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Anthony Wonsey

Chicago native Anthony Wonsey is one of the most innovative jazz pianists on the planet. His dynamic compositions and imaginative arrangements make him a much in demand player internationally. Anthony’s introduction to music began at a young age via the influence of his mother Darlene, a classically trained pianist, lessons from trumpeter Zilner Randolph,( musical director for Louis Armstrong’s band) and many moments in his family’s basement with his father Anthony, a Chicago postal worker/jazz fan who schooled his son, via a staticky AM radio, on the music he loved.

His progression flourished, resulting in a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. While a student, he played locally with Roy Hargrove and Antonio Hart; toured with Kenny Garrett and Nneena Freelon, followed by a staggering move when recruited by the legendary drummer Elvin Jones to join his group. Wonsey relocated from Boston to NYC and played with Jones’ Jazz Machine for five years. Mulgrew Miller and James Williams also became mentors.

“Anthony Wonsey’s touch on the piano is second to none.” Nicholas Payton, GRAMMY® Award winning trumpeter

With his name now established as a hard bop/post-bop force, Wonsey commenced a multi-decade run as a pianist who toured and recorded with Wallace Roney, Nicholas Payton, Vincent Herring, and Chico Freeman.

“All Anthony has to do is look at a piano and it starts swinging. Soulfulness and musical virtuosity.” Ron Savage, Dean of Berklee College of Music, Professional Performance Division.

His first album as a leader was Anthonyolgy, followed by Blues for Hiroshi, and The Thang. He played solo concerts in Argentina and Italy. His unique sound generated sessions and live dates. Over the years he’s played with Jeremy Pelt, Charles Tolliver, Louis Hayes, Clark Terry, Russell Malone, Donald Harrison, Carmen Lundy, and Phil Woods.

“Anthony is the rare class of pianist that not only sounds great but feels great to play with. If that is old school, I don’t wanna be new!” Jeremy Pelt.

The pandemic hit musicians as hard as anyone. Clubs were closed, touring was restricted, playing with others was limited. Anthony Wonsey didn’t recluse. He assembled a session for a recording date that resulted in his newest album: Lorraine’s Lullaby. Produced by Jeremy Pelt, the album, released in early November, is a meditative but swinging collection of inspired originals and deftly arranged standards.

“When I think of the phrase ''it takes a village to raise a child,'' I often think of my music training and all of the great musicians and people I have come across throughout the years.

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Liner Notes

Anthony Wonsey: The Thang

Read "Anthony Wonsey: The Thang" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


Wisdom, it is often said, comes with age and experience. This axiom has special relevance for those who pursue excellence in the arts. Whether painters, dancers, or composers, the true creators have found that it takes time and patience to develop a singular voice. Youth seems to bring with it a desire to put technique at the fore, but those with more experience know that true originality starts when an artist utilizes his abilities to channel the spirit of the ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Elvin Jones & Anthony Wonsey

Read "Elvin Jones & Anthony Wonsey" reviewed by Joe Dimino


We begin the first episode of 2022 with Anthony Wonsey celebrating the idea of an entire village raising a musician. The year of 2021 will continue to be a focus on this first episode as we profile the likes of Mafalda Minnozzi, Yoron Israel, Oli Astral and Benjamin Schnake. In between, we hear from legends like Elvin Jones, Horace Silver and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Enjoy the new 2022 send off. Playlist Anthony Wonsey “Avo's Blooze" Lorainne's Lullabye (Cellar Live) ...

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Album Review

Anthony Wonsey: Lorraine's Lullabye

Read "Lorraine's Lullabye" reviewed by Jack Bowers


As it “takes a village" to raise a child, writes Anthony Wonsey, it also takes a village to raise a jazz pianist, and Lorraine's Lullabye is Wonsey's way of saying “thank you" to many of those who have helped and nurtured him throughout his journey including New York educator and social worker Lorraine Tiezzi, the album's namesake. As we come into this world alone, cared for by our parents and others, so Wonsey begins the musical odyssey ...

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Album Review

Donald Edwards Quintet: The Color Of US Suite

Read "The Color Of US Suite" reviewed by Chris May


This is an album one really wants to love but ends up applauding more for its intention than its realisation. Drummer Donald Edwards has composed a suite which addresses the race hate which besmirches America and which, observed from the other side of the pond, seems to have become more bitter and entrenched with the passing years. On the opening “Little Hopes," a young girl identified as Sophia Edwards, possibly Edwards' daughter, relates with affecting simplicity her ...

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Album Review

Ralph Peterson & the Messenger Legacy: Onward & Upward

Read "Onward & Upward" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Generally speaking, legacy bands are created to preserve the music of an artist. They feature innovative interpretations of an artist's compositions or past performances to share with future generations of listeners. In the case of drummer Ralph Peterson, his ambitious efforts to honor the continuum of his mentor Art Blakey are forward thinking, about a collective gathering of resources that stress creative thought and individuality. Just as the true legacy of the Jazz Messengers portends, contributors are charged with replenishing ...

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Album Review

Anthony Wonsey: The Thang

Read "The Thang" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Anthony Wonsey's latest disc finds the pianist coming into his own creative voice. Wonsey has been at the center of some very notable works over the past few years, including recordings by trumpeter Nicholas Payton, songstress Carmen Lundy and others. The Thang, his fifth disc as a leader, continues in the straight-ahead format of his label, Sharp Nine Records. While others artists his age are dabbling in freer modes, make no mistake that Wonsey is a skilled artisan who plays ...

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Album Review

Anthony Wonsey Trio: Blues for Hiroshi

Read "Blues for Hiroshi" reviewed by David S. Birk


Sharp Nine Records' slogan is “Straight ahead and in the pocket." How well does Sharp Nine's offering from Anthony Wonsey fit the bill?In the last decade, pianist Anthony Wonsey has been associated with prominent names like Nicholas Payton, Wallace Roney and the late Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine. So it's a surprise that Blues for Hiroshi is only the second album under Wonsey's leadership. (The album is the trio's first American release.) The disc is nicely paced with three ...

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Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Lorraine's Lullabye

Cellar Records
2021

buy

Onward & Upward

Onyx Music Label
2020

buy

The Thang

Sharp Nine Records
2006

buy

Blues for Hiroshi

Sharp Nine Records
2004

buy

Open the Gates

Criss Cross
1999

buy

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