Erly Thornton Jazz Saxophonist Jazz Band from Orlando, FL

Playing the saxophone has always been emotionally intense for Erly Thornton. Each performance is a connection that this artist and his audience mutually enjoy! Born in Nashville into a family that had artistic talent on both sides, mother being a painter and father being a trumpet player, he had no choice but to experience a double dose of creativity from birth. Starting on the sax in the 5th grade, Erly was asked to play in front of “the boys”, his father’s musician friends, every weekend to the music of Ray Charles. His improvisational style started there. During the late 80’s Erly started college and began playing professionally for the first time in the Nashville area. In addition to performing in Nashville, Erly performed in the surrounding areas of Knoxville, Chattanooga and even spent some time on World Famous Beale Street in Memphis. Very soon Erly was performing in Central Florida with several groups as well as a solo act doing festivals, niteclub, corporate and private events! Erly began writing in 2004, composing many of the songs on his first solo release. Drawing from his past he initially decided to create music using the strong bass and drums of the R&B of his youth, creating funky Jazz licks over the top. With the project finally completed to his satisfaction, Erly performed tracks from “My Life” at his CD Release Party at The Beacon of Thornton Park in Orlando in March of 2008. On Stage /Recent Live Performances Erly is a seasoned performer having shared the stage with R&B artists Phil Perry, Glenn Jones and Howard Hewitt as a sideman during their performances in Nashville in the 90’s. In Orlando, he became the lead voice of B.One, an all original Jazz band that quickly became one of the hottest groups in Central Florida. B.One recorded two CDs, won a spot in the opening line up for WSJT’s Smooth Jazz Fest and opened for Spyro Gyra at the House of Blues in Orlando. Erly Thornton kicked off his solo career opening for The Rippingtons in Orlando in July 2007 and received a standing ovation! This should be no surprise to those who have been grooving to Erly’s music since the beginning of his career. Then Erly performed with original Jazz groups like Jerry Wilborn and Limited Access in Knoxville, and in Nashville with AyreTyte, a contemporary Jazz cover band. Erly performs for a large number of corporate and private events in addition to the list below. AS A SOLO ARTIST: WLOQ Jazz Jams at Uptown Altamonte WGRV Smooth Jazz Nites Out Oceanfront Concert Series Opening for the Rippingtons at the Bob Carr Jeff Kashiwa CD Release Party at Dino's, St. Petersburg City of Casselberry Jazz on the Green Concert SAP Users Group Convention at Orlando Convention Center Frontline Productions 1st Fridays Orlando Magic / Miami Heat game Club Taboo with Justin Guarini of American Idol Fame Circle of Friends Jazz Night Events at Universal Studios Press 101 Café Millennia Art Gallery for National Urban League UCF Athletics Various receptions and Events NAACP State Awards Dinner at Disney Coronada Springs City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Volunteer Services Awards WITH THE ROBERT HARRIS GROUP: New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival WLOQ Sunday Jazz Jams Naples Jazz By The Sea Lakeridge Winery Portofino Bay Hotel — Harbor Nights Uptown Altamonte Concert Series WITH B.ONE: WSJT Smooth Jazz Fest WLOQ Sunday Jazz Jam Concert Series WSJZ 2nd Annual Que Fest WLOQ Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival WLOQ 11th Anniversary Concert featuring Mindi Abair and Spyro Gyra WSJT Get Downtown Friday Night Series Kissimmee Jazz Festival Windermere Jazz Festival Universal Studios Portofino Bay Hotel, Harbor Nights Series Orlando Urban League Annual Gala opening for Melba Moore The City of Casselberry Jazz at Sunset Taste of Daytona San Sebastian Winery Lake Ridge Winery Erly can accomodate performing as a solo act with a "one man band" style of track performance, a trio or quarted with a combination of live musician and track performances, and as a full featured touring Jazz band. Erly can also secure vocalists if desired as part of his complement.