Tony Reedus

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

Life and work

Reedus started playing drums and soon came with his school band. Having 14 years By his uncle James Williams (former pianist of the Jazz Messengers ) suggested that he began playing jazz. He developed his ideas about the drumming during the high school years 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 wrote in 1978 in the Memphis State University. 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 an appearance at Blue 's Alley in Memphis trumpeter Woody Shaw who was present was so impressed that he asked him for an audition with him in New York. After a successful trial Reedus left the university to join Shaw's group, which included even Steve Turré, Mulgrew Miller and James Stafford. In 1981 he made ​​his recording debut on Shaw's United, continued to tour with the band of trumpet and stayed with the band until they disbanded in 1983.

Since Reedus belonged to alternating bands in the New York area and around the world, so 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 worked regularly in the band of guitarist Dave Stryker and the keyboard player and organist Mike LeDonne.

Tony Reedus recorded three albums of his own.

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

Discography

  • People Get Ready
  • Minor Thang, published in July 1996
  • Incognito
  • The Far Side
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