Anthony (Tony) Gorruso, 67, a trumpeter and a member of Local 802 since 1984, died on June 6, 2025.

The son of Anthony Gorruso Sr., a high school band director, Tony began his professional career at age 17, recording with Spyro Gyra on their first album. From 1979 to 1983, he attended the Berklee College of Music as an arranging major.

Tony was well known for his collaborations with Frank Sinatra; he appears on at least three of Sinatra’s live albums. In his career, Tony also performed with Buddy Rich, Sting, Tony Bennett, Clark Terry, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, the Duke Ellington Orchestra (under the direction of Mercer Ellington), Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli, Jon Lucien, Mary Ellen Bernard, David Sanborn, Kanye West, and many others.

Tony was a highly accomplished Broadway musician; some of his credits include “Spamalot,” “42nd Street,” “Miss Saigon,” and many others, including first trumpet and featured soloist on the 1989 revival of “Gypsy.”

His musical life was eclectic. He is seen briefly on screen of the 1989 Woody Allen film “Crimes and Misdemeanors” and also appears on the soundtrack. He performed on hundreds of national radio and TV jingles. He was a longstanding member of the Demolition Brass Band.

Tony was also determined and courageous. In 1998, he suffered a severe upper lip injury requiring over 30 stitches, which nearly ended his career. He fully recovered and went back to an active career.

He is survived by his son Taylor as well as other family and friends. To read many tributes to Mr. Gorruso on Facebook, start here.

(A longer version of Mr. Gorruso’s biography above first appeared on his official website here.)