Artist: Tony Saunders
Album: The Romance Continues
Release: 2024
Website: https://www.tonysaunders.com/
The smooth jazz genre is filled with great musicians of all sorts. It seems to be a natural landing ground for mature instrumentalists to explore the funkier side of jazz flavored music. There are of course a few standout musicians and Tony Saunders is one of them. His name is one that needs to be thrown in the short list of great bassists with Nathan East and Marcus Miller. There are more than a handful that have the chops, but what separates the good from the exceptional within the genre is restraint. At some point they all play quite well, but not all know when to stop playing. Tony Saunders is one of the rare ones that exercises taste at every turn.
The latest album "The Romance Continues" is a 15 song set the clocks in at just over an hour. It is as smooth as lake water on a calm night and cool as the underside of the pillow. One of the things that becomes apparent is the ensemble effort of a team of great players.There is plenty of space for everyone to shine on these songs and they collectively knock the ball out of the park.
Track One, Gimmie Some More sets the wheels in motion with a funky groove with the bass upfront in the mix but not at all overbearing at any point. The spotlight is evenly distributed amongst the very competent musicians. They all shine over the clock like drum work of Tony Moore. The groove is as basic as it comes, but pops like Joe Frazier. It reminds me of the simplicity of the drum track in Michael Jackson's hit Billie Jean. Any musician knows that Billie Jean is a measuring stick for groove. This drum track holds up in comparison to it. If you're not tapping your foot to this one see a doctor, your pulse rate is dangerously low.
It is easy to understand why Loving You Is Easy was the first single released from the album. It's a smoky mid tempo sizzle that puts the heat in all the right places. It has memorable melodies and a comfortable bed track that sets the table for some fantastic bass playing from Tony. He has a way of displaying his considerable chops without seeming like he is trying to do so. With a musician of this caliber one can hear the ability in the subtleties of his touch. There is never a moment when he makes a spectacle of himself, but it is quite obvious there is a real player in the room.
The title cut The Romance Continues is another standout. The band locks in and lays down a beautiful track that has patience to spare, showcasing the wisdom to say what needs to be said in a little over three minutes and nothing more. Anything more than the truth would be too much. There is always room for overplaying in most instrumental music, but this ensemble avoids the temptation. By not taking the bait they don't struggle in the snare to get free from the trap of self indulgence. The wonderful and tasty piano solo provided by Gail Johnson could not have been landed any smoother than it is here.
As a whole this album is on the mellower side of the contemporary jazz genre. Tony and his band take the higher road of taste across its entirety. A good headphone listen exposes the depth of the production and attention to the small details. Music of this quality needs to be heard on something that allows the listener to hear the bottom end that will never be felt through a cell phone speaker. Give it a good car listen with the bass rolled way up and bask in the moving air that vibrates the dashboard that Tony Saunders serves up on a gold platter!
Check out the interview with Tony Saunders below!
Tell us the brief history of your band or musical career.
I grew up in a musical household because my Dad Merl Saunders was a musician. Through my Dad and my Cousin Eddie Moore, I was always around music. My Dad had songs on the radio and I would always go with him to the radio stations. In San Francisco the station was KSOL and he knew all the DJ’s. One of them Sylvester Stewart (SLY STONE) gave me an organ at 10 years old. I played piano at the San Francisco conservatory growing up and switched to bass when I was 14. I have always been around studios my Dad was signed to Fantasy Records and I used to watch Vince Gauraldi and Creedence Clearwater rehearse and record because they were on the label. Saul Zaentz was a secretary for the label before eventually buying the label and winning his Oscars for the films One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus. I got to hang with Saul while I was at the studio. Must have met him when I was 8. My Dad never forced me into music I always wanted to play music. All Star musicians were always at my house. Sly Stone, Herbie Hancock and Jimmy Smith just to name a few. My Godfather was Wynton Kelly the amazing piano player with Miles. My Dad had a record company with Wilt Chamberlain. I began writing music on the piano and Herbie encouraged me to keep writing my own music and he showed me some of his voicing when I was really young. When I was 17 I started playing bass with my Dad and Jerry Garcia. I was lucky enough to play with a lot of great people both with my Dad and on my own. Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Juice Newton, Buffy St Marie, Paul Butterfield, Les McCann, Dave Liebman and Pee Wee Ellis just to name a few. At 21 playing with New York Musicians Dave Liebman and Pee Wee Ellis I got a musical education that would launch my career toward greatness with their help. They were masters of their craft and each of them was super famous for what they did. Both Virtuoso saxophonist and both with history I needed to learn to get better. I had always been around great sax players because my cousin Eddie Moore played with Stanley Turentine, Sonny Rollins and Dewey Redmond. With my Dad and all of these great talents around I always wanted to be a musician. I got to be around some great bassist also. Chuck Rainey, Rufus Reid, Alex Blake, Paul Jackson, John Kahn and Jack Casady. This all helped shape my style. The Hawkins family Ed and Walter Hawkins also introduced me to a lot of gospel music’s superstars. I played with them for 5 years and at their Church Love Center and toured with them. At the same time I played with David Crosby. What a
big difference of genres but both with historical value to the music community. To be able to be around both of these acts was truly amazing. As they both were The greatest in their genres. This has shaped me into the musician I am today.
Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Paul Jackson, Brian Bromberg, Stanley Clarke, Ron Carter, Monk & Wes Montgomery, David Spinozza, Herbie Hancock, Willie Mays, Walter & Edwin Hawkins, Ronnie Lott, John Wooden, Merl Saunders.
What album has had the greatest impact on your life as a musician?
School Days Stanley Clarke.
What’s your favorite accomplishment as a musician thus far?
To be able to keep my solo career going for thirteen years with 7 CD’s under my belt. My growth as a musician over that time period.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
If you are not going to be serious about your instrument give it away don’t go back and forth with being serious about your instrument. “Chuck Rainey”
What's new in the recording of your music?
I was able to record in LA without having to leave him in Northern California. I was able to use Sessionwire and listen to mixes in my own studio. I was also able to add to the tracks in LA. Sessionwire is really great and they are updating it all the time. The owner saw we were stuck one day and came online and fixed are problem. Talk about great service....
How has your music changed over the years?
It has grown with each product. Because what comes out of me is different as I grow as a person so does my music evolve with me also. My ideas come from a different place than when I was young. The Romance of my Bass is still there so the Romance of my music has changed with every step I take. Listening to other music has changed
and I love that my music has stayed to where people like my new music as well as my old
music.
What inspires you to write the music you write?
My Lifestyle and my Family and all the beautiful people that come into my life. I have 16 grandkids, 3 great grandkids, a beautiful wife and 5 daughters and a lovely son. And I have The Man upstairs and my church family...
What made you want to play the instrument you play?
I played piano since I was 8 years old I took lessons, and as a teenager I went to the conservatory of Music in San Francisco. I was playing for the Jr. Symphony and I went through an amazing summer when I was 14. My Dad produced Walter Hawkins Album and the bass player was Anthony Davis. I can remember all of his baselines they were so lyrical and fit the music so well. Later that summer my Dad asked me to sing a song on a 45 for his label. The Bass player was Lee Miles who also played lyrical and he made the song move. I told my Dad I wanted to play bass. As a keyboard player he didn’t argue too much. He bought me a Sears bass and said practice. I did practice everyday at the studio with him. I got a lesson from his guitarist at the time John White and later from John Kahn who was playing with My Dad and Jerry Garcia. I could play all of his lines because I felt them. He would let me play the last couple of songs at their shows. Then he was busy and out of town and I subbed for him in the band. I could play just like him so everyone was thrilled. My Dad was my security blanket because I could tell what not he was playing and if I got lost I could always look at his left hand and he would show me which note to play. He also took me to his organ trio gigs and let me play. I wanted to be able to play music and this was the beginning of me playing bass.
How does your latest album differ from any of your others in the past?
All my Cd’s show a growth and this one is true to form. This is my best CD as the songs are better, The playing is better and the production is better. I you go back and listen to my first CD Whispering Waters until my New CD called The Romance Continues you will hear the growth. The Vibe is the same. The Passion is the same. I romance The Bass as
I romance Life and my passion for music is more driven on every project.
How are you continuing to grow musically?
I keep my ears open and listen to a lot of music in the genres of music. I get different things from different place wether it be a vocalist or a sax player or another bassist. My ears are eager to learn things I do not know how to play.
If you could change anything about the music industry today, what would it be?
Songwriters need to be paid from streaming a fair rate. Its not fair they give away music for free and don’t pay the songwriters .000 per stream.
What do you like most about your new album?
I like the fact that I am satisfied with all the production and the songs I choose for this project. My heart is feeling special because this is a musical statement that I am so proud of. The production, The playing by musicians and the feel of the project makes me smile from ear to ear.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love Sailing and Bike riding and Speed boat driving. I love the water I even Like to ride Jet Ski’s.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I love being around my family especially the grands. They are a whole 60 years younger than I am. I love being at the park with them or listening to a store or watching their favorite program. I have watched Bluey and the Disney Channel a lot. I am a people person and will always try and talk to whoever wants to talk to me after shows.
Comments