Tony Jefferson, a New York native, attended the Berklee College of Music on scholarship in 1984
and placed third in the Thelonious Monk International Drum Competition in 1992. Tony has
performed and recorded with many jazz artists including: Kenny Drew Jr., Lonnie Smith,
Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Eddie Harris, Don Friedman, Cyrus Chestnut, Mark Whitfield,
Jerry Bergonzi, Joey Calderazzo, Freddy Cole, Hank Jones, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton,
Nancy King, Ernestine Anderson, Annie Ross and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra.
Tony has appeared at many jazz festivals around the world and is an active player on the New York
jazz scene. He has been a guest clinician in high school and college workshops and has taught masters
classes nationally and abroad.
After 20 years as a world class drummer on the jazz scene, Tony Jefferson has segued into the world of singing.
His diverse experience as a drummer and his passion for woodwinds led him to explore musical realms
that inform his approach to singing.
Some of Tony’s recent vocal performances have been: The Kitano Hotel in New York City,
The Princeton Jazz Festival in New Jersey, Storm King Art Center, NY, The Dobbs Ferry Summer
Music Festival, NY and the Hopper House in Nyack, NY. Tony has stepped out from behind the drums
to sing as a guest vocalist at the Iridium and the Blue Note Jazz clubs in Manhattan.
“Not only is Tony a wonderful drummer, he is also a wonderful singer with a very original sound.”
~Sheila Jordan
“I've had the pleasure of listening to Tony Jefferson's vocal tracks, and I was thoroughly
entertained with his effortless swing and attractive tone quality."
~Marion Cowings
and placed third in the Thelonious Monk International Drum Competition in 1992. Tony has
performed and recorded with many jazz artists including: Kenny Drew Jr., Lonnie Smith,
Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Eddie Harris, Don Friedman, Cyrus Chestnut, Mark Whitfield,
Jerry Bergonzi, Joey Calderazzo, Freddy Cole, Hank Jones, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton,
Nancy King, Ernestine Anderson, Annie Ross and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra.
Tony has appeared at many jazz festivals around the world and is an active player on the New York
jazz scene. He has been a guest clinician in high school and college workshops and has taught masters
classes nationally and abroad.
After 20 years as a world class drummer on the jazz scene, Tony Jefferson has segued into the world of singing.
His diverse experience as a drummer and his passion for woodwinds led him to explore musical realms
that inform his approach to singing.
Some of Tony’s recent vocal performances have been: The Kitano Hotel in New York City,
The Princeton Jazz Festival in New Jersey, Storm King Art Center, NY, The Dobbs Ferry Summer
Music Festival, NY and the Hopper House in Nyack, NY. Tony has stepped out from behind the drums
to sing as a guest vocalist at the Iridium and the Blue Note Jazz clubs in Manhattan.
“Not only is Tony a wonderful drummer, he is also a wonderful singer with a very original sound.”
~Sheila Jordan
“I've had the pleasure of listening to Tony Jefferson's vocal tracks, and I was thoroughly
entertained with his effortless swing and attractive tone quality."
~Marion Cowings
