Tony Hall grew up Uptown near the historic Dew Drop Inn and has lived in Thibodaux since his teens. Music runs in the family: his grandmother, Alberta Hall, wrote and recorded “Oh! How I Need Your Love,” released by Specialty Records in 1955, and his grandfather, Gus Fontenette, played saxophone with Guitar Slim, Ray Charles, and Big Joe Turner. In 2003, Hall co-founded Dumpstaphunk for an Ivan Neville appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; the “side project” grew into one of the city’s most prestigious modern funk ensembles, with Hall on bass, guitar, and vocals.
Biography
The Funkiest Sideman in Town
"You know those guys when you’re playing a gig, he’ll look right at you? That’s him. He’s a bad ass."
— Tim ReynoldsHall also leads the New Orleans Soul Stars. Following James Brown’s death on Christmas Day, 2006, the Soul Stars have performed tributes to the Godfather of Soul every year on or near Brown’s birthday, May 3 — long-running celebrations at the Maple Leaf Bar that have become a beloved New Orleans tradition. In 2025, Hall’s James Brown tribute at NOLA Funk Fest featured Brown’s own trombonist and musical director Fred Wesley alongside trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick, tearing through “Cold Sweat,” “The Payback,” “Soul Power,” and more.
"Hall’s funk, soul and rhythm-and-blues chops are a given."
— OffBeatAs a session player, Hall’s credits read like a hall of fame ballot. He played bass on the Neville Brothers’ Yellow Moon, whose “Healing Chant” won Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards, and his bass work drives Daniel Lanois’ “The Maker” — five different bass parts’ worth. His recording and touring work also includes Bob Dylan (Oh Mercy), Emmylou Harris, Trey Anastasio, Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Brian Eno, Jewel, Edie Brickell, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Buffett, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, and Maceo Parker, alongside New Orleans work with Harry Connick Jr., Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Jean Knight, and the Meters.
