I first saw Tony Cummins playing as a solo act last year a few times in the Rooftop of the Biosfera Shopping Centre when live music was still on. It was very nice to relax and enjoy the music while sipping a cold drink and enjoying the views from up there. I was saddened when that kind of entertainment was suspended as it had become a bit of a Sunday ritual for me. However, I traced him on social media and got in touch with him recently to see if he would be interested in being interviewed for our readers. Here is the result, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed meeting this true gentleman.
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Hi Tony, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. First of all, do you have a stage name?
On my own I just go by Anthony. I also am one half of The Ska Duo, alongside Julie Helliwell and I am the sax player with The Skatoons.
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from London but my dad was from Tipperary in Ireland and my mum is from Glasgow.
Mmm, that’s an interesting mix! How long have you lived in Lanzarote?
It’s been five years and three months. And counting!
And what brought you here in the first place?
I have lived in Gran Canaria with my fiancée Karen before. Then unfortunately my ex-wife passed away so we went back to England to be with the children for a while. We still wanted to come back to Spain and when it was time, we decided to try somewhere different. A friend recommended Lanzarote… and here we are.
What do you like about the island?
The good weather all year round is a big pull. It’s a happy place, lively and cheerful.
What is your favourite place in Lanzarote?
For food I really like a restaurant called La Bohemia in Costa Teguise, which is where I live. I also love to walk along the sea front as well with my fiancée, although sometimes we do venture a bit up the mountains too.
Good stuff. Let’s get back to the music. What do you sing and play?
I’m learning to play the guitar at the moment but when I perform, I sing & play the sax. My repertoire goes from the Rat Pack, Neil Diamond, Jazz and Ska, obviously.
Who is your idol, musically speaking?
My favourite Ska band is Madness. For the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc. And in terms of Jazz, my two favourite sax players are David Sanborn and Grover Washington Jr.
How would you describe your gigs and your music for someone who’s never heard you before?
Any one attending my gigs can expect fun and to enjoy themselves, even dance when it was allowed. I like to interact with the audience, requests are welcome, for example, and if I know the song, I’ll sing it or play it.
Do you have any special projects coming up?
Well, I am working on adding some more Blues Brothers tunes to my solo act repertoire.
At the moment live gigs are difficult, if not impossible, to carry out. Do you do any livestreaming?
Yes, I do indeed. On Wednesdays, I used to do from 5 to 7pm but I’m changing it to 6 to 8pm. On Fridays I do 6 to 8pm and on Sundays, I do 5 to 7pm. Friday sessions are Ska whereas the other two are a mix of Ska, Rat Pack and saxophone classics too. Until we were allowed, we did some livestreaming with The Ska Duo, but because of the current restrictions we are not being able to visit each other houses so these sessions have been put on hold. We haven’t performed with The Skatoons for nearly a year!
I know, it’s such a pity, isn’t it? How can our readers keep up to date with your gigs (when they will be allowed again) and livestreams?
The best way is to follow my Facebook page (links below).
And finally, anything else you would like to tell your fans, something they might still not know about you?
I am a scooter enthusiast and I am a member of the Lanzarote Scooter Club. It’s only a small group of about ten people, both Spanish and English, who share the love for scooters. Prior the times we are living, we used to meet up twice a week and go around the island. It’s a great way to discover all the places Lanzarote has to offer.
Wow, it certainly sounds like a fun way to do it. Listen, Tony, thank you so much for your time & for the music! Best of luck & hopefully we’ll be able to enjoy your gigs live soon.
*****
Anthony’s page: https://www.facebook.com/Anthony-Lanzarote-1486075564965816/
Antony’s PayPal account: http://paypal.me/AnthonyCummins1960
The Ska Duo’s page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSkaDuo/
The Skatoons’ page: https://www.facebook.com/theskatoons
Lanzarote Scooter Club’s page: https://www.facebook.com/Lanzarote-Scooter-Club-145637069449193
