Tony Simmons - BIO Legendary music virtuoso, Tony Simmons, a native of Kansas City, MO, started playing piano at the young age of 5. By age 7, Tony Simmons became completely blind due to Glaucoma. Tony attended the C.C.V.I. (Childrens Center for the Visually Impaired) between the years of 1968-1970. Tony had taken piano lessons and by the time he was 9 years old, began playing for the children’s choir at Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church. By the time he was 12 years old, Tony had excelled to the Minister of Music for the entire church. At age 13, Tony moved to St. Louis, and attended the Missouri School for the Blind, where he was exposed to and learned to play other styles of music, ie: jazz, rock and roll, classical, R&B etc. At a young age, not having the finances to purchase instruments, they were provided by Ludwig Aeolian. Throughout his entire musical career Gospel has played a major role in his ministry. Tony’s accomplishments stem from producing music for Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church out of Kansas City, MO, to the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America. Tony has worked with many denominations such as The Church of The Nazarene, United Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, African Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian. This passion has driven him to create and produce music for national gospel greats such as, Kirk Franklin and International Smooth Jazz artist, pianist, Joe McBride. While working as the Music Director for the COJC Music Record label in 2001, Tony single handedly composed the musical score for Alkesha Brown’s debut project, “Count It All Joy.” Tony currently serves as minister of music at The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church located in St. Charles, Missouri under the pastorate of Rev. William Z. Matthews. In 2004, Tony became ill and was later diagnosed with Renal (kidney) failure. He continues to work while undergoing Dialysis three times a week. He is determined to live a normal life for as long he can until a donor becomes available. Tony’s greatest accomplishment to date is the release of his new CD entitled, “The Master Key.” This work of art has a blend of R&B, Smooth Jazz, and Contemporary Jazz that can be appreciated by anyone who loves good music as well as the serious jazz lover. Tony has shared the stage with such national artist as: ♫ Joe McBride - Heads Up national/international recording artist, Dallas, Tx. ♫ Theo Peoples - Former “Temptation” and currently the lead singer of the 4 Tops. To date,Tony currently plays for Theo Peoples. ♫ Kirk Franklin - Gospo Centric national recording artist. Tony organized a band and choir for Kirk in 2003 for his CD Release Listening Party at Harris Stowe State College in St. Louis, MO. ♫ Lou Rawls - Savoy Jazz national recording artist. ♫ Claude McNight - Lead singer of the group Take 6 and brother of Bryan McNight. ♫ David Peaston - National Recording artist and stageplay actor/vocalist. ♫ Denise Thimes - Recording Artist, actress, singer. Tony travels with and plays for Denise on many occasions. He is also featured on her CD projects. ♫ Kim Massie - Recording Artist. Tony travels with and plays for Kim on many different engagements. *For more information please contact Willow Multimedia Services at: 314-568-6222