“From the moment I first held a tuba at 12 years old, I knew this instrument would become far more than just a hobby—it would transform into my life’s passion and purpose.”
For Antonio Tony Underwood, Founder and CEO of Tone-East Music LLC, this pivotal moment of childhood musical discovery sparked a lifelong journey to reshape perspectives on the tuba’s vast artistic potential. His deep-rooted love for the oft-overlooked brass instrument laid the foundation for a multifaceted career as a performer, producer, educator, and innovator.
Beyond his role as a musician and producer, Antonio is a passionate educator and advocate for the arts. As a Fulbright Cultural Ambassador, he pioneered a teaching method that bridged classical and jazz music, inspiring students to embrace improvisation and explore new musical horizons. His dedication to education extends to the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he is developing a comprehensive jazz program to fill a crucial gap in the country’s music curriculum.
Antonio is a multifaceted individual whose journey in music and academia is marked by a deep-seated passion for innovation, collaboration, and education. Based in West Virginia, he serves as the Founder, Owner, Producer, and CEO of Tone-East Music LLC, where he has consistently sought to redefine the presentation of the tuba and foster a comprehensive understanding of music among students.
Antonio’s musical journey began at the age of 12, when he discovered his affinity for the tuba. Under the guidance of his high school band director, he embarked on a path that would ultimately lead him to pursue a music career. His zeal to the instrument, coupled with his innate talent, laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Throughout his career, Antonio has navigated challenges with resilience and determination, drawing inspiration from his experiences and the individuals who have shaped his journey. His pledge to superiority and novelty has earned him recognition as a leader in the music industry and a champion for the arts in society.
Let us learn more about his journey:
Inception Story
After departing from the Yale School of Music and immersing himself in the vibrant Jazz and Theatre scene of Manhattan, New York City, Antonio’s vision crystallized around 1988. While teaching at a public high school, he conceived of a company that would not only showcase the tuba, an instrument he was actively performing with, but also foster an environment for students to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of practice, technique, historical context, and theoretical knowledge across the entire musical spectrum. He witnessed firsthand the deficiencies within the primary, secondary, and tertiary education systems.
In 1994, Tone-East Music, LLC, emerged as a production entity in Englewood, New Jersey (officially incorporated in 1997), coinciding with Antonio’s innovative percussion course instruction at middle and high school levels. The inception of Tone-East Music occurred when Antonio was commissioned to compose, write, and produce five pieces for the debut CD “Trent Song” by Jazz Saxello virtuoso John Purcell, released by Pony Canyon Records in Japan.
Balancing Creative Pursuits
In a thoughtful response, Antonio shares his insights on the profound impact of music on the heart and soul, the unexpected connections it can foster, and the educational process that unfolds through creative composition.
He believes that caring for music can yield diverse outcomes, as what one invests in it is reciprocated back through a profound connection. Surprisingly, individuals whom one may not expect could become enthusiasts or colleagues in this shared passion. Nurturing music holds profound rewards for all who engage with it.
In the realm of creative composition, pursuing development often unfolds into a teaching moment, offering innovative insights into production approaches and fostering reflection. Consistency and recall are integral aspects of the creative process, alongside the individual’s capacity, capabilities, and learned physical techniques. In the arts, what is created mirrors what is produced, culminating in an educational process that reinforces existing knowledge while igniting curiosity for more.
Antonio finds the phenomenon of attempting to record a spontaneous musical piece—notes, attacks, breath support, and phrasing—both intriguing and inspiring. Upon listening back, replicating the exact phrase and inflections proves challenging, fueling a deep-seated passion for music within Antonio. This passion drives him to continuously explore and expand his creative boundaries while sharing his knowledge and insights with others through his roles in education and production.
Collaboration with Other Artists
Antonio emphasizes the importance of tuning in to the strengths and weaknesses of those you work with, ensuring a harmonious fit for the desired genre and style. However, he cautions against overdoing it or overproducing the final product.
When outsourcing to unfamiliar artists or technicians, Antonio stresses the significance of verifying their qualifications and capabilities. He advises seeking trustworthy references to ensure a smooth collaboration. In the modern era, he suggests leveraging tools like Zoom to facilitate discussions about the project’s nuances, enabling all involved parties to grasp the expectations clearly.
For larger ensemble projects, he recommends working closely with unions and relying on familiar referrals. When performing for others, he emphasizes the importance of staying focused and appreciating the opportunity. By adopting this multifaceted approach, he manages the complexities of collaborative artistry, drawing upon his vast experience to create exceptional works.
Impact on the Music Industry
Tone East Music LLC has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to showcasing the tuba’s distinctive sound through meticulously crafted compositions and arrangements. With a robust catalog of over 40 songs featuring pop scores, the company has successfully garnered a devoted fan base that appreciates the tuba’s warmth, sensitivity, and mood-enhancing properties in solo performances. The tuba’s emotive qualities have resonated with listeners worldwide, as evidenced by the significant streaming numbers on Radio Airplay (Jango). Furthermore, Tone East Music’s music has been distributed through major platforms, including iHeartRadio and Pandora, thereby expanding its reach and exposure.
By leveraging the tuba’s unique sonic capabilities to evoke powerful emotions, Tone East Music has developed a distinctive audiovisual experience known as Tone Poems. This innovative approach has enabled the company to create a truly immersive and captivating experience for its audience, setting it apart from other music producers.
Tone East Music’s impressive achievements include:
- The most tuba recordings in history, with 18 completed CDs in distribution and 5 more in production
- Worldwide streaming 24 hours a day, showcasing their cross-cultural pop, classical, and jazz music.
- A multi-genre body of work that explores unique musical landscapes and sounds, setting them apart from other solo tuba artists
- A growing popular audience movement, drawn to their distinctive and captivating sound
We measure our success by the listening public and fan base, asserts Antonio.
Tony Underwood – Tone East Music Radio
Setbacks on the Path
The opportunity to embark on this journey is not something one can simply decide; rather, it chooses you. To undertake the projects Antonio pursued requires a deep-seated calling and innate love and compassion in one’s heart. This passion must then be translated into action, extending beyond one’s initial plans and embracing unexpected opportunities. As his family often remarked, “It’s a gift and a curse!” Indeed, while this path brings its share of challenges, it also offers remarkable opportunities for personal growth.
Creating music and connecting with people is a profound blessing, one that he approaches with reverence and keenness. Over the past 25+ years, Antonio has honed his craft with virtual instruments, crafting musical expressions and mood-enhancing works featuring the tuba. This journey has positioned him as a leading figure in tuba repertoire on a global scale, with his records seamlessly integrating into the digital landscape of its era.
“For every failure or disappointment, there are some wonderful events that we either don’t remember or have to find faith to see happen. Draw from the good in your life,” highlights Antonio.
Memorable Moment from McCoy Tyner Big Band
Antonio recounts a pivotal moment in his life, describing the experience of performing with the legendary pianist McCoy Tyner. He recalls the band, hand-picked by Tyner, as a living organism with a unique pulse, drive, and powerful expression in the ecosystem of jazz. This experience, he says, was a great moment in his life, exemplifying the concept of “it chooses you.”
He remembers receiving the call to play in Tyner’s “30th Year in Music” concert at Avery Fisher Hall (Geffen Hall) at Lincoln Center in New York City. It was a significant moment, as he had not played with Tyner since being called to perform at Fat Tuesdays while a student at Yale. The sound check was intense, with no music, and the concert was packed with cameras and the energy of New York City.
Before going on stage, Tyner looked at Antonio and said, “Just play the Blues.” Antonio, sitting in the saxophone section with a microphone in the bell of his horn, felt like he was going through “Trial by Fire.” Despite the pressure, he must have done well, as he became a 20-year member of the group and even won a Grammy Award.
Tyner, a pianist for the iconic saxophonist John Coltrane, played a significant role in his credibility on the international jazz scene. His early years with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and classical music education at Yale University laid the foundation for his career. Backstage, during concert intermissions, he would often talk with Tyner about the legacy and experiences of the jazz music business, learning firsthand from a one-of-a-kind master. Tyner’s unique playing style continues to influence generations of performers and students, and the many talks on the phone and “gigs” around the world remain priceless memories of time spent with true greatness.
Roles as a Music Writer, Educator, and Producer
Antonio has carved out a remarkable niche for himself, seamlessly balancing the roles of music writer, educator, and producer. This multifaceted approach to his craft has not only enriched his own artistic expression but has also left an indelible mark on the lives of those he has touched.
For him, the act of writing music is akin to a way of life, a natural extension of his being. He approaches each composition with meticulous attention to detail, meticulously crafting sonic tapestries that evoke a range of emotions and experiences. The process of writing a creative music methodology book, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive jazz program at the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a testament to his devotion and vision.
Antonio’s role as an educator is equally fulfilling, as he has been invited by the Academy of Music in Sarajevo to develop classes in history, literature, theory, and applied practicum. In a country where jazz and contemporary music curricula are scarce, his expertise and passion have the power to shape the musical landscape for generations to come. The Zoom classes he conducted during the pandemic were particularly fruitful, as he was able to connect with students across borders and share his wealth of knowledge.
As a producer, Antonio’s work is a true labor of love. The 18 CDs he has produced reflect his versatility and mastery of the craft, as he explores different approaches to writing, programming, orchestrating, and mixing. Each track is a unique sonic narrative, with him meticulously shaping the atmosphere and mood through his creative choices. The upcoming release of “A Tuba Story,” featuring a diverse ensemble of musicians, is a testament to his ability to bring together disparate talents and forge a cohesive, captivating musical experience.
For him, the most fulfilling aspect of his work lies in the seamless integration of these diverse roles. The act of writing, educating, and producing is not merely a series of tasks, but a holistic expression of his artistic vision. The organic conceptions that arise from his work, the ability to inspire and shape the next generation of musicians, and the joy of hearing his compositions come to life through the lens of different interpretations—these are the elements that truly fulfill Antonio and drive him to continue pushing the boundaries of his craft.
Lessons from a Lifelong Learner
Antonio reflected on the most important lesson he had learned throughout his career—a realization that came not from the confines of the classroom but from the expansive “school with no walls” of real-world experience.
He acknowledged that much of what is taught in college, while foundational, fails to fully prepare one for the realities of the working world. “Most of the things you learn in college are very difficult to realize without life experience,” he observed. The patterns of academic training, he noted, differ significantly from the rhythms and demands of the professional sphere. “School is so necessary for fundamentals. Life teaches you the rest of the alphabet!”
Rather than forcing his path or succumbing to frustration, Antonio emphasized the importance of patience and adaptability. “Be patient with how your life unfolds while staying on task,” he advised. “It can show you some surprises.” This openness to the unexpected has served him well, allowing Antonio to navigate the challenges of his creative work with a flexible, innovative mindset.
He has been fortunate to learn from a diverse array of creative professionals, including “uniquely creative artists, teachers, and business leaders.” These mentors have not only inspired him but have also demonstrated the profound impact one can have on society through their contributions. Moreover, he has learned the lessons that can be gleaned from his own mistakes, recognizing that “Don’t look back at obstacles and learn from mistakes!” is a crucial component of his personal and professional growth.
Ultimately, his journey has been one of continuous learning, from the foundational knowledge gained in the classroom to the invaluable wisdom imparted by life experience. By remaining open-minded, patient, and grateful, he has cultivated a mindset that has served him well in navigating the complexities of his creative pursuits.
Emerging Artists Seeking to Break into the Music
Advising the aspiring artists, Antonio shares, “Get with the right agent, manager, and producer. Let it choose you! Or get known in the particular community you want to work in. You don’t need 10 producers for 10 different tracks. One that chooses you and knows at what level you are on and how to take you to the next. There is so much going on with young people’s perspective of the industry as a whole. Major changes are coming to the industry, and the most popular. It is a foregone conclusion that there’s a very vivid magnifying glass scorching the industry right now; new voices are to be heard, so there’s hope for young, innovative voices. We support young talent with proper teaching and practical application of fundamentals at different levels. So, find yourself! And you will be found…”
Vision and Goals
Antonio, in his role as the Mid-Atlantic District Vice-President of Yale Science & Engineering Association, Inc. (2024-26), envisions a future where diverse ideas and concepts are seamlessly integrated to drive progress and innovation. He recognizes the significance of the Board’s cultural diversity as a platform for exchanging a wide range of perspectives and insights.
One of Antonio’s primary goals is to foster a more interdisciplinary approach to project initiatives. He believes that music, with its multifaceted aspects of awareness, has the potential to bridge various disciplines, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, and Mathematics. From the development of scales based on the equidistance of stars to the acoustical properties that enable the perception of intervallic frequencies and the harmonic series of notes and their overtones, music serves as a unifying force.
Furthermore, Antonio emphasizes the importance of incorporating the practical events of society and everyday life into the association’s initiatives. He firmly believes that maintaining a strong connection to the human experience and ensuring the proper development of children is crucial for preserving humanity. Music, with its universal appeal, has the power to speak to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, transcending boundaries and fostering a sense of unity.
As the Mid-Atlantic District Vice President, Antonio aims to leverage his vision and expertise to create a collaborative environment where ideas can flourish, disciplines can intersect, and progress can be achieved in a manner that prioritizes the well-being and advancement of humanity as a whole.
