Ask most music aficionados for their take on the 'Seattle Sound', and they'll offer murky images of "grunge", Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Kurt Cobain. But with their self-titled 1993 debut, Tony Gable & 206 created an infectious, soulful yet lighthearted "alternative to alternative," reaching out from the Pacific Northwest and into the Top 5 of all New Adult Contemporary (smooth jazz) airplay charts nationwide. Gable, who gained worldwide attention and exposure adding exotic textures to the touring and recording bands of superstar saxman Kenny G, once again gathers some of the city's brightest jazz players for the spirited and eclectic Seven Hills.

"Once again, our goal is to cut another slice of the jazzier side of the music being played in area code 206," says Tony of the collection whose seven member core is enhanced by the electric guitar charisma of John Raymond (who also produced their debut album and Seven Hills) and, on the opening track, a sizzling piano solo by fusion legend Jeff Lorber. "The first time out we introduced the 206 concept, and Seven Hills reflects a maturing of our group sound. There's more acoustic playing, more writing from the nucleus group, and more of my own percussion contributions here."

A native of San Antonio, Tony has lived in Seattle since the early seventies, where he has established dual creative careers which occasionally overlap. While developing into a world class percussionist and band leader, he has also become a renowned designer, first for Boeing, then opening his own graphic studio - Gable Design Group .

While attending college, he focused on an eventual career as an art teacher, but became interested in music while designing posters and T-shirts for local bands. Learning what he calls "street percussion," he was proficient enough to join the local R&B band Funk Experience, which later evolved into Cold, Bold and Together. CBT's regional success included the release of four singles, one of which went Top 10 in the Seattle area.

While singing and playing with CBT, Tony went back to art scool to pursue a degree in commercial graphic arts. Then, the future king of pop jazz, Kenny G joined the CBT's horn section and formed what became a lifetime friendship with Tony. As the G-man's career exploded, Tony came along for the ride, touring the globe for several years and playing on the multi-platinum smashes Duotones and Silhouette. Tony made productive use of his travel time by producing design projects on a Macintosh computer installed on the Kenny G tour bus.

After four years on the road, Tony decided to stabilize his life, build his art studio back home and lay the groundwork for what eventually became 206. Encouraged by Kenny and Jeff Ross (Kenny and Jeff Lorber's first manager) and Robert Nesbitt in co-operation with Intermix/headsUp Records, lead to the concept becoming reality. In 1993, Tony Gable & 206 became one of the most popular adventures in contemporary instrumental music and in early 1994, the band achieved notoriety when it appeared on "The Arsenio Hall Show."

"I feel like I'm overseeing a variety pack of what the hot sounds are in Seattle," he says.  "Quincy Jones and Ray Charles are band leaders who lived and played here in Seattle, who both are inspirations to me. I'm trying to follow in their footsteps by creating a positive environment where musicians feel good about what they do. New York and LA have their own jazz scene, their own sounds, and people need to become aware that our region is a hotbed of activity as well."