Anthony Arnold "Tony" Dagradi (born September 22, 1952) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

saxophonist. DSB_FQF13_Sun_Old_US_Mint_Popeyes_Esplanade_Shade_Astral_Project_Dagradi_and_Singleton

Biography

Dagradi was born in New York City, and began playing alto saxophone when he was eight years old. In his professional career, he has primarily played tenor and soprano saxophone. He studied under

Pepper Adams Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III (October 8, 1930 – September 10, 1986) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 42 pieces, was the leader on eighteen albums spanning 28 years, and participated in 600 sessions as a s ...

, Andy McGhee,

Kidd Jordan Edward "Kidd" Jordan (born May 5, 1935) is an American jazz saxophonist and music educator from New Orleans, Louisiana. After completing a music degree at Southern University in Baton Rouge, he relocated to New Orleans. He taught at Southern Un ...

, and Tony Aless in his youth, and was a student at Berklee College of Music (1970-1972). The following year he founded the ensemble Inner Visions, which included

Ed Schuller Edwin Gunther Schuller (January 11, 1955) is an American jazz bassist and composer. His father is Gunther Schuller, a composer, horn player, and music professor, and his younger brother is drummer George Schuller. Career A native of New York Ci ...

and Gary Valente as sidemen. After touring with

Archie Bell and the Drells Archie Bell & the Drells was an American R&B vocal group from Houston, Texas, and one of the main acts on Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records. The band's hits include " Tighten Up", "I Can't Stop Dancing" (both 19 ...

, he relocated to New Orleans in 1977 and freelanced regularly with jazz and blues musicians in the city. He was a member of Professor Longhair's touring band in the final years of Longhair's life, touring the United States and Europe and recording with him on the album '' Crawfish Fiesta''. In 1978 he cofounded Astral Project, a group which has been active on the New Orleans jazz scene for over forty years. In the 1980s he worked with Ramsey McLean, Carla Bley, and

Bobby McFerrin Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950) is an American folk and jazz singer. He is known for his vocal techniques, such as singing fluidly but with quick and considerable jumps in pitch—for example, sustaining a melody while also rap ...

. He earned a bachelor's degree at Loyola in 1986 and a master's degree at

Tulane Tulane University, officially the Tulane University of Louisiana, is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded as the Medical College of Louisiana in 1834 by seven young medical doctors, it turned into a comprehensive pub ...

in 1990.Gary W. Kennedy, "Tony Dagradi". '' The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz''. 2nd edition, ed. Barry Kernfeld. In the 1990s he worked with, among others,

Mose Allison Mose John Allison Jr. (November 11, 1927 – November 15, 2016) was an American jazz and blues pianist, singer, and songwriter. He became notable for playing a unique mix of blues and modern jazz, both singing and playing piano. After moving to N ...

and Ellis Marsalis, and is now professor of music at Loyola.

References

1952 births American jazz saxophonists American male saxophonists Living people Loyola University New Orleans alumni Loyola University New Orleans faculty Jazz musicians from New York City Tulane University alumni 21st-century American saxophonists 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians American people of Italian descent Astral Project members {{US-jazz-saxophonist-stub