Herbert A. Price Jr.

Herbert Anthony (Tony) Price Jr. (84) passed away peacefully of natural causes on the morning of February 23, 2026, at the Inn at Apple Ridge in Richfield, Ohio.

Tony was born on June 28, 1941, in San Diego and grew up in El Cajon. While a student at San Diego State University, he successfully auditioned for a scholarship to study tuba at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

While still a student at Juilliard, Tony won a position as tubist for the National Symphony, taking him to Washington D.C. for a brief period. In 1963 he was hired by the U.S. Department of State for a diplomatic tour of performances in Africa, as part of a yearlong celebration of Kenya’s national independence. After returning to New York he began a long and successful career as a professional musician with numerous credits in recording, film soundtracks, television and on Broadway.

He was a member of the live orchestra for several Broadway shows including The Rothchilds (1970), Treemonisha (1973), and the entire multi-year run of Annie (1977-1983).

Tony appeared on recordings for numerous jazz greats, including Wynton Marsalis, Art Farmer, Don Sebesky, Buddy Rich, Michael Brecker, and Stanley Turrentine, as well as the Collins-Shepley Galaxy featuring Herbie Hancock. He also recorded with legends of popular music such as Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, and Bo Diddley. In 1976, he joined fellow New York tuba greats Toby Hanks, Stephen Johns, and Sam Pilafian to form the New York Tuba Quartet.

His television work included Sesame Street and an eleven-year tenure on the Saturday Night Live musical staff (1990–2001), where he performed occasionally on-screen with the house band and guest artists.

His film recording credits included The Wiz (1978), Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Cape Fear (1991), and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).

He was a long-time member of The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra (1989-2006), making several performance tours to Japan.

Tony loved to spend his free time in the Catskill Mountains of New York State and in the Florida Keys where he enjoyed many hobbies over the years (cycling, scuba diving, hiking and birdwatching).

He is survived by his longtime partner Alice Poulson of Bonita Springs, Florida, his son Jon (Holly) Price of Richfield, Ohio, grandchildren Henry Price and Eleanor Price of Columbus, Ohio, and his daughter Robyn Price of Cleveland, Ohio.

Memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Tony’s memory are asked to donate to the National Audubon Society.