Tony Saunders Band

Tony Saunders is an AMERICAN BASS and synthesizer player in the genres of rock, JAZZ, gospel, R&B, Pop and World Music

Tony Saunders’ theme of love is showcased once again on his new single "Loving You is Easy" and on Tony's album "The Romance Continues". Teaming up with some of today's top artists, composers, producers and musicians, Tony's new 15 track album delivers a prolific and infectious collection of very catchy smooth jazz tracks. It The Label has yet to release a second single the first single “Loving You Is Easy” has remained high on many charts including #6 on the Billboard top 10.
When Tony learned in 2021 that he had outgrown San Francisco Records from Ron Umile the Label President he called a radio buddy in Florida who hooked him up with Tom Hayden President of Baja/TSR Records. Tony’s last CD in 2020 Sexy Something had stayed on the charts for a year chasing Tom’s artist Nils for the number one spot on a few smooth jazz charts. Tony’s rendition of Rock Steady (Whispers version) went to number 1 for 12 weeks, so Tom had known about Tony for a while. He asked Tony before you put your CD on the market, will you please let me hear it. Once he heard it he signed Tony and the CD ALL ABOUT LOVE hit the airwaves in 2022. The CD was the 3rd most heard CD in smooth jazz trailing only Nils and 1 other artist for the top spot for spins on radio. In 2022 Tony also released a Black Lives Matter Video which won a Telly Award in the category of Social Impact.
My First Cd was called Romancing the Bass and now my 7th solo CD is The Romance Continues. The love of my Bass, my music and my family is why the Romance Continues for me. I teamed up with an old friend whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, and we wrote 9 songs for this project. Michael Mani won a Grammy for a song on the Santana Supernatural CD. Michael also worked with Lady Gaga, Becky G, Tori Kelly, H.E.R. and other top line clients. The reconnection worked perfectly as Tony Loved working with him when he was 18 and now when he is a seasoned veteran 40 years later. The first song they finished was Swagalicious. Tony wrote the melody in his hotel room leaning the bass against the wall as he listened to the track to write the melody. Michael and I vibe so well and trust each other’s production skills that this match was the easiest Tony has made collaborations with. Before I started with Michael a studio was just nickel and diming me to death. But I made the change to The Jam studios and have a new studio to work out of in LA.
Growing up in the music business hasn’t always been easy but this chapter called 2024 will be special…The Tony Saunders Band is Ashley Jemison Sax, Peter Fuji Guitar, Mark Stich Keys, John Mitchell Drums and Debo on Bass.

Two-time Emmy Award winning bassist, composer, producer and son of legendary Bay Area keyboardist, Merl Saunders, Tony Saunders’ life has been infused with one musical adventure after another. As an arranger, producer, composer and performer, Saunders has conquered the worlds of jazz, gospel, R&B, pop, rock and world music. He earned the first of his two Emmys at age 14 for collaborating with his dad on the PBS documentary Soul Is and by 17 was playing with Merl and Jerry Garcia on their collaborative projects. The second was earned for his contribution on the TV show, Digital Journey, on the episode, “China: Their New Digital Economy.” Though he took one of his first musical lessons on piano from Herbie Hancock, the bass he received from John Fogerty’s brother Tom – and watching recording sessions with famed bassists Anthony Davis and Lee Miles - sparked a lifelong passion for that instrument that now, 50 years later, has led to his emergence as a major independent force in contemporary jazz.

Saunders graduated from the prestigious Conservatory of Music in San Francisco as a piano player, but has focused on the bass throughout his career, drawing on influences and encouragement of greats like James Jamerson and Stanley Clarke. After launching his career with his dad Merl and Jerry Garcia, Saunders embarked on a diverse career that has found him playing and recording with a virtual who’s who of popular music and jazz – including Eric Clapton, David Crosby, Dave Liebman, Les McCann, Dr. John, Joe Sample, Chaka Khan, Ringo Star, Bo Diddley, Mavis Staples, John Lee Hooker, The Hawkins Family, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr. Over the years, Tony has scored films, corporate videos, TV shows and commercials, and produced many artists out of his own studio, Studio 1281. He’s written the music and been musical director for stage musicals, including Rock Justice, which was co-written by Jefferson Starship’s Marty Balin.