Tony Janflone Jr. knew by the age of 13 that he wanted to be a guitarist. Having begun playing at age 9, he was influenced by his father, also a guitarist, and by early exposure to a wide range of musical styles including Blues, Rock, R&B, Jazz, Country, and Classical music.
Beginning with the proverbial garage band, Tony progressed through his high school years earning the Louis Armstrong Award and the National Association of Jazz Educators Award for outstanding musicianship. After high school, he accepted the opportunity to tour nationally, performing in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City. Following a year on the road, he joined a band with his father and brother. While performing in New York, Tony met famed guitarist Pat Metheny, who commented in an interview with the Washington Observer-Reporter, “Tony is one burning guitar player… who I am confident will go on to greater fame.”
Tony later relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where he continued his education while teaching and performing throughout the San Antonio and Austin areas. Among his students was Henry Thomas, star of E.T. During this period, Tony worked with numerous groups and performed with legendary drummer Louis Bellson, demonstrating stylistic versatility ranging from jazz to mariachi to Texas swing. He also studied with Pat Martino, Jackie King, and classical guitarist Terry Muska.
Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Tony became one of the region’s most sought-after guitarists. He has performed extensively in local studios—including his own KEYTONES STUDIO—recording CDs, demos, and jingles. His writing and performance credits include commercials for Eat ‘n Park, Fisher’s Big Wheel, PPG Industries, The Gateway Clipper Fleet, and Blattner/Brunner.
Tony has enjoyed continued success with The Tony Janflone Jr. Band, earning five consecutive nominations for Pittsburgh’s Best Jazz/Blues Guitarist at the Stroh’s / In Pittsburgh Music Awards, along with wins for Best Album (Pieces), Best Vocalist, and Best Band in 1995. His performance credits include opening for or performing with B.B. King, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Joe Bonamassa, Hiram Bullock, Reb Beach, Tommy Castro, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Toninho Horta, Janis Siegel, Steely Dan, The Yellowjackets, David Sanborn, Joe Williams, Diane Reeves, The Manhattan Transfer, Larry Carlton, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Donnie Iris, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Ted Nugent, Jimmy Thackery, Richard Elliot, Brian Simpson, Rick Braun, Peabo Bryson, Gladys Knight, Sandi Patty, Chris Duarte, and Chicago.
In the spring of 1991, Tony appeared on Kenny Blake’s Interior Design (Heads Up Records), which climbed to #15 on the National and International Billboard Jazz Charts. Promotion for the release took him to New York’s Bottom Line and Washington, DC’s Blues Alley, and included nationally broadcast appearances on BET and Jazz on BET.
As a leader, Tony has released four projects: Profile (1991), Pieces (1994), In Time (1998, featuring Phil Madeira and John Sferra of the Phil Keaggy Band), and Live at the Blues Café (2000).
Tony was selected as a worldwide endorser for Evans Guitar Products (Vancouver, Canada), joining the ranks of Alex Lifeson (Rush), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), and Jeff Healey. He has served as a clinician for Evans Pickups and conducted clinics at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and the Guitar Workshop in San Antonio, Texas.
In July 1994, Tony and his band performed at the Major League All-Star Pre-Game Gala and for the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization during the All-Star Game. He was also the featured guitarist on PBS’s Heroes documentary with Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood). His composition “Hey, Wake Up!” from Pieces was used as the opening theme for the Molson 500, broadcast nationally on ABC Television in the summer of 1995.
In 2002, Tony was a featured performer on The Lords of Karma: A Tribute to Vai / Satriani (Versailles Records), an international release honoring Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, performing Vai’s “Tender Surrender.”
Bob Keelaghan, Guitar One Magazine (May 2002), wrote:
“Tony Janflone Jr. passionately executes a wide range of Vai-inspired tricks including huge bends, smooth legato phrasing, wide interval jumps and blinding scalar runs.”
Currently, Tony works out of KeyTones Studio for KeyTones Creative Productions. He is preparing two CD releases—Tone Poems Vol. 1 and Live at the Blues Café: 25th Anniversary Edition—slated for January 2026, while continuing to produce YouTube content and develop instructional and motivational material.
Here is what some people have had to say about Tony :
The Gavin Report, (an international music trade publication) says,”One of our favorite undiscovered talents”.
“A guitarist’s guitarist …….His playing is stellar. His voice is passionate. ” EarBuzz.com.
“Really nice playing and fine compositions”
Famed guitarist Eric Johnson