Clark Terry and Tony
Born in Albuquerque New Mexico in 1956, Tony began playing trumpet at the age of ten.
He studied privately with Kenny Anderson in Junior High School, Fenton Katz and Ed Wolfe in High School, and Sam Trimble at N.M.S.U. He participated in solo and ensemble competition, All State, and the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. After hearing Clark Terry at a Manzano High School clinic in 1971 Tony knew he wanted to be a jazz musician. Upon recognizing his incredible musical gift, Terry took the young Lujan under his tutelage and guided his career towards success.
He also studied privately with Woody Shaw, Cat Anderson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Shew, and Carl Saunders. Tiana, Mitchell, and Miles are his three children.
Tony and Clark Terry in 1971
New Mexico State University 1975 - 1977
University of New Mexico 1977 - 1978
University of Las Vegas 1978 - 1980
Tony with the Eddie Palmieri Band
Tony has performed live with the big bands of Clark Terry, Gerald Wilson, Bill Holman, Ray Charles, Peter Herbolzheimer, and Bobby Burgess; also with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Robert Goulet, Wayne Newton, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Hope, and Luis Miguel. Other notable artists and entertainers he has performed with include Santana, Ozomatli, Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Steve Turre Shell Choir, Francisco Aguabella, Poncho Sanchez, Walter Norris, Louis Bonilla, William Cepeda, Henry Franklyn, and Batacumbele.
Tony on tour with the Steve Turre Band
Tony has played lead trumpet in the national tours of musicals such as A Chorus Line (directed by Michael Bennett, starring Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie), Sweet Charity (directed by Bob Fosse), 42nd Street, The Most Fellow, and West Side Story.
Tony and Woody Shaw
Tony has recorded for major motion picture soundtracks in such films as Salsa, Mambo Kings, In the Line of Fire, War and Remembrance, The Marrying Man, and Chaplin. He has also appeared on television programs such as The Drew Carey Show, The Paul Rodrigues Show, Dame una Quebrada in Puerto Rico, and The Bronco Billy Show in Slovenia.
Tony with Tito Puente, Sonny Bravo, Orlando Cepeda, and Bobby Rodriguez
Additionally, Tony has given instruction at private clinics and schools such as the University of New Mexico, University of Texas at El Paso, Universidad de Mexico, the Royal Academy of Music, the Sherborne School of Music in England, BundessJazz Orchestra in Germany, and Taller De Music of Barcelona, Spain. He also taught at the University of Southern California, California State University at Los Angeles, the Dick Grove School of Music, Cal Arts, University of New Hampshire, San Dimas High School and, and for Massachusetts Public Schools. He also has been the Director of the Cape Cod Jazz Youth Orchestra, and teaches Jazz theory, composition, arranging, and Trumpet privately.
Tony with Jerry Gonzales