Early Career

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Bruce Amory Halper (aka Tony Bruce) is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose work is shaped by his New York City roots, his international travels, and his lifelong passion for The Great American Songbook.

 

He began his musical journey at the age of eleven, studying piano, drums, and voice, and performing at New York’s Hoffmann School. By sixteen, he was drumming and singing professionally in Tucson, Arizona—already recording jingles, performing live, and playing in the University of Arizona orchestra for musical theater productions. In his twenties, he became a sought-after sideman, playing and recording with musical artists for audiences around the globe.

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Career Highlights

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Halper’s career highlights include playing with Rainer Ptacek and his band Das Combo, and a two-decade run with the band Sidewinders. With the Sidewinders, he recorded two albums for RCA and another for Polygram, and other labels, earning critical acclaim and reaching No. 5 on Billboard’s college radio charts for RCA. He has played on upwards of 40 studio albums.

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Following European tours in 1999 and 2000 with legendary bassist Mike Davis (MC5), Halper began collaborating with the duo Colwell (NYC and Atlanta, GA)—a musical partnership that continues to this day. He has also played with singer/songwriter Joe Peña and Greyhound Soul for over twenty five years, and has toured most recently with Vintage Guitar Magazine co-hosting jam sessions nationally in 2022/2023.

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In 2001, Halper launched his solo career as a vocalist and bandleader, performing classic jazz and popular songs with some of the finest musicians in the jazz community. His repertoire draws from the rich legacy of 20th-century American music.

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Over the years, Halper has been recognized not only for his musicianship, but also for his charisma and artistic range. He has performed at many high-profile celebrity events, and has been described as a "bon vivant" by The Arizona Daily Star and "a renaissance man" by Tucson Weekly, as well as “a music icon” by The Tucson Citizen. He was inducted into both the Tucson Musician’s Museum, and The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.

Bruce Amory Halper is currently collaborating with bassist and musical director Thøger Tetens Lund and a talented circle of jazz artists and vocalists. He plans to record a new album featuring a blend of jazz and pop material, and collaborate alongside some of his longtime musical partners. Whether on stage or in the studio, Halper continues to share his love of timeless music, bringing soul and style to every performance.

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