Anton was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and started playing the drums at age four. He moved to Boston in the USA when he was 17 and studied both jazz and classical music at the New England Conservatory, graduating in 1975. The following year he moved to New York and began making his name as a freelance musician. He soon met Letterman show MD Paul Shaffer on a session for Joan Armatrading, but it was almost ten years before he got the chance to join Shaffer on the Letterman show.
Biography:
On the Letterman show Anton and the CBS Orchestra have accompanied a fantastic number and variety of musical guests, including Miles Davis, James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Winwood, Bonnie Raitt and Tony Bennett. Away from the Letterman show the orchestra has also appeared at occasional prestigious events backing artists such as Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Little Richard, BB King, Al Green, Gloria Estefan, In Sync, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy, Macy Gray and James Taylor. The orchestra is also the regular house band for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Between times Anton’s session work has included recording with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Kiss, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Gary Moore, Spider, Ace Frehley, Rosanne Cash, Joe Cocker, Warren Zevon and Paul Butterfield. Live work has included performances with Paul Simon, Booker T and the MGs, The Thompson Twins at Live Aid, and alongside fellow drummer Jim Keltner for Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary concert celebration.
This year Anton has finally released his first solo CD entitled "Figments". The record was three years in the making, with Anton taking on production and co-writing duties as well as drumming. The album reflects Anton’s diverse musical tastes and wide choice of musical guests, with material ranging from Heavy Metal to the more subtle grooves of Anton’s native South Africa.
Anton’s vibrant, outgoing personality and his totally committed live drumming also make his educational videos, "In The Groove" and "Late Night Drumming", essential viewing.
Yamaha equipment:
Anton uses several Yamaha set-ups depending on the situation. His extensive Letterman Show kit reflects the need to cover numerous musical styles. It’s based around a blue sparkle Maple Custom Absolute and comprises a 10”x4” Peter Erskine Sopranino snare, 14”x6” Anton Fig signature main snare, 10”x8”, 12”x8” and 13”x9” hanging toms, 16”x14” floor-mounted tom and 22”x18” bass drum. Anton says the Maple Custom drums “are lighter and they resonate really well.”
For live work and recording Anton uses his old Letterman kit which is a similar Maple Custom with 10”, 13” and 16” regular depth drums and double foot pedal.
For gigs around town he uses a Hipgig kit or a basic kit with 22” kick, regular depth 10” and 13” toms and 14” Manu Katche signature snare drum, again with double kick pedal.
Artist Website: www.antonfig.com