Anton Commissaris, @antoncego, is a music composer, pianist, and vocalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Anton loves all music but has a special place in his heart for Jazz, which he acquired from an early age.
How long have you been creating music?
2–3 years
Do you have a preferred genre?
Jazz
Tell us about your latest song, EP, or album.
The song was inspired by an old friend’s upcoming milestone birthday. He is such an extroverted bon vivant who soaks up every second of life and generates tremendous energy as a friend. I wanted to celebrate his joie de vivre with this song.
As it turns out, the song is being released as we emerge from more than two years of a global pandemic, and I believe it can remind us that we all need to get out of our comfort zones and seize the social interaction moment. Let’s not forget that life is for living.
The music has a funky shuffle style rhythm to it but is essentially a Jazz swinger with an R&B-Gospel style shout chorus. The song is about dancing, laughing, loving, and living your way through life. Every day is something new, which should bring gladness, not glumness.
The song also has a strong theme of love. Love everyone you know through both the good and the bad. The power and joy of love will ultimately get you through. Life is also about choices. We can choose to see the glass of life as half full or not. But if you open your mind you will find the sunshine.
The song also reflects on personal acceptance. We all make mistakes, but each of us also has unique qualities and something positive to add.
Are there any challenging aspects to writing and/or recording your music?
Getting the vocals right with the correct vocal technique and emotional connection.
Has your style evolved since the beginning of you career?
Yes, I have introduced more elements of blues, soul, and R&B into my jazz foundation.
What do you enjoy most about being a musician?
Composing a new song and wondering where it came from and then seeing where it takes me.
Playing live or recording in studio? Do you have a preference?
Playing live.
Do you have a preference… vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, or downloads?
No preference.
Are there any musicians who inspire you? What qualities do you admire about them?
Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Donny Hathaway on male vocals. Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, and Ms. Lauryn Hill on female vocals. Just unique voices of their generations and beyond. Cole Porter and Lennon-McCartney on composition. So many wonderful songs to choose from. Pure class.
Would you like to travel to other countries to perform your music? If so, what would be your first stop?
First Brazil, then Japan, France.
Are you currently working on any projects we should look out for?
I’m in between but I’m always brewing something.
