“Tony Copeland” a jazz guitarist born and raised in the small port town of Portsmouth, Virginia. He began playing music at an early age, after his parents Floyd a retired Longshoreman and Velma a retired city worker purchased two guitars, one for him and one for his older brother “Reneal”. As his father was a hard worker and a great provider, it was his mother who kept him and his seven siblings in church filled with a host of undiscovered musicians. This is where they honed their skills by watching and imitating the older guitar, bass and drum players. It is a fact that Tony did much of his early practicing, in the closet. The story goes like this: His father belonged to the quartet “The Golden Tones” which eventually disbanded. Floyd the father brought the musical instruments (guitar, bass, amplifier and microphone) home and put them away in the closet. They (Tony) would sneak in while his father was away and practice on these instruments in the dark. Too short to turn on the light and afraid that he would be exposed by the other siblings was the reason for this unusual practice behavior.
Tony is a graduate of Manor High School. While working at a London Fog coat factory he attended Commonwealth College and Rice Aviation where he studied to become a certified Airframe repairman. This effort was halted after the sudden and tragic death of his youngest brother “Gary”. After a rough bout of depression, Tony slowly began to re-focus on his music career. He joined and did a short tour with “The Virginia Aires” as the bass player. He later joined and toured with Sonlite Records southern gospel group “The Scotts”. Even though he shared his talent, experience and expertise with other groups Tony was always writing, recording and studying everything he could about the business of music. After the Scotts Copeland relocated to Rhode Island and continued to play with various R&B bands. In 2000 he relocated to Mobile Alabama where he composed, produced and recorded his first Christian CD single entitled “Life is Worth Living” with the financial help from his close friend Morris Parsons and Mary Hobdy. In 2001 he relocated to Houston Texas where he released his next project entitled “Thank You Jesus”. The next project entitled “The Right Way” was released 2007.
Tony taught himself to play by listening to other great musicians and artist such as, Stanley Clarke, Fourplay, Johnnie “Guitar” Watson, Ron Smith formerly of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Earl Kluh etc…He composes, produces the music that he records. He is also director of Danay Music Publishing Co.
Even though Tony performs and understands various styles of music such as, Reggae, Funk, R&B, and Gospel, he truly loves the art of improvisation. Therefore, he is committed to the jazz audience, as he’s putting in the hard work that’s required in hope of bringing forth great and inspiring music to them all.
So in summary when you hear or see Tony Copeland, you'll get a mixture of the 80's 90's put together to come up with a current unique sound as never heard before. "It's got that positive vibe"
Contact info:
Tony Copeland
PO Box 740061
Houston TX 77274
TEL: 832-396-1905
http://www.teejaydeesproductions@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/tonycopeland7
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PANORAMIC VIEW Playlist notes
(Read Tony's details below revealing how each song came about)
ATLANTIC PACIFIC
“Atlantic Pacific” was written at a time when I was searching for the “next place” to perform, demonstrate or as you might say sell the product. As I was pondering on the thought, it occurred to me that where I desired to go, was from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast. After composing and producing the material I sit back to listen. When the song ended; it felt as though I had literally traveled from the Atlantic coast to the Pacificcoast . I must say, “It definitely has that nationaland international sounding flavor”.
CHANGETIME
“Changetime” is a composition which consists of sweet guitar melodies. It is full of motion and provides the listener with the freedom to soar mentally. When you lend your ear to this production, only then will you hear as well as understand the message in it, which is “A time for positive continual change”. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to dwell within the brighter side of life as this is one of the key components which results in peace, love and happiness.
AUDREY TIA
“Audrey Tia” was actually born by accident. Here’s the story. I was experimenting with new production techniques using a particular piece of recording gear. I composed a drum beat derived around the way he felt that day, which was “On a far away island somewhere” while sipping on some sort of colada. The beat gave birth to the piano melody, which gave birth to the chord structures, which gave birth to the bass patterns, which gave birth to the strings and horns which paved the way for my guitar lines. Now I needed a title. So I used the names of two sisters that he knew, whose names were respectfully, “Audrey” and Carolyn nicknamed “Tia”. It had a definite ring to it…a name fit for a Caribbean queen if you will. This music will actually take you there without a ship. Just sit back and listen to guitar octaves and specifically the Carlos Santana style licks within the song. This tune is definitely one of the highlights of the project. A great party song for any festive occasion!
ODE TO CHAD FAULKNER Jr.
“Ode to Chad Faulkner Jr.” is one of those musical pieces that immediately grows on you. It has a smooth international appeal. It changes melodic gears reminiscent to the smooth gearbox, of the Phantom Rolls Royce. In fact, it’s so smooth that I decided to title it after my first and only grandchild, "Chad Faulkner Jr." who was 7 days old when I composed it. I think that it has a "Phil Collins" feel to it. This is definitely a keeper.
TEEJAYDEES THEME
“Teejaydees Theme” Although there’s not a lot of syncopated lines, riffs or hooks this tune possesse's a lot of movement. I'm in the groove with the bouncy bass licks that all of a sudden, turn into these beautiful chords. As a teenager my best friend, Tyrone Carter (Drummer-deseased) and I, would ride around practically all day listening to “Stanley Clark” (Jazz- Bassist). This is where I learned to appreciate the art of bass playing.
KIMBERLY
“Kimberly” This track was composed during a very tense time in career. I literally operated the entire company (Teejaydees Productions). I served as the composer, musician, producer and whatever else required to include, recording engineer. At the time I was also a self employed contractor, operating as a long distance truck driver. As a favor to me by an associate, friend of ours Kimberly was asked to pick me (Tony) up after hauling a load of dry cement. She agreed and picked him up. Tony played a demo of his new music as she drove which she enjoyed. Tony asked if she would be willing to help with his companies administrative duties. She agreed to give it a try. She did such a fantastic job that Tony named this track after her. Tony stated, that this tune has a lot of class, attitude and intellect which is same way he categorizes her. Thanks Kimberly.
PANORAMIC VIEW
“Panoramic View” The project title cut is filled with lot’s of energy as well as harmonic horn lines. Here is where I take you on a journey to anywhere that you can imagine. It’s a tune that definitely has a panoramic sound. As you listen you can get the sense of the beautiful snow capped mountains of Colorado or the Switzerland mountain scene. It also has an R&B/Jazz feel to it. The tight drum track along with the silky smooth rhythm has that “Maze featuring Frankie Beverly” Happy Feelings groove.
GET UP
“Get Up “is a Jazz-Funk production which was inadvertently composed during the Panoramic View tracking process. It was one of those moments when I became stuck for lack of a better word. The producing aspect is indeed a hard, strenuous process you know. So you take an unused beat from yesterday, add a Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins type bass line and improvise the guitar lines and end up with a fresh new track. Now that we had this new track we had to get back to business. And that’s how the song got it's name.
JOYFUL NOISE
“Joyful Noise” was actually written about 10 years ago. I had just aquired a new piece of equipment and I needed to learn how to operate it. It was very peaceful that night as I began to fish around with the drum line. Next I laid down the chord structure followed by the bass line. It was well into the morning after much manual reading and mistakes, that I composed the melody, string line and last but not least the most beautiful part of the composition, the harp. I’ve listened to this cut while going to sleep many times over. I think it’s beautiful.
HOUSTON RAIN
“Houston Rain” is a jazzy upbeat track filled with loads of guitar riffs. Actually I was about to close the recording session for the night when I suddenly realized that it was raining cats and dogs. The thought was, "oh well I may as well compose another song rather than to get soaking wet." This is what I came up with. I actually made sure to listen to the rain as I produced the guitar and string lines. Houston Rain is one of those compositions that you drive to while it’s raining. Can’t you imagine your windshield wipers slowly dancing back and forth, as you drive along the freeway at night? Well I hope you get the point-It was raining when I composed “Houston Rain”, that how it got its name. (Smile)
CHANGETIME (Revised)
“Changetime Revised” is my favorite composition because of the freedom and movement of sound. It’s filled with feeling. If you listen closely you can hear the 70’s type bass line. I love the rich guitar riffs. It’s got that groove man! Go on turn it up and listen. Move…Move…MOVE!!! People love it from coast to coast. You definitely feel a season of change when listening to this cut.
FORWARD MARCH
“Forward March” signifies determination, purpose and movement. It compels one to go for the gusto in life, forever forward never looking back at what was. As in war, after the battle, the commander cry's “Forward March” the troops move on to confront the next phase of life.
PLAYIN
“Playin” has a great a rich jazz-dance feel to it. It just makes you want to hit the dance floor as you listen to Tony’s serious guitar licks. This is great for the mature party atmosphere. Playin is definitely a show closer.
In conclusion: There’s more to come from Jazz guitarist Tony Copeland
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