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Tony Middleton

Tony Middleton………One of the most versatile performers in entertainment today, has been described as 
having “a rare ability” and a “vocal talent unsurpassed”.

Tony’s career is an interesting and diversified one, which spans many years of accomplishments. Although 
as a teenager, he was working towards becoming a “golden gloves” boxer, he changed course and became the 
lead singer and songwriter of a group called “The Willows”. They are most known for the crossover song, 
he wrote, “Church Bells May Ring”. They did “My Dear Dearest Darling”, “Dolores”, “White Cliffs of Dover”
and many more. Tony Middleton and the Willows have appeared regularly at the Westbury Music Fair, 
American Music Theatre, PA., and at the Tarrytown Music Hall, in addition to numerous other theaters across 
the country and internationally. Tony and the Willows have appeared on three PBS specials shows on 
Doo Wop and “Church Bells May Ring” is considered one of the 100 all-time great songs of that genre.

He has performed in several Broadway musicals, such as the lead in “Cabin in the Sky” and principle roles 
in “Purlie” and “Porgy and Bess”. He later lived and performed in Paris and Europe in the jazz circuit for a 
number of years. In Europe, Tony was the understudy for Sammy Davis in “Free and Easy” written by 
Harold Arlin and Johnny Mercer. He also performed in concert at the City Center and Wolftrap with 
Alvin Ailey Dancers singing the “Mary Lou Williams’s Mass”, and was one of the headliners at Lincoln Center
for the 55th Birthday Tribute to the late Charlie Parker.

As a soloist, he has performed and is known by many world class performers. Tony has performed with and 
the music of Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones, and Cy Coleman. His act has headlined at the Apollo along with
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Big Mabel, and Slappy White. He has sung with Sissy Houston, 
Nell Carter and Della Reese. He Recorded “Don’t Ever Leave Me” written & produced by Burt Bacharach, 
which received a Grammy Nomination

Besides Broadway, Tony’s career has included commercials, television, film and the cabaret circuit here and 
abroad. Tony is a member of SAG, AFTRA and EQUITY. Enjoying both film and TV, Tony is most fulfilled 
when his is singing and interpreting music in his unique jazz style. His big voice is sometimes compared to 
Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock, Lou Rauls and Ray Charles and yet, his range is more complex with his 
deep and sultry tones.

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113

Performance / Tour

"Feelin' Good" with Tony Middleton

"Feelin' Good" with Tony Middleton

Source: All About Jazz

Jazz Vocalist & Lead Singer of the Willows

Having sung for years as an R&B, Soul, and Jazz performer in New York, London, Paris, and more recently a tour in Wales, Tony is now singing with his pianist Jesse Elder, 3-time ASCAP winner & his quartet.

Tony, besides being the lead singer of the Willows, “Church Bells May Ring", he has been a songwriter and arranger. He's appeared on Broadway in Cabin in the Shy" and featured in “Purlie". He ...

212

Performance / Tour

Tony Middleton @ The Blue Note (NYC) on January 18

Tony Middleton @ The Blue Note (NYC) on  January 18

Source: All About Jazz

WHAT: Having sung for years as an R&B, Soul, and Jazz performer in New York, London, Paris, and more recently a tour of Northern Soul in Wales, Tony is now singing with his pianist Jesse Elder, 3-time ASCAP award winner & his quartet. Tony, besides being the lead singer of the Willows, “Church Bells May Ring”, he has been a songwriter and arranger. He’s appeared on Broadway as the lead in “Cabin in the Sky: and featured singer in “Purlie. ...

152

Performance / Tour

Tony Middleton at Enzo's Jazz on October 22

Tony Middleton at Enzo's Jazz on October 22

Source: All About Jazz

Jazz Vocalist & Lead Singer of the Willows At Enzo's Jazz at the Jolly Madison Towers Wednesday, October 22, 2008 8:00pm & 9.30pm Tony Middleton will be performing at: Enzo's Jazz at the Jolly 22 East 38th Street New York, NY 10036 Reservations- 212-802-0600 Having sung for years as an R&B, Soul, and Jazz performer in New York, London, Paris, and more recently a tour in Wales, Tony is now singing with his pianist ...

Tony Middleton serves notice that the jazz world has a voice to reckon with, singing
 in a husky, Johnny Hartman-like voice……Tony tackles songs with the unassuming confidence of a seasoned veteran. Jack Frieden, Ledger Star, Norfolk, VA

Middleton is a suave baritone whose unique voice contains the bluesy facility 
 of a Joe Williams and the authority of William Warfield. Lawrence Carter, Detroit News, MI

Tony’s name has been linked with the songs of the biggest names in the business, like Burt Bacharach, Michel Legrand, Stan Applebaum, Leiber & Stoller, Johnny Pate and Klaus Ogermann. Peter Burns, UK

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