Anthony J. "Tony" Artis works as a freelance musician in Indianapolis and is an accomplished percussionist, drum maker, and bass guitarist. He is a native of Kokomo, Indiana, and has lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, since 1978. He began studying trumpet at age 12, bass guitar at age 14 and African percussion in 1990. He has studied in various cities in the U.S., Ghana, West Africa and Cuba. Tony received the Indianapolis Arts Council's Creative Renewal Fellowship in 1999 and 2007. He is an African drum maker, owner of Amoah's African Drum Works and Coal Bin Productions. He is the founder and artistic director of Ori Afro Jazz Ensemble and co-founder of Sancocho Music and Dance Collage.