Tony Reedus

September 22, 1959 – November 16, 2008

Instrument drums
Birthplace Memphis, TN

Available Leadsheets

Tony Reedus was a dynamic, animated drummer who was in demand with some of the greatest jazz masters. After a musical upbringing in the church, he first gained notoriety in the early 1980s as a member of Woody Shaw's band. It only took a matter of time for the buzz on Reedus to prosper.

He began in the NYC scene with the likes of Kenny Garrett, Joe Lovano, Jim Snidero, Joe Magnarelli, Mike DiRubbo, Steve Davis, Mike LeDonne, Bill Mobley, the Stryker/Slagle Band and Paula West. He recorded four albums on his own name for Jazz City and Enja in the '80s and '90s. His session work contains recordings with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, saxophonists Benny Golson and Kenny Garrett, and pianists Mulgrew Miller, Harold Mabern, and Tony's uncle, James Williams. He recorded on over one hundred albums in his lifetime.

He toured extensively throughout North America and Europe. He managed to still receive his B.A. in music from Rutgers University in 2005. He passed away from a pulmonary embolism after a tour in Italy at the age of 49.