We could safely assume that some will not recognize the name but if you have listened to music over the past five decades or more, you will know the sound.
The music world lost a legendary bass player this week, Tony Markellis, a bass player’s bass player, passed away April 29th according to a statement released by the family. No further details were provided.
Markellis’ career spanned over four decades and many genres. It was said that he was a player, “who pretty much embodied the human metronome”-glide magazine
He was born and raised in Helena MT where his accomplished career began in the third grade as a member of the Ray Bjork Elementary School Orchestra and gained notoriety in the 60’s as a student at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Markellis became the go to bass player for visiting musicians to Ann Arbor and regularly could be heard in storied clubs like the Ark and Blind Pig.
Acting on a tip from Bonnie Raitt he headed east in the early 70’s to work with singer songwriter Joel Zoss. It was there that he learned of an opening in the ever evolving David Bromberg Band.
Markellis traveled to New York City and quickly found a musical home.Quoted as saying that it was the “most challenging and diverse musical experience a young musician could wish for”.
Markellis can also be heard playing with Paul Butterfield, The Mamas & the Papas, Johnny Shines, David Bromberg, and he was the founding member of memorable bands such as Vermont based jazz fusion group Kilimanjaro and the Orleans Krewe.
In 1998 he was tapped by longtime friend Trey Anastasio to be the foundation for a new band he was forming. Markellis spoke of the outcome saying “I can’t remember when I had so much fun playing music”. That relationship remained strong until the end.
In a statement released by Anastasio, Trey says that “He was the baddest bass player I’ve ever heard. I loved Tony, and I always will. I’m having a hard time processing this. Tony was the heartbeat to so much of my life, and to the lives of so many others. He played bass for my first dance with Sue at our wedding. We wrote First Tube and Sand together, and played so many years, so many memories”.
Anastasio continued to say. “I was very lucky to have had a very long phone conversation with Tony only a few days ago. We talked for almost two hours. We caught up on family, friends, and funny pandemic thoughts. It wasn’t often that we talked on the phone like that. I had no idea it would be our last conversation. Now it feels like it happened for a reason”.
Fellow TAB band member Natalie Cressman, who was not at a loss of words, put the time spent into very eloquent words, It’s hard to come up with the words to describe losing someone as dear to me as Tony. He was an uncle to me, my musical family for over a decade of touring and we shared countless laughs and deep conversations on long tour bus rides together. I will miss his brilliant wit, his big heart, and his indelible bass lines…
I hope the sound of his voice never fades in my memory. I’ll never forget his kindness - I was so lucky to be a part of his life. Rest easy, Tony, love you forever ❤️”
I think we all feel the same. The man may be gone but the bass lines will live on… -Tony Keffer 5-1-2021
watch Tony lay down the groove during last year's Beacon Jams
