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Tony Tate
Retired Navy Musician
About Me
My name is Tony Tate. I have loved Jazz since high school. I played the baritone
saxophone. I went to college to be a music major after high school, but for reasons that
still baffles me today, I quit. I ended up working in a restaurant for about 4
years before finally joining the Navy in 1987.
I found out they had a band after I'd already signed up. My recruiter arranged for
an
audition for me. Apparently, it didn't go very well, as I didn't make the cut. So I was
in the Navy as a Ship's Serviceman; working in ship's stores, laundry, storerooms,
and operating vending machines.
About a year and a half in, my ship had the 7th Fleet Band on board. One of them heard
me practicing between loads in the dry cleaning plant and talked me into auditioning again.
Needless to say, I got in on my second audition.
I played alto & tenor sax, and also some flute with the band until I retired in 2007.
However, they wore me out. When I got out in I didn't want to play anymore, nor
did
I have a saxophone of my own, at least not one that actually played, and I didn't
care.
The desire to play just recently returned. I just purchased a new tenor sax about 7
months ago and have been practicing since. I'm in the process of getting down to the
basics again. I'm also trying to relearn some of the jazz classics.
At some point, I hope to be able to begin playing gigs again. Not sure when I'll be
ready, but I am always working toward that goal.
I never expected the desire to play to surface again, but I'm glad it has. Playing is fun
again. I can't wait to play with some other folks. That would be the ultimate. I am no
longer musically retired.
