Raised in a military family, Tony Exum Jr. spent much of his childhood living abroad while keeping his Colorado summers. During those sunny Rocky Mountain days, young Exum sat captivated watching his uncle, Larry Francis Jr., perform on the saxophone for the U.S. Army band at Fort Carson. That early spark, combined with his mother’s extensive record collection filled with legends like Jeff Lorber, Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, and Najee, laid the foundation for what Exum would later coin his signature “Rhythm N Smooth” sound.

By age 18, Exum committed to his craft, entering the prestigious Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver to study under world-renowned saxophonist M. Lynn Baker and woodwind master Art Bouton. Developing an infectious stage presence defined by a wide smile, old-school R&B flirtatiousness, and playful instrumental battles with his bandmates, he quickly became a sought-after act, sharing regional stages and opening for legendary collectives like The Temptations, the Four Tops, and WAR. In May 2010, he declared his official arrival with his debut album, Finally, which garnered rave reviews across the national jazz landscape.

For over a decade, Exum operated as a fiercely independent artist, launching Exum Global Enterprises. His breakout moment arrived in 2019 with the hit single “My Name’s Tony,” a grooving track that gained international airplay and spent 12 weeks climbing the Smooth Jazz Network Top 100 chart. Beyond the stage, Exum expanded into broadcasting, hosting highly rated evening shows for Colorado Springs’ Jazz 93.5 FM and Denver’s KUVO JAZZ 89.3 FM, while also serving as a global brand ambassador for Kas’tell Vodka.
Exum was content as an indie artist, but his trajectory changed drastically when Lou Humphrey, CEO of BSE Recordings, heard Exum’s music and compared his talent to greats like Marion Meadows and Najee.

The backing of BSE Recordings has propelled him into several new landmarks. In 2025, Exum played a breathtaking rendition of the national anthem on his soprano saxophone at SoFi Stadium before 70,000 football fans and millions on television. Meanwhile, his collaboration “I Wanna Be Closer” alongside R&B icon Glenn Jones and Eric Nolan of the O’Jays soared to number one on the UK Amazon R&B charts.

Currently balancing radio hosting duties with a packed national touring schedule, Exum uses his music to weave a tapestry of joy, relaxation, and soulful rhythm, with a hint that the best is yet to come.

Tony teams up with powerhouse peer saxophonist Marcus Adams for a high-energy night of DOUBLE TROUBLE, Friday, September 4th.

Article written by Middle C Jazz Marketing Support, Scott Homewood.