Tony Lannen Quartet

At 19, Tony Lannen has achieved many accomplishments in music usually attained by a performer many years his senior. At age 8, Tony would begin his musical career by playing percussion. It was only a year later that he would begin playing the double bass and electric bass, but it would become his primary instrument at age twelve. At age 13 he began his career as a composer/arranger writing orchestration for the musical Father Bingo which featured the Original Vandellas. Tony was a six year member of the Detroit Civic Orchestra under the direction of Charles Burke and The Detroit Civic Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Rodney Whitaker. He has performed at Orchestra Hall, Detroit Music Hall, Detroit Opera House, as well as at the Detroit International Jazz Fest were he played alongside Christian McBride. Tony was asked to perform with pianist Antonio Ciacca from Jazz at Lincoln Center at De'Gage Jazz Club in Toledo.
Following an early high school graduation, he immediately submitted his audition for the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and was accepted on the spot at his live audition. He was awarded a scholarship and is currently attending classes at the New School in NYC since January 2010.
Tony is a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians- Local 5. In June of 2009 Tony attended a meeting for "Music First" which was held at Wayne State University. The meeting was hosted by Congressman John Conyers. Panelists included Local 5 President Gordon Stump and singer Dionne Warwick. At the question and answer portion of the meeting Tony brought his voice to the movement. He explained that it is his generations that will carry on the legacy forged by the past and current greats of the music profession. Tony feels strongly that the young musicians need to step forward to take their place so that music will continue to grow and he expressed this to the panel and all in attendance. He told them he is willing to be the voice of the next generation of music. Tony's most recent accomplishment was winning the American Federation of Musicians President's Youth Award at the 98th Convention for the AFM. He proudly accepted the award and addressed the convention held in Las Vegas.
Tony loves to play all types of music from classical to jazz, blues to rock, and beyond. His goal is to be the voice of the new music generation. He wants to bring music to the people, inspire all ages to listen, enjoy, and pass it on for in doing that we guarantee music will stay alive and thrive. Tony can be heard throughout the Metro Detroit area including such clubs as: world famous Baker's Keyboard Lounge, Bert's Marketplace, Cliff Bell's, and Gizzmo's. His debut CD "Setting the Standard" is now available. 5 of the songs on the CD are Tony Lannen originals.