BIOGRAPHY
Tony Nesbitt-Larking is a Juno-nominated multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, specializing in drums and guitar. He performs, records, teaches, composes, tours, rehearses, and practices in a variety of styles and contexts.
Tony has released 2 solo albums (2011’s Tony Nesbitt-Larking, and 2013’s Deep Space). The albums received critical acclaim, and were featured on Jazz FM 91.1 in Toronto, and CHUO FM 89.1 in Ottawa, among other radio stations.
Working as a freelance musician on the Toronto scene since 1999, Tony has performed, recorded, and toured with many groups and artists, including The Most Serene Republic, Jadea Kelly, Zaki Ibrahim, Tanika Charles, The Jessica Stuart Few, Jay Aymar, Kellylee Evans, On An On, Andrew Austin, Chikita Violenta, We Are Augustines, Allie Hughes, The Pigott Brothers, The Great Canadian Fiddle Show, The Sole Pursuit, Chris Birkett, Greyhound Riders, Stephanie Cadman, The Amores, Rock'n'Rainbow, Sirens Of Shanti, and Blue Venus.
Tony’s musical education started with many years of private lessons on drums and guitar, and progressed to studies at the Etobicoke School For The Arts (Percussion Major), and Humber College (Bachelor of Contemporary and Applied Music).
Tony has toured North America extensively, as well as Europe and Japan, and has played at many notable venues, including Massey Hall in Toronto, Bowery Ballroom in New York, and Paradiso in Amsterdam. He has also played many notable festivals, including the SXSW Music Festival (Austin, Texas), Festival Jazz de Levis (Levis, Quebec), Taubertal Festival (Rothenburg, Germany), and Virgin Festival (Toronto, Ontario).
He has also been a part of music videos, including The Men Who Live Upstairs by The Most Serene Republic.
Tony tracked drums and percussion for the Tim Horton’s jingle “It’s Time For Tim’s”, which ran for two years.
Tony proudly endorses Headhunters drumsticks. He has also been featured in Modern Drummer online magazine, for his tour blog, while on tour with The Most Serene Republic.
In 2010, a song that Tony played drums and percussion on, Heavens To Purgatory by The Most Serene Republic, was nominated for Video Of The Year at the Juno Awards.
Tony has been featured on over 30 commercially released albums over the past 15 years, including Population - The Most Serene Republic (Arts & Crafts label), Flower City After Dusk - The Sole Pursuit, and While It’s Still Light Out - Andrew Austin.
Tony is currently teaching online drums, guitar, and theory lessons, and is working with various artists and groups when his schedule permits. He is also working on his 3rd solo album, his 1st drum instruction book, and his 1st drumming tips book. Stay tuned for these! Tony thanks you for visiting his website.
