| Tony Royster, Jr. (Drummer) | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Anthony Royster JR. |
| Born | October 9, 1984 |
| Origin | Hinesville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, gospel, experimental, fusion, hip hop, pop |
| Occupations | Drummer |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Associated acts | Jay-Z, Big Sean, ASAP |
Tony Royster, Jr (born October 9, 1984) is a German American drummer. He was raised in Hinesville, Georgia and is a 2002 graduate of Liberty County High School. His father began to teach him how to play the drums at the age of three. He is the son of Tony Sr. and Gayle Royster, and has one brother, Calvin Royster. All still reside in Hinesville, GA.
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He is known for winning the Guitar Center National Drum-Off competition Hollywood in 1995 (at the age of 11), being voted #1 Up and Coming Drummer by Modern Drummer magazine and in 1997 he was the Modern Drummer festival, being the youngest to shock the crowd. He soon had his first video called Common Ground on Inspiring Drummers Series. 2000 readers' poll and being voted #2 in the UK 2001 readers' poll. He is known for his use of the Moeller method as well and his blazing hand and foot speed. Tony excels at Funk, R&B, Latin, Rock, and Jazz. He has endorsement deals with DW Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Evans drumheads, LP percussion, Drumframe, Shure microphones, and Warner Bros. Publications. Some of his influences are Dennis Chambers, Jim Chapin and Billy Cobham.
Royster Jr. has played with Imajin, Lazyeye, New Flava, and En Vogue. He performed on the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards show at the age of 15, and an international tour in 2001 backing #1 selling Japanese artist Hikaru Utada as well as performing with Paul Shaffer (of Late Show with David Letterman) in the Nickelodeon House Band. In addition, he is also currently playing with Francisco Fattoruso, Jay-Z, Joe Jonas and his own band. Royster Jr. released the videos "Pure Energy" (2007), and The Evolution of Tony Royster (2009), which are both more inspirational than instructional.[1]
Most recently, Royster Jr. joined Joe Jonas' band on tour in the United Kingdom in Fall 2011. On August 22, 2011, he was the featured artist on Late Show with David Letterman, performing a drum solo for Drum Solo Week II. Royster Jr. was also featured The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on November 3, 2011, and on Conan on November 7, 2011, alongside Joe Jonas.
His solo kit configuration with groups like Imajin include:- DW Drums Collectors Maple
18"x22" [x2] Bass drums with 8"x22" [x2] Bass drum woofers 5"x13" Collectors Maple snare 7"x8" tom 8"x10" tom 9"x12" tom 11"x14" tom 13"x15" tom 14"x18" tom
His Kit while on tour with Jay-Z consists of :- DW Drums Collectors Maple
18"x22" Bass drum 5"x13" Collectors Maple snare 8"x10" tom 9"x12" tom 13"x15" tom 14"x18" tom
Tony uses DW 9000 pedals and DW 9000 hardware & Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks
Tony uses Sabian cymbals: HHX Evolution 13" high hats, HH Splash 12", HHX Xtreme crash 19", V Crash 18", HH Rock ride 20", HHX Xplosion crash 20", HHX Groove hats 15", HHX Evolution O-Zone crash 18", AA Fast Chinese 18", AAXtreme Chinese 17", HH Duo splash 10".