Tony Ozier: The Multi-instrumentalist Talks Becoming A Portland Funk Pioneer
Photos provided by Tony Ozier
By Lorcan Stokes
Tony Ozier, a Chicago-born, Texas-raised, and now Portland-based musician, was born destined for a life in music. With a family deeply rooted in lyrical traditions—his grandfather a gospel musician and his father, aunt, and uncles all singers—Ozier's path seemed preordained. Today, he stands as a prominent figure in Portland's dynamic music scene known for his blend of soul, funk, and multi-instrumental tracks. Although initially interested in pursuing a basketball career, life had different plans after the dream ended.
"I was just like, all right, what am I gonna do? And I ended up starting to make music," he recalled.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a remarkable career as a funk extraordinaire.
"I always thought I was more R&B. I knew it was funk, but I've always considered it like R&B," Ozier said. "When I moved to LA, I was always told my music, wasn't R&B enough, or it wasn't Hip Hop enough, or it wasn't pop enough. But the one thing I knew about it is that it was funky."
For Ozier, the label works fine by him. Ozier's multifaceted musical education—playing percussion in high school bands and being influenced by the rich musical landscapes of Texas and Michigan, where his wife is from—shaped his unique sound that he has changed and adapted over the years.
"The thing about funk is funk encompasses all music, from gospel to jazz to blues. It has everything in it," Ozier said. "I think funk stuck is because I like to make all those types of music, and the one thing that you can connect, the only connection between them, is the funk."
Initially starting in Los Angeles before moving to Atlanta, Ozier meticulously crafted his debut album, Mental Candy, over seven years, culminating in its release in 2006 and making his signature sound.
"I had been recording since 99 so I had about 35 songs, 40 songs," Ozier explained. Shortly after, he and his wife moved to Europe before returning to the U.S. and landing in Michigan where his wife was from.
"I had musical people there as well, and we were like, 'Okay, we're going to be in Michigan for one year, but I can't stay here because it's too cold," Ozier said. "I'm from Texas. We need to be where it does not snow. And so I had a friend of mine who had been telling me that I should move to Portland for a number of years."
Ozier nor his wife had ever been to Portland but they made the move anyway. In 2007, just a year after the accumulation of Mental Candy, Ozier moved to Oregon, where he founded and led the Doo Doo Funk All-Stars, a 10-piece collective of heavy-hitting soul/R&B musicians. With Tony as the lead, the band throws a monthly “Dookie Jam” that has been going steady in Portland since 2008.
"It's changed quite a bit. in the beginning, I was the only person with an album, or even work with like being an artist. Now everyone is," Ozier exclaimed. "You got Steve Watkins, who's doing crazy things. Allen Stone's band, André Zapata, Tyrone Hendrix, that's Doo Doo Funk 100%."
Today, Ozier, alongside his monthly jam sessions, continues to inspire and nurture young talent as the head engineer and facilitator of musical workshops at the Bodecker Foundation. "Our mission is to spark young people to realize their creative power through immersive learning experiences," he said. Their work involves getting youth involved with artistic ventures as well as scholarships.
Looking back on his illustrious career, Ozier highlights his proudest moments came when he hosted the likes of Texas Icon DJ Premier in his Portland studio collaborating with the Portland orchestra, and singing backgrounds for Rick Springfield. "I grew up listening to probably five or six songs that we sang. It took me deep back to my childhood, and so to be up there with the full-on orchestra performing with Rick Springfield," Ozier explained. "I thought that was huge."
From his early gospel roots to becoming a trailblazer in Portland’s vibrant funk scene, Ozier’s journey is still going strong.
"The journey has been a steady incline the entire time. I don't think I would change it at all," Ozier reflects. "I'm loving where I am right now. I'm able to make music at the highest level, which was my dream from the beginning."
