Erly Thornton's Page

Teaming up with Veit Renn, Renn Music Productions, the producer of Jennifer Hudson's first album, was the opportunity that allowed Erly the chance of a lifetime: To finally bring his music to the world.

THE REVIEWS OF THE CD HAVE BEEN PHENOMENAL! Thanks So Much! to everyone who has taken the time to pick up some of these really good tunes for their listening pleasure. In fact most people tell me once it goes in the the CD changer, it NEVER comes out!

To Listen to all of the songs on the album and order it, go to www.ErlyThornton.com

Order it from CD Baby:

It is also on sale digitally from the following sources:

US and Worldwide
Napster

Rhapsody
Amazon MP3

BRAND NEW ITEM! - Erly Thornton "My Life" T-Shirts!

All shirts are 100% Cotton, Heavy Grade, Quality, Fruit Of The Loom Brand, Shirts. Shirts have a 3 color picture of Erly Thornton in the same pose as on the CD "My Life" on the front and Erly's web site and 3 color "SaxMan" Logo on the rear. A must have Fashion Statement for the TRUE fan! PLEASE SPECIFY THE SIZE (S,M,L,XL) IN THE COMMENTS SECTION FOR YOUR ORDER!

Album Preview

Erly Thornton's new release, "My Life", reminds us of the good things in life; the times when we focus on ourselves and those important to us; a time when we forget about our problems and get lost in the music that touches our soul. Drawing from his musical experiences, he created tracks using strong bass and drums like the R&B of his youth, adding funky jazz licks over the top. Erly wanted to encompass the various grooves he had come to know and in collaboration with producer, Veit Renn included Latin & R&B flavored tracks such as “Mura De Cozumel”, “Free”, “Embarkation” and more. This collection of old school beats, fresh licks and melodies became “My Life” detailing the emotional experiences that we ALL have on a daily basis. Erly Thornton has provided you with a rare gift. The opportunity to refocus on life and the best it has to offer with just a push of a button. –Enjoy

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. Erly began studying the music in his room to learn every lick he could from jazz artists such as Herb Alpert, Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Najee, George Howard, Brecker Brother Band, and others, learning their works by memory. But he also felt the R&B and Funk of groups like Cameo, EWF, Zapp, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and The Time contributing to his multi-faceted style.

During the late 80’s Erly started college and began playing professionally for the first time in the Nashville area. In addition to performing Nashville, Erly performed in the surrounding areas of Knoxville, Chattanooga and even spent some time on World Famous Beale Street in Memphis.

Graduating from Tennessee State University in Electrical Engineering, in the 90’s Erly moved to Orlando where he began working in this field. However, leaving music behind turned out to be impossible. Very soon Erly was performing in Central Florida with several groups as well as a solo act. The unexpected breakup of one of the most successful of his Jazz groups thus far, B.One, prompted him to pursue a solo career in earnest.

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. The effort was initially titled “The Old School Beat” with the songs “Call It A Day”, “JJ’s Bounce” and “Grooveelatious”. In collaboration with Veit Renn of Renn Music Productions created songs such as “Free”, “Embarkation”. 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.