Tony White is a composer, arranger and producer.
He plays all the Saxophones, Flutes, Clarinets, Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drums and a
bit of Trombone too.
Tony grew up in the suburbs of New York City and comes from the same
hometown as the famous Jerry Seinfeld, and the infamous, Amy Fisher, all from
the town of Massapequa NY.
“The earliest sounds I remember hearing were Louis Armstrong's Trumpet,
Frank Sinatra’s voice, Duke Ellington's band and The Beatles.
My father, a drummer and a fine harmonica player, had a great influence on me
along with Jazz icons, Buddy Rich, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Count Basie,
Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Louis Armstrong and Benny
Goodman.
My mother listened to WNEW-AM all day playing the best vocalists and big
bands translating the Great American Songbook. Dad’s drums were always out at
family gatherings and there were always jam sessions and sing alongs. Music was
and still is the central thread in mine and my family's lives.
My brother is an accomplished Pianist & Vocalist who has toured the world and
he currently teaches voice at NYU in New York City.”
It was at one of these family jam sessions Tony first heard a cousin, who had
played in the great Glenn Miller Band, play Dixieland Clarinet.
Tony was sold on the clarinet and started studying it at the age of 8. He showed a
great proficiency for the instrument and while studying the classical clarinet
literature he collected high honors and awards along the way .
Tony is featured in WOM Newsletter #7
Tony’s education includes studying with some great musicians including
Saxophonist’s Jerry Bergonzi & Andy McGhee, Clarinetist Joseph Genna and
possesses degrees from The Berklee School of Music in Boston
MA and U.C.L.A. where he studied film composition.
“At Berklee I was very lucky to connect with some fellow musicians who have all
gone on to great success including Guitarist Steve Vai of Frank Zappa),
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and Bassist, innovator, Michael
Mannring. Michael was the bassist in the first group I first toured with out of
Berklee.”
More information about Tony White