt Jackson , Slide Hampton and Frank Foster . During a performance at Blue's Alley , Memphis, trumpeter Woody Shaw was so impressed that he asked him to audition with him in New York. After a successful attempt, Reedus left college to join Shaw's group, which also included Steve Turré , Mulgrew Miller, and Stafford James. In 1981 he made his first recording on Shaws United , continued touring with the band des Trompeters ( Basel 1980 , Live in Bremen 1983 ) and stayed with the band until they broke up in 1983.

Since then Reedus has belonged to changing bands in the New York area and worldwide, such as the Mercer Ellington Orchestra, Art Farmer , Bobby Hutcherson , Freddie Hubbard , Kenny Garrett , Mulgrew Miller, George Coleman , Benny Golson , Joe Lovano , Phineas Newborn and many others. In recent years he has worked regularly in the band of guitarist Dave Stryker and with keyboardist and organist Mike LeDonne .

Tony Reedus recorded three of his own albums.

He died of a pulmonary embolism on the way to hospital after collapsing at the airport on returning from a concert in Italy.

Discography

  • People get ready
  • Minor Thang , published July 1996
  • Incognito
  • The Far Side

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Reedus, Tony
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz drummer
DATE OF BIRTH September 22, 1959
PLACE OF BIRTH Memphis , USA
DATE OF DEATH November 16, 2008
Place of death New York City