Chris Robinson Brotherhood announce today that Tony Leone has joined the band on drums. His first performance with The CRB will be this coming weekend at the Sunshine Music & Blues Festival in Florida followed by a 14-date tour across the Midwest and East Coast in February. Leone’s arrival follows the departure of the band’s original drummer George Sluppick.

New York City-based Tony Leone began his career working with jazz luminaries like Illinois Jacquet, Lou Donaldson and Jon Hendricks. In 2002, he co-founded the acclaimed roots ensemble Ollabelle with Amy Helm. Through the association, he became a fixture at Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble sessions in Woodstock, NY. He’d fill the drum seat when Helm stepped away to play mandolin and sing. A highly regarded studio and touring musician, Leone’s resume includes work with Shooter Jennings, Rickie Lee Jones and Donald Fagen among many others.

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood thanks George Sluppick for his contribution to the band over the last three years and wishes him continued success in future musical endeavors.

Upcoming Chris Robinson Brotherhood tour dates are:

Jan. 17 – St. Petersburg, FL – Sunshine Music & Blues Festival
Jan. 18 – Boca Raton, FL – Sunshine Music & Blues Festival
Feb. 3 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
Feb. 5 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall
Feb. 6 – Chicago, IL – Park West
Feb. 7 – Pontiac, MI – Crofoot Ballroom
Feb. 8 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre
Feb. 10 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theatre
Feb. 11 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Feb. 13 – Boston, MA – Paradise
Feb. 14 – Boston, MA – Paradise
Feb. 15 – Stowe, VT – Rusty Nail
Feb. 19 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
Feb. 20 – Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
Feb. 21 – Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
Feb. 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
Mar. 28 – Las Vegas, NV – The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Apr. 2 – Byron Bay, Australia – Bluesfest
Apr. 3 – Byron Bay, Australia – Bluesfest
Apr. 4 – Melbourne, Australia – The Corner Hotel
Apr. 6 – Sydney, Australia – Metro Theatre
May 22 – N. Lawrence, OH – The Ville
May 31 – Napa, CA – Bottlerock Festival
Jul. 25 – Floyd, VA – Floydfest