David Anthony

Smooth Jazz Artist and Composer David Anthony hails from Chattanooga, Tennessee where his musical journey began in grade school with a stirring vocal rendition of “Blues In the Night” that classmates who were present still talk about to this day. That “My momma done told me” moment was a pivotal one as the seed was planted for David to began formal musical training choosing the trumpet as his instrument. By high school he was playing gigs on the adult level performing mainly with The Black Diamonds, an R&B Soul group he started. Quickly the group became popular even on the adult level as they performed at major venues and organizations around the city. David furthered his music education by enrolling at Tennessee State University in Nashville “Music City USA.”

By then he had taught himself to play piano, using it to compose and arrange. While at college, David honed his performance skills at talent shows, and in the practice rooms of the music building. It was there at the University that David landed a his first professional job as keyboardist for “The Montclairs,” a vocal group based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Although that group enjoyed a string of regional hits during this time, they broke up and lead singer Phil Perry went on to enjoy a successful solo career. David continued to perform and landed a gig as the musical director for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’sThe Impressions. of which he still enjoys today. In 2007 the group celebrated 50 years in the entertainment business with a sold out concert backed by The The Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. David’s arrangements of the Curtis Mayfield songbook echoed through out the Tivoli Theatre Performance Hall backed a 50-piece orchestra.

During his travels David has shared the stage with the likes of George Duke, Little Richard, Lakeside, Leroy Hutson, The Stylistics, The Delphonics, Martha Reeves, Little Anthony and The Imperials, Zapp, The Dennis Edwards Temptations Revue, The Manhattans, Little Richard, The SOS Band, Rose Royce, Denise Williams, and “The Iceman” Jerry Butler. He also serves as The Musical Director for Ultimate Tours, “It’s All About Doo Wop” concert series.

When at home, he leads ‘The Gentlemen’s Jazz Quartet” a smooth jazz quartet he founded that performs traditional and smooth jazz, classic soul/rhythm & blues. As a composer and arranger, he continues to orchestrate music for a number of clients and media for radio, film, theater and television. From solo piano vocal gigs to full orchestrated size events and venues, David continues his musical journey