Tony Copeland

“Tony Copeland” a jazz guitarist born and raised in a small port town called Portsmouth, Virginia. Located on the west side of the Elizabeth River it is also home to his distant cousin Hip-Hop mogul “Miss Elliot”. He’s also related to comedian Wanda Sykes and her older brother “Dukie” as they lived next door to each other in the rural area of “Pughsville” on Town Point Rd. as young siblings. 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 oldest 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 Tony honed his skills by watching and imitating the older guitar, bass and drum players. He was allowed to travel locally with various church members and national recording Artist at a young age.

Aka “Copeland” he is a graduate of Manor High School located in the same city. 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 secretly writing, recording and studying 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 and owns the music that he records. He is also owner 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. After years of planning, transformation, dedication, perseverance and hard work we at Danay Records along with Teejaydees Productions present to the world: “Panoramic View” /Tony Copeland