Sonny Emory
Emory performing in 2012
Background information
Born (1962-12-23) December 23, 1962
Atlanta, Georgia
GenresR&B, soul, Jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Drums, Percussion
Years active1983-present
Websitehttps://web.archive.org/web/20230331185745/https://www.sonnyemory-cachet.com/media

Sonny Emory (born December 23, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, drummer and percussionist. Emory is a former member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. He has also worked with artists such as Bruce Hornsby,[1] Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lorber and the B-52's.[2][3]

Early years

Sonny Emory is a native of Atlanta, Georgia who received his first drum set at the age of five. He attended Frederick Douglass High School. He graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor's degree in Jazz and Classical Performance. After graduating, Emory began his career as a professional percussionist.[4][2]

Professional career

At first Emory played the drums on guitarist Bruce Hampton's 1987 album Arkansas and then upon keyboardist Joe Sample's 1987 LP Roles. Emory also went on join the band Earth, Wind & Fire during 1987.[5][3][6]

He later featured on saxophonist Brandon Fields 1988 album The Traveler. Emory then featured alongside Eric Clapton and David Sanborn on the soundtrack of the 1989 feature film Lethal Weapon 2. As well Emory played the drums on The B-52's 1989 LP Cosmic Thing, Phyllis Hyman's 1991 album Prime of My Life, Peabo Bryson 1991 LP Can You Stop the Rain and Chic's 1992 album Chic-ism.[5]

Emory also featured on George Howard's 1993 LP When Summer Comes, Bobby Lyle's 1994 album Rhythm Stories and Everette Harp's 1994 LP Common Ground. He also played percussion upon the Urban Knights 1997 album Urban Knights II and Lee Ritenour's 1998 studio LP This Is Love.[5]

Sonny was a member of Bruce Hornsby's Noisemakers band from 2002 to 2018.[1]

Teaching career

Emory lectures as an adjunct professor in Applied Percussion at Georgia State University.[3][7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Sonny Emory - drums". Bruuuce.com. July 23, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Sonny Emory: Earth, Wind And Love". drummagazine.com. Drum Magazine. April 30, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sonny Emory". Yamaha.com.
  4. ↑ "Renowned Jazz Drummer Donates Yamaha Drumline to Frederick Douglass High School Drum Corps". yamaha.com.
  5. 1 2 3 "Sonny Emory". Allmusic.com.
  6. ↑ "Drum Clinic". The Pantagraph. April 13, 2006. p. 35.
  7. ↑ Stepp, Brenda (October 19, 2018). "Q&A: Atlanta's funky drummer Sonny Emory takes a break from Clapton tour for his own album". artsatl.org.
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