UPPER LAKE >> Self-described as “eclectic and very soulful,” T.J. Elton soothed dinner guests at Blue Wing Saloon”s $20 Tuesday with his renditions of Boz Skaggs and Van Morrison, among others.
Elton, a singer, piano player and guitarist originally from Ukiah, has been playing music for nearly 38 years and has performed professionally for 35 of them. He travels up and down the Northwest, playing solo and with his band, The Felt-Tips. He plays regularly at the Blue Wing Saloon and the 101 Bar and Gill in Ukiah. He also travels to all of the wineries and fairs between the fairly large area of San Francisco and Southern Oregon. He sometimes takes his tunes as far north as Seattle.
The youngest of 10 kids, only two of Elton”s many siblings share his musical inclinations. His sister is a Grammy nominated producer and his brother is a piano player as well, though Elton quickly surpassed his brother”s skills. “I watched my brother play piano when I was younger and I just excelled faster than he ever did,” he said.
Elton owes his musical success to artists like Al Jarreau and Sammy Davis, Jr., who were a large part of his childhood. “I used to hang out with lots of different artists,” he explained. “They were all friends of mine and friends of our family growing up and they all encouraged me to keep singing and keep performing.”
Though it”s been years since he”s recorded any originals, Elton does still pen his own songs, even is he prefers to perform covers. “I still write music,” he said. “I just like to play other people”s music because people like to hear music they can sing along with and hear familiar tunes.”
Whether performing originals or borrowed tunes, Elton is inspired by the audience”s reaction to his music. “I find inspiration in my fan”s enjoyment,” he said. “It”s exhilarating for me as a musician to watch people enjoy music that I get to perform.”
Elton hopes that the future sees more children pursuing their musical interests. “I like to see kids getting involved with music at a young age,” he said. “I like to show kids how it”s done, how to sing Show kids that it”s okay to make it a career.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
