One of the finest Bass players in India, Tony Vaz is no more.
He passed away on 29th June 2007. May his soul rest in peace…
A favourite of RD Burman (who saw him play in a hotel once and then never composed any songs without him), Bappi Lahiri and a host of other music directors including Vishal Bahrdwaj who used him for the film Maachis.
Tony Vaz was suffering from severe diabetes and after a paralytic attack forced him out of the circuit, his last days in bed were sadly miserable with no help from any of his friends or relatives.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=165973
This was an article published in The Times Of India on 4th September 2003.
I always respected Vishal Bhardwaj as a musician; after reading this article, I respect him more for the person he is.
Some of Tony Vaz’s cool bass lines:
1. Tu Tu Hai Wohi – Ye Wada Raha
2. Jaane Do Na – Sagar
3. Tujhse Haseen Dekha Na – Harjaee
4. Pyar Hame Kis Mod Pe – Satte pe Satta
5. Mera Kuch Saman – Izazat
6. Silk Hawa Choo Gayi – Libaas
8. Tujhse Naraj Nahi Zindagi – Masoom
9. Aisa Sama Na Hota – Zameen Aasman
10. O Babua – Sadma
11. Mere Khwaab Me Jo Aaye – DDLJ
12. Tumse Milke – Parinda
13. Pyar Karne Wale – Shaan
… there a thousand more gems like this.
Tony Vaz is not there anymore, but whenever you are listening to a classic from the 70s, 80s and 90s and hear distinct bass lines, chances are that he is standing right besides you and enjoying the song with you!
GOD BLESS YOU TONY AND THANKS FOR THE GOOD MUSIC!!!!
Photo Courtesy: Manish Kulkarni – Ace Bassist and student of Tony Vaz Sir
Dear friend,
Sad to hear Tony’s demise. May his soul rest in heaven. May I request you to send one of his photographs?
Regards
Irfan
have added a couple of photos, please have a look
Sorry pal,
I didn’t find any photos till date.
But I am loiking for one too, I’ll post it as soon as a find one.
Regards
NSP
Tony vaz was my known uncles bass teacher…u’ll find his photos in his profile pictures!! My known uncle is not anyone else..than Manish kulkarni a well known bass guitarist currently in sonu nigams band !thank u !!
Hello Padmanabhan Jee, Regards, I have some of his photos as Our organization had felicitated Tony Vaz in 2003
Thanx Mr Padmanabhan.
Hi Poopsie
Was on the net looking for more info on Tony Vaz, when I stumbled upon this site of yours. Although I knew that he was down in life, I am really shocked to hear that he is no more.
God bless his soul. Pancham’s got real good company up there.
Hi
May his soul rest in heaven. We all miss u ……
We always remeber’s you when we listening your songs.
You are the superstar !!!!
I had the oppurtunity of witnesing Tony Vaz pal the bass guitar for the recording of the song Jaane Jaan from Samnam teri Kasam through a musician’s contact. I was a guest at the recording studio–Mehboob. He has played so well. Nobody can match him in his style for centuries to come.
PAresh
Thanks a lot, dear Padmanabhan Sab.
In fact, I have been one of the biggest fan of the one & Only One R D Burman..!!
I madly love to listen the songs you have mentioned since their release thru’ the films..!!
I mad mad madly love to listen R D’s Bazz Guitar in all his songs. I really feel excited that those were played by Tony Vaz. I have just come to know the name of the artist.!!
Pl Pl Pl arrange to send Tony’s Photo/ video or any more information available. It will be a great pleasure for me seeing first time the photo of a Artist after his great quality carrier with RD and his sad death…!!, I have been in “MAD love” with the style of playing Bazz Guitar of him..!!
Padmanabhan Sab,
Pl Pl Pl arrange to send Tony’s Photo/ video or any more information available. It will be a great pleasure for me seeing first time the photo of a Artist after his great quality carrier with RD and his sad death…!!, I have been in “MAD love” with the style of playing Bazz Guitar of him..!!
Really Sorry Jitesh
I have really been hunting for it, and I have not yet received any photos, but I will keep trying and surely let you know
Regards
Padmanabhan
As the days will go, we will realize how great musician was he. He belonged to that rare breed of musicians who were great in their field but remained unsung hero. Who can forget the bass lines mentioned in this page.
With regards,
Swapan Das
Calcutta
I have a Photograph of Tony Vaz…………. and if u give me ur email I’l send u the photo
sumitbhal@yahoo.com please send me a photo thanks 🙂
Sir,
My email address: jitbud@rediffmail.com
If I can get photos/ videos of Dear Tony, I will be very very greatful to you sir.
I could receive one from a Panchamite Shankhji and I love to see it but it is of his last weak days. I can not see him in such a tragic condition. I want o see Dear Tony in his full mood and full form.
PL PL send me photos / videos of Dear Tony.
Regards
jitesh
sir .plz send me Mr.Tony Vaz’s photograph.
thanks…was trying to find the bass player on discco dance….very cool
Looks like you are a true specialist. Did ya study about the matter? haha
This apart he has immense contribution that cannot be counted in many of RD’s bengali puja songs. Songs such as Daak Pathale, Ekta Deshlai Kathi Jalao, Paliye Jete Chaai and many more!!!!!!!
any bass tabs for Tony’s bass line?
I AM THE GREATEST FAN OF R D BURMAN AND ALL HIS TEAM THEY ARE ALL genious .tony vaz is the genious bass guitarist
Extrimely desired for Tony’s Photto, Padmanabhanji ??
Good post. There is no doubt about Tony’s immense contribution to Pancham’s music. One small note: The bass line in Jaanejaan Dhoondta Phir Raha is played by Charanjeet Singh and not Tony Vaz. Charanjeet Singh was the earliest of Bass players for Panchamda.
i want fotos too. . . We love him and miss him alot. . . Which hospital did he die at? Where did he exactly live?
Acute need of a Photto of Dear Tony, Sir.
Pl Help me sir.
Regards,
Dear Friends
I am a big fan of Tony Vaz as i feel he was the backbone of Panchamda’s music. its really sad that he is no more but im thankful for all the good music we have because of him. may the great soul rest in peace
*IMP* If any body wants photos of him i have some please contact me 🙂
sumitbhal@yahoo.com
Sumit,
My email address: jitbud@rediffmail.com
If I can get photos/ videos of Dear Tony, I will be very very greatful to you.
I could receive one from a Panchamite Shankhji and I love to see it but it is of his last weak days. I can not see him in such a tragic condition. I want o see Dear Tony in his full mood and full form.
PL PL send me photos / videos of Dear Tony.
Regards
jitesh
Dear Sumit,
My email address: jitbud@rediffmail.com
If I can get photos/ videos of Dear Tony, I will be very very greatful to you.
I could receive one from a Panchamite Shankhji and I love to see it but it is of his last weak days. I can not see him in such a tragic condition. I want o see Dear Tony in his full mood and full form.
PL PL send me photos / videos of Dear Tony.
Regards
jitesh
Pl. can anyone mail me Mr Tony’s photo! I know where his Bass Guitar lies!! The most finest bass guitars ive ever seen!
punit.lotia@gmail.com
Pl. help!
Thanks for your heartfelt tribute, it is really strange that in the most populated country of the world, one man who literally played all the cool bass lines of 3 decades is known to a few! Somehow the music-culture has very little respects for musicians, some singers I know personally refer to them as “hands”. The leading singers and to a lesser extent Music directors get the limelight. Tony deserves a documentary..and as an aside..keep writing dude..it is 2011!!!
Please send photo and other information to me at biju_1979@yahoo.com.I am huge fan of Panchamda and his team.
RD Burman’s Aaj Ka Din Na Jaane Kyon Achcha Lagta Hai (Anokha Rishta) has some incredible bass “duets” with Asha. Not a proper comparison but Tony outdid Asha’s vocals.
I just listened to it and you are absolutely right. Thanks.
Here is a video of Tony Vaz playing in a live show with Kishore Kumar ironically the song is Kabhi Alvida na kehna – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DksvSs5Z4qY
Dear Mr Padmanabhan,
Thank you for the info, i found this page when i was searching who the bass guitarist was on Jaane Jaan Dhoondta.. RD, Kishore and Asha have got so much credit for this song, no doubt they created one of the best bollywood numbers ever, but for me Tony Vaz owns this song.. I have found his picture as well.. Find it in the below link.
Thank you once again..
-Prashanth (Bangalore)
Hi , if any body of u have a live video of Mr tony vaz , plz post
Listen and See Tony Vaz (very young with Guitar) and Manohari (With Flute): Youtube video Kishorekumar live with Kalyanji Ananji; Song: Zindagi Ka Safar hai ye kaisa safar at 1.09 min: sec
Listen and See Tony Vaz (very young with Guitar) and Manohari (With Flute): Youtube video Kishorekumar live with Kalyanji Ananji; Song: Zindagi Ka Safar hai ye kaisa safar at 1.09 min: sec. I feel myself very lucky as Tony has fulfilled my wish to see him young playing his instrument. Thanks a lot loRD.
Is It possible to get a list of all songs where bass was credited to Mr. Tony Vaz?
Is there any repository that lists such credits to musicians who played in the Indian film industry?
Thank you for the information on the late Tony Vaz sir. Though I have been listening to hindi songs for a long time I never knew the person playing the bass. Such great melodies. May his soul rest in peace.
one of the best song by tony vaz is dheere dheere jara jara hone laga from agar tum na hote where the credit goes to tony sir
Jaane ja dhoondta phir raha was the song that got me to search for the bass player couple of years ago. Saddened to find out about Sir Tony’s miserable last days and that I was too late to help.
You are ahead of your time Sir Tony. Your bass and countless bass players to come will know the true value of a soul like you. You are immortal in the music you have created. As some one pointed out, you are right next watching us listen to your songs.
God is lucky on the other side to watch and listen to you play!