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Through the recent completion of The Tony White Project which is self-described by its creator as “a labor of love,” Tony White has achieved both a personal and professional plateau of performance. This first release, The Tony White Project dovetails a personal and professional journey for White who is both a product and producer of the musical talent inherent in the greater Los Angeles area.
White’s journey began as a student at Charles Drew Middle School under the tutelage of Fran Herman. It was here where his talent for music was first nurtured and culled and to where he would later return to do similar service for students in Los Angeles’ urban corridor.
White studied music at The University of California, Riverside, where he performed in the jazz studies program adding soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute and the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) to his arsenal of instruments. It was during his college years that he began performing in groups ranging from pop to rock to hip hop to Latin jazz. As such, no specific genre of music waylays or restricts White’s creativity, though jazz is his first love: “Creating great music is my objective when performing in any style” says White.
White returned to Fremont High in the early 90’s to build a truly comprehensive music program that would serve to expose and educate students, like himself a decade earlier, who most certainly had no other outlet to explore the formal technical aspects of music education and appreciation. His student musicians gained exposure and experience performing at such storied venues as the Playboy Jazz Festival, Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, and the Pantages Theater. Under White’s direction, they were also able to perform with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Plas Johnson, Poncho Sanchez and Justo Almario.
As an educator, White has received accolades as a Bravo Award Finalist and Fulfillment Fund recipient for his work in music education; he is also a UC Riverside Chancellor Award recipient and a Humanitarian Award winner from the Omni Youth Music Awards.
White’s career as a musician has helped inform his teaching and practice. By studying with the likes of Buddy Collette, Gerald Wilson, Billy Mitchell, John Stephens, Bill Green, Dr. Art Davis, John Ehlis, Jose Arellano, Al Viola, Bobby Rodriguez, The LA Mambo Combo, and East Los Angeles Sax Quartet among others, White has developed into a full-fledged musician in his own right.
The Tony White Project, produced by legendary pianist and educator, Billy Mitchell, offers different musical renditions and approaches to standard jazz tunes such as “Little Sunflower”, “Equinox”, and “Cold Duck Time”, White has revealed and unleashed his own jazz style upon jazz enthusiasts.
White continues his work as a free-lance saxophonist in the greater Los Angeles area where he resides with his wife Kia and their children, Nikos and Sarah. Tony continues to fine tune his skills as an artist, educator and advocate for all music in Los Angeles and beyond.
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