Tony's journey into the world of music commenced rather unexpectedly when he was just seven years old. On Christmas morning, his mom presented him with a Texaco electric guitar, which initially left him feeling disheartened as he had hoped for more conventional toys. Unbeknownst to Tony, his mother held grand aspirations for his musical talents. Not long after, fate intervened when he strolled past a neighbor's house, where a guitarist named Stanley, a member of "The Trouble Band," was immersed in a captivating performance. Intrigued by the melodies, Tony rushed back home to retrieve his guitar, which piqued Stanley's interest. Stanley generously offered to become Tony's mentor. Over the ensuing months, Tony dedicated himself to honing his guitar skills, ultimately reaching exceptional proficiency. He soon found himself gracing the stage at his local church, and shortly after that, another congregation recognized his extraordinary talent and enlisted him.
At 13, Tony embarked on his maiden venture, assembling a band christened "The Danger Band." This ensemble specialized in covering tracks by legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Ohio Players, and various classic rock and funk bands. Tony performed at banquet halls and local events throughout his teenage and early adult years. As he reached the milestone of 30, Tony established a new musical group called "Last Call." Fast forward to age 37, and Tony formed the band he presently leads, one that effortlessly traverses the genres of R&B, Funk, Rock, Pop, and Jazz.
In the decades that followed, Tony's band graced renowned stages like Baker's Keyboard Lounge, Bert's Place, Aretha's Jazz Café, Duo's, Gina's Jazz & Soul, Club Network, Andiamo, The Sand Bar, The Detroit Princess Cruise Ship, and performed at illustrious festivals such as Arts Beats & Eats, The Dream Cruise, Winterblast, and The Ribs and R&B Music Festival. In 2019, "New Strategy" had the honor of opening for national acts like Cameo, The Ohio Players, Peter White, and Tim Bowman. Then, in 2022, Tony's musical journey took him across states like Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, and Alabama as he assumed the role of guitarist for former Four Tops singer Ronnie McNair.
Tony's musical career is marked by two released CDs and a repertoire of 20 recorded songs, showcasing his remarkable versatility across guitar, keyboards, and drums. His deepest passion lies in the world of Jazz, as it allows for a unique form of intimacy with the audience, enabling him to communicate and engage with them through the eloquent notes he coaxes from his guitar. To Tony, Jazz is more than a genre; it's a conversation. Among his latest musical creations, "Latin Afro" is a masterpiece. This single artfully blends Jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms, producing a mesmerizing and magical auditory experience.
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