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Anthony Pierre
Congas; Bongos; Timbales; Bata; Surdo; Tamborim; Pandeiro; Berimbau; Agogo;
Cow Bells; Shakers; Triangles; and Miscellaneous Other Percussion instruments.

Born into a musical family in his native Trinidad and Tobago, Tony studied classical piano from the age of 8. He was always drawn though, to the rich folk and popular music of his twin island home, and by his late teens was playing with one of Trinidad’s top steelbands, Silver Stars. After moving to Canada for a university education, Tony’s passion for music led him to play with some of Toronto’s leading steelbands; and perform on keyboards and percussion in jazz and world music ensembles, all part of the vibrant musical scene in Toronto.

Jazz singer Salome Bey invited Tony to perform with her at Toronto’s Colonial Tavern in 1975 and catalyzed his specialization as a percussionist. Tony points to Ralph MacDonald and Paulinho DaCosta as major influences in this period. He has since developed a reputation as a superb “colour” percussionist, playing with the likes of Mike Boothman, Robert Bailey, Clive Zanda, Carlton Zanda, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, and Raf Robertson in the Caribbean “Kaiso Jazz” and “Pan Jazz” idioms.

Tony has also performed with various Toronto jazz fusion groups like the Paul Cristopher Band and the Carlton Vaughn Band. He is a founding member of the Toronto based Brazilian style bateria, Samba Squad, and now leads the contemporary jazz ensemble Kalabash.

Tony minored in ethno-musicology while studying Computer Science at York University in Toronto, exploring World Music and West African percussion, and also did a stint as musical director of the campus based Yorktones Steelband.

He is a gifted teacher and can conduct workshops in: The Basics of African Based Polyrhythm; and Playing Percussion in an Ensemble – The Essentials; and conduct Instrument Clinics on a variety of percussion instruments.