Tony Moore

Jazz / R&B / Soul / Gospel / Latin

Bio

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." 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. Tony is 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.

Teaching Philosophy

"My teaching style focuses on a real-world approach which has to include a firm foundation in the basics before moving to more advanced studies. My goal is to prepare students with all the tools they'll need to be successful musicians in the music world. The main job of the drummer is to KEEP THE TIME and everything else should build around that main principle. I find a way to challenge my students so they want to conquer one discipline before they move to the next but in a fun and interesting way that also helps each student to develop his own signature sound. To be a professional drummer you have to have your own sound and create your own niche in the marketplace."