Biography

BIOGRAPHY

TONY MORENO

Drummer - Composer - Educator

New York-based drummer, composer, and educator Tony Moreno is one of the jazz world's most captivating and versatile musicians, celebrated for his artistry and relentless dedication to his craft. A former student of the legendary Elvin Jones, who gifted Tony his first drum set, Moreno’s musical journey began at age two under the tutelage of his mother, Nina Dunkel, a renowned harpist and pianist. Her studies with musical luminaries such as Nadia and Lili Boulanger and Marcel Grandjany profoundly influenced Tony’s early musical development. By age four, Tony was attending The Dalcroze School of Music for piano, and by age eight, he had already embarked on his drumming path, eventually studying snare with Stan Koor.

At age 11, Tony’s mother took him to a neighborhood club to hear Elvin Jones, who the following week gave Tony a set of his drums and cymbals igniting a seven-year mentorship that profoundly shaped Tony's drumming style and set him on a lifelong dedication to jazz. Tony’s first professional gig came at age 12, playing at The West End. By age 13, Tony was transcribing (trying!) Elvin’s solos and comping during Elvin’s residencies at The Village Vanguard, bringing a manuscript book to every show. During this formative period, Tony also studied at Frank Ippolito’s Percussion Center, where he met many great drummers, including Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Papa Jo Jones, Mel Lewis, Billy Cobham, Philly Joe Jones, and many others.

At 15, Tony received the Elvin Jones/Professional Percussion Center Scholarship to attend the Elon College summer jazz program, where he honed his skills further. He also studied at the Jazz Interactions weekly program, working with drumming greats like Al “Tootie” Heath, Art Blakey, and Freddie Waits. Privately, he studied with Bob Moses and was mentored by Jimmy Giuffre at NYU, who encouraged him to compose original music. Throughout his youth, Tony spent time with his mentors, sharing meals, attending concerts, and playing music with icons such as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Jimmy Owens, Pepper Adams, Masabumi Kikuchi ("Poo"), Jimmy Garrison, Frank Foster, Jimmy Lyons, Dannie Richmond, and Motohiko Hino "Toko."

Nina Dunkel, Tony's mother

Tony Moreno
(Photo: Takehiko Tokiwa)

After graduating from The Manhattan School of Music, Tony became an active independent drummer in New York, performing with major figures like Bill Dixson, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, and Michael Mantler. He was also part of the iconic New York Loft Scene, performing with musicians such as Carla Bley, Bill Dixson, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, and the JCOA Orchestra with Cecil Taylor.

Following a European tour, Tony decided to base himself in Europe, while still touring and recording regularly in the U.S. and abroad. He toured and recorded with groups such as the Barry Harris Trio, The Gene Ess–Ravi Coltrane Quartet, the Lounge Lizards (“Live in Tokyo – Big Heart”), the Timucin–Greg Osby Quartet (“Live in Istanbul”), and the Mal Waldron Trio, among many others. He also worked with notable artists like Sal Nestico, Palle Danielsson, Jurgen Friedrich, Fred Favarel-Ritchie Beirach Quartet, Roberto Bonati, Doug Raney, Spooky Actions ("Live in Moscow"), Jean-Sebastien Simonoviez, Uffe Markussen and many more.

His artistry has since evolved into what Down Beat praised as “a forward-looking style” with "shimmering, tactile drumming,” and what All About Jazz called "the next step in bop evolution.” Tony’s career spans over 150 recordings, international tours across 30+ countries, and collaborations with legendary figures such as Dave Liebman, Billy Harper, Paul Bley, Sonny Fortune. His 2016 double-CD, Short Stories, hailed as Best Recording of the Year by The New York Jazz Record, showcases his distinctive “scorched-earth drumming” and offers “many avenues of aural satisfaction” (Down Beat) that have captivated audiences and critics alike.

Tony’s quiet presence and gentle demeanor offstage contrast with the profound intensity and artistry he channels into each performance behind the drum kit. DownBeat describes his playing as a mix of “power, grace, and time-twisting punctuations,” likened to a “blend of Jack DeJohnette, Buddy Rich, and Elvin Jones.” Recognized for his forward-thinking approach, Tony’s drumming has earned praise for its “shimmering, tactile” quality, and All About Jazz has noted that it represents "the next step in bop evolution."

Beyond performance, Tony is a dedicated educator with over two decades of experience, teaching at some of the most respected institutions in the world, such as NYU’s Jazz Studies Program, Columbia University’s Louis Armstrong Jazz Program, and City College of New York. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians extends to his volunteer work at The Door, a NYC-based youth support center where he has given back through music for more than ten years.

Tony is a proud endorser of Paiste cymbals (Kelly Paiste) and Le Soprano drums (Marco Gambarisio). He is also a recording artist with Mayimba Records and Sunnyside Records. Tony’s music is a testament to resilience and artistic excellence. His creativity and passion for jazz continue to influence the music world, making him one of New York’s most beloved and respected jazz musicians.