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Tony DeNicola

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tony DeNicola
Birth nameAntonio Emedio
BornSeptember 2, 1927
Pennington, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 2006 (aged 79)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresJazz
InstrumentsDrums

Antonio Emedio, known as Tony DeNicola (September 2, 1927 – September 2, 2006)[1] was an American jazz drummer most associated with Kenny Davern,[2][3] although he also had his own quartet.

Early life and education

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Born in Pennington, New Jersey, DeNicola was a longtime resident of the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey).[4]

Career

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DeNicola began his career playing drums in firehouse bands, polka bands, and nightclubs. He served in the United States Army Air Forces in 1946 and 1947. In 1948, he toured the Midwest with Donn Trenner and later performed at venues in San Francisco. After returning to New Jersey to help his grandparents run their tavern, he continued touring and performing with jazz musicians, including Freddy Martin, Harry James, Billy Butterfield, and Charlie Shavers. DeNicola also taught music in the Trenton Public Schools. After earning his master's degree, DeNicola worked as an adjunct professor at Trenton State College from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. After retiring from teaching, he continued to perform.[5]

Personal life

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DeNicola died at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia in 2006.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Jazz Encyclopedia from Radio Swiss Jazz". Radioswissjazz.ch. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  2. ^ Meyer, Edward N. (9 July 2010). The Life and Music of Kenny Davern by Edward N. Meyer. ISBN 9780810876934. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  3. ^ Ratliff, Ben. "Old-School Jazz Clarinetists Slip In a Few Surprises at JVC Festival", The New York Times, June 23, 2006.
  4. ^ Staff. "Tony DeNicola: Obituary", The Times (Trenton), September 4, 2006. Accessed September 17, 2015. "Tony DeNicola, 79, died Saturday in the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Born in Pennington, he had resided in Lawrenceville for 40 years."
  5. ^ Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (2007). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-532000-8.
  6. ^ "Tony DeNicola Obituary (2006) The Times, Trenton". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-07-09.