"Tonio Toots His New Trumpet" - Antonio Gambrell
Antonio Phedonia Gambrell is a professional trumpeter from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Anderson, South Carolina. He began playing trumpet at the age of eleven in his school’s band program under the direction of Lane Moore. Soon after, Antonio began lessons with Dr. Gary Malvern, professor of trumpet at Furman University nearby. After leaving his birthplace, he moved to the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, Louisiana. There, he honed his trumpet skills and musicianship under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, Harold Battiste, Clyde Kerr Sr., and Ed Petersen at the University of New Orleans. He remained in New Orleans after graduation for almost three decades working as a freelance musician. During those years, Antonio traveled, taught, and performed with the likes of Walter “Wolfman”Washington, Jason Marsalis, Corey Henry, Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), and a host of national and international artists. Now, he has aspirations for film scoring and media composition. For Antonio, Tonio Toots His New Trumpet was birthed out of the reflection of his career as a trumpeter to reinspire by revisiting the beginning.
GENRE: Children's Book
Blurb:
One day at school, Tonio's life is changed when his teacher introduces him to a musical instrument: the trumpet! His enthusiasm grows, hearing jazz music and receiving a brand-new trumpet of his own. Tonio's story provides a lesson for all ages about embracing your gifts and sharing them with others.
