 “I love music so much, and love making people happy. I think music is very therapeutic. It heals people and makes them feel good. If people go to concerts and come away having a good time, grooving to the music and the beat, then we’ve done our job.”
I am starting to believe that the town of Chicago develops nothing but amazingly talented musicians. We have featured drummers, keyboardists and bass players from the windy city who have enlightened us with their experiences and talent. This month is no exception with drummer, Tony Moore.
Tony is originally from Nashville, but relocated with his family to Chicago when he was four years old. His father was a physical education teacher for 30 years and his mother was a piano teacher. Both of his parents instilled an incredible work ethic and love of education in their son. A central part of Tony’s life was church and providing music. “My mother played piano, I played drums, my brother played trombone, and my Dad and sister both sang. In church we sometimes came out as The Moore Family to perform.” Having a mother who taught piano gave Tony his foundation in learning to appreciate music, although his love of drumming began as a little kid banging on the table with forks and spoons. His mother taught him to read music and to play piano. “My mother was taught the old school way with the oak batons coming across the knuckles when you made a mistake. I didn’t like that very much! So, I switched to drums. The first year on drums, I had a guy in Chicago that taught me to read music and taught me my way around the set.”
So, Tony stuck with the drums and when he was in high school played in almost every band there was. “In high school I played in the jazz band, marching band, and concert band, which really helped my musical training. I had a really hard band director from Chicago Vocational School. He was an old school teacher who didn’t believe in sparing the rod either! After high school, I went to college at Tennessee State in Nashville, where my father and grandfather went. I was also in a pop band called Best of Friends and then joined a Drum and Bugle Corps with these older gentlemen. I would wait at the train station and they would pick me up and take me to Des Plaines, IL, about an hour away. I would practice with them and they would just wear me out! Their chops were just amazing. It was funny because they would just drink beer and practice all day! They really wore me out. I’d be saying I can’t play anymore – my arms hurt, and they’d shout back “Keep going, keep playing!” I was in an all-city jazz band, also. I have no idea how I got any school work done.”
School work did get done though; at the insistence of Tony’s mother who thought there was no way anyone can make a living as a musician. His parents wanted him to get a real job and it was always important to Tony to get his college degree, which he did. In between the gigs, the various bands, and the traveling for band competitions, Tony finished college with a degree in Industrial Arts and Technology, which is basically industrial engineering. Notes Tony, “I am very proud of that degree, but music was what I always wanted to do.”
 Tony’s music was influenced by much of the music of the time and by some of the best musicians out there. “First and foremost, I was influenced by my Mom. But then quickly came influences like Harvey Mason, Omar Hakim, and Tony Williams. I liked these guys because they all had different styles. They were never pigeon-holed into one type of music. That’s what inspired me.”
Tony began his professional career in his third year of college touring with the Bobby Jones Gospel Show. That would prove to be a good foundation for the life ahead touring with many terrific smooth jazz artists. “My longest relationship has been with Gerald Albright. I have been touring with Gerald for eight years now and it has been such a great time.” When asked about that relationship, Gerald Albright said, “I've had the pleasure of having Tony Moore in my band for many years. He's one of the most reliable and stable drummers I've ever worked with. I've always been able to rely on him for a great work ethic, great tempo and sensitivity, and being a team player....what a joy to have him as part of my musical family." Tony is also currently playing with Down to the Bone and has played with Bobby Lyle, Boney James, Jeff Lorber, Michael Lington, Paul Taylor, Everette Harp, and Doc Powell. Missing from that list are Herbie Hancock and Sting; two people that Tony would love to have the opportunity to play with someday.
What lies ahead for this drummer? “More writing and producing for other musicians,” says Tony. He and best buddy, keyboardist Tim Gant, have been working together on producing and hope to continue that into the future. One of the most notable songs they contributed was “Daddy-O” for trumpeter, Rick Braun. When not touring, writing or producing, Tony can be found just chilling with friends, going to movies or actually finding the time to enjoy other musicians’ concerts.
Fans of Tony Moore’s continue to look forward to all that he brings to every show. So, watch for this terrific drummer at the next smooth jazz concert you attend and be sure to check the liner notes of your CDs. You never know when his writing and production will pop up on your favorite CD.
- Bonnie Schendell |
