Tony Humphries

Tony Humphries is a Brooklyn-born US DJ and producer, associated with house, deep house, soulful house, lounge and electronic music. He is closely linked to the Jersey sound that develops in and around Newark, and his work spans club DJing, radio, remixing and label activity.

Early life and background

Humphries is born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He comes from a family with deep roots in performance: his father, Rene Grand, is a Colombian émigré who becomes a prominent New York bandleader alongside figures such as Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri, and other relatives also work in the performing arts.

Radio and club residencies

He builds his reputation through a long run as a DJ, including a major period at KISS FM, where he becomes one of the station’s key Mastermixers, and later on HOT 97. He is also known for his long residency at Club Zanzibar in Newark, which begins in 1982. That venue becomes associated with a broad, soulful electronic sound rather than a narrow house format, with Humphries known for mixing styles across long sets.

Remixing and studio work

Although often described primarily as a DJ, Humphries has an extensive remix catalogue. His remix of Mtume’s Juicy Fruit is sampled on several hip hop and R&B records, and his version of Fresh Band’s Come Back Lover is regarded as one of the notable disco records of the 1980s. He also remixes artists including Soul II Soul and Janet Jackson, with the Janet Jackson work earning him a gold disc. In 2013, Frankie Knuckles invites him back into the studio for a swap mix on a track Knuckles is working on.

European profile and international work

Humphries’ profile in Europe grows through copied recordings of his KISS FM shows and through appearances at London club nights such as Shoom and High On Hope. In the early 1990s, he takes residencies at Ministry of Sound in London and Echoes in Rimini. He later appears in the Kings of House project, a ten-hour New York session with Little Louie Vega and David Morales at Webster Hall in 2009, which develops into a touring concept with appearances in places including Ibiza.

Labels and releases

He launches the label Yellorange in 1998, releasing music that ranges across soulful vocals, Afro-Cuban elements and Italo-influenced funk. He also runs Tony Records, which focuses on younger artists and producers making modern soulful music. His own releases include the Housework EP, which combines blues, gospel and worksong elements, and a mix compilation with DJ Spen titled Quintessentials.

Style and legacy

Humphries is known for eclectic selection and for bridging classic and contemporary house. He remains an important figure in the New York and New Jersey club tradition, with a career shaped by radio, residencies, remix work and label projects.