Some of Miami’s most iconic musicians are being delivered to Key Biscayne’s doorstep as the ultimate gift this holiday season.
Coming to Gramps Getaway (in the same plaza as Rusty Pelican) on Dec. 13, is a band with born and bred South Florida musicians, breaking musical molds and fusing 60s Boogaloo with Latin Soul, Son and Afro-Funk.
A mix of Celia Cruz salsa with James Brown funk, the beating heart of Tony and the Kings are seven ultra-talented members: Antonio Rivera (vocals, guitar, percussion) with Eddie Garcia Jr. (drums), Danny Naval (congas, percussion), Matt Pyatt (bass), Robert Smiley (sax), and Charles Gardner (keys).
Tony & The Kings performing live from the Grove.
Screenshot / YouTube / Tiki Tumbao
The collective was officially formed in 2022, but the musicians go way back. They had played together for years in different bands and eventually made the mutual decision to embark on a project of their own.
“That’s the coolest thing about this band,” Garcia said. “We were all in agreement before we even started. We’ve all been in bands where others are running the show and deciding what we’re gonna do, but with us it’s very collective.”
They have all individually toured around the world and have spent the past three years giving performances around the U.S. and Miami’s most iconic venues, including the Arsht Center and at the SOMI Art Festival.
For Tony and the Kings, there’s nothing like performing at home.
“If Spanglish was a music genre it would be us,” Garcia said. “So when we play outside of Miami, it’s different. Here in the city, our genre clicks right away for people. They know exactly what we’re doing, and that’s when the dancing starts.”
As musicians who were born and raised in Miami, they aim to create a night of giving back to the community with their upcoming show. The Gramps Getaway team partnered with the band to make it a free show for all.
Tony & The Kings performing at Zeyzey, an iconic Miami venue in Little Haiti.
Instagram / tonyandthekings
The detail makes it that much more valuable. Considering the iconic Gramps venue in Wynwood is closing at the end of the year, Gramps Getaway has the potential to become a new spot for locals to enjoy fresh, new music.
“Gramps Getaway fits the vibe of our music well. It feels like more of a local Miami thing. Wynwood isn’t as local as it used to be, so this venue feels like a good fit,” Garcia said.
Tony and the Kings have long covered songs in their own distinct style but have since begun to put out original music. The event will celebrate exactly this, serving as a release party for their upcoming single, “Son Con Soul,” which will be released under legendary Miami DJ Travis Acker’s label Tiki Tumbao.
Acker had been involved with the musicians even before they became their own band, which happened around the same time as he started the record label.
With Tiki Tumbao, Acker aims to mainly release music made by South Florida musicians, to cultivate and push out local artists.
Acker will be spinning vinyls for the opening set, which will also feature a performance by Lula Rios of Elastic Bond.
“It’s going to be a special night. You’re not only supporting a local act and community members, but also a newer spot that everyone could be going to,” Garcia said.