Such a tragic loss. I met “Tony” (as he was known then) at the University of Miami in 1994. He was a freshman and I was a senior. He was only there for one semester, but when he showed up he just demolished everyone. He sounded like a seasoned pro already, and already had achieved the mastery we all knew him for.
He also had absolutely NO ego and only had nice things to say about people (he also spoke in perfect jazz “lingo”, using words and phrases no one around him knew).
Anthony was such a warm gentle soul and the quintessential “guy on the scene”. Such a great hang, and man, what a motherfucker.
My favorite hang in NYC with him was when he gave me a (terrifying) ride home after a gig blasting Van Halen, singing all the lyrics and air drumming all the fills note for note.
I’m saddened to hear this news, but thank you for sharing Vinnie, since I was not aware. I wish I could’ve seen/heard him up close in the hip NYC clubs but I live near Winston-Salem, NC; however I have often watched him via YouTube on a weekly basis for several months last couple of years (thankfully since the videos were capturing the action) - gigs at Smalls & Mezzrow. I will definitely miss seeing him especially since I’m a jazz drummer as well.
Thank you for listing all of the interesting info about his background, w/ recordings, which I will enjoy.
Great photo above – George can't help himself because he is always smiling. This is a lovely tribute, Vinnie. It can be so hard to write with tears in your eyes but your love for Anthony the person and the musician come shining through!
great drummer! i am sorry he died so suddenly.. i only saw him on smalls live, but really enjoyed watching him play. i was mystified that he died, as he seemed young.. nor did i know he had played on these recordings, but listening to homage now... great recording! thanks vinnie for all this...
Such a tragic loss. I met “Tony” (as he was known then) at the University of Miami in 1994. He was a freshman and I was a senior. He was only there for one semester, but when he showed up he just demolished everyone. He sounded like a seasoned pro already, and already had achieved the mastery we all knew him for.
He also had absolutely NO ego and only had nice things to say about people (he also spoke in perfect jazz “lingo”, using words and phrases no one around him knew).
Anthony was such a warm gentle soul and the quintessential “guy on the scene”. Such a great hang, and man, what a motherfucker.
My favorite hang in NYC with him was when he gave me a (terrifying) ride home after a gig blasting Van Halen, singing all the lyrics and air drumming all the fills note for note.
Beautiful memory Greg..
I’m saddened to hear this news, but thank you for sharing Vinnie, since I was not aware. I wish I could’ve seen/heard him up close in the hip NYC clubs but I live near Winston-Salem, NC; however I have often watched him via YouTube on a weekly basis for several months last couple of years (thankfully since the videos were capturing the action) - gigs at Smalls & Mezzrow. I will definitely miss seeing him especially since I’m a jazz drummer as well.
Thank you for listing all of the interesting info about his background, w/ recordings, which I will enjoy.
Great photo above – George can't help himself because he is always smiling. This is a lovely tribute, Vinnie. It can be so hard to write with tears in your eyes but your love for Anthony the person and the musician come shining through!
great drummer! i am sorry he died so suddenly.. i only saw him on smalls live, but really enjoyed watching him play. i was mystified that he died, as he seemed young.. nor did i know he had played on these recordings, but listening to homage now... great recording! thanks vinnie for all this...