Raptors faucet pianist Tony Ann for playoff movies
The Toronto Raptors are again within the playoffs, and their hype movies are doing issues a little bit in a different way this time.
There’s no thumping bass or blaring beats within the promotional reels on social media. As a substitute, a extra emotional, piano-driven rating accompanies Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett dunking and hitting fadeaways.
The person behind that sound is Toronto composer Tony Ann, whose pop-leaning neoclassical type is shortly successful over town’s sports activities groups.
“I inform so many individuals my largest inspirations and heroes are athletes. I grew up watching Vince Carter with the Raptors and Michael Jordan with the Wizards — I do know that wasn’t his prime anymore, nevertheless it was nonetheless fairly cool,” says the 32-year-old, talking from Antwerp, Belgium.
He’s halfway via a European tour that’s taken him from small cities in Switzerland to ornate live performance halls in London.
“You may actually see the diligence, the arduous work, the dedication, motivation — , all of the coaching that they should endure. I take that into my observe and the way in which I attempt to perform my profession.”
The Beijing-born, Toronto-bred pianist was additionally tapped by the Toronto Blue Jays for a pump-up video throughout their post-season run final fall — a clip that opens with him enjoying the acquainted “Cost!” theme on the Rogers Centre earlier than drifting into one thing extra intricate and meditative.
Associated Movies
He’s not simply scoring the second — he stars within the movies as effectively. The Raptors’ hype reels present Ann in a jersey at centre court docket in Scotiabank Area, hammering out his dramatic observe “Rush of Life” on the keys.
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The Raptors start their playoff run Saturday in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I acquired to shoot some free throws. I missed all of them, nevertheless it was actually cool,” Ann chuckles. “It actually was a bucket checklist factor for me.”
He says the collaborations grew out of a dialog along with his label Common Music Canada about his ardour for sports activities. That led first to a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Soccer Membership in 2023, with a video the place he showcased his piano chops at Parc des Princes stadium.
Raptors father or mother firm Maple Leaf Sports activities & Leisure says it partnered with Ann to assist excite followers “regardless of their language, their age or their tradition.”
“We additionally noticed a synergy between Tony’s story of dedication and arduous work to good his craft and the dedication and keenness the Raptors proceed to decide to this post-season,” says Sherry Jean, the corporate’s senior supervisor of digital content material technique.
His huge on-line presence might have been an element, too — he boasts greater than three million Instagram followers. Ann broke out in 2017 after a video cowl of a Chainsmokers tune caught the EDM duo’s consideration and earned him a spot of their touring band. Since then, he’s constructed a global following through a modernized tackle classical music and an instinctive really feel for what lands on-line.
“I’d by no means categorize my music in the identical world as 1800s artists like Beethoven and Chopin. That’s true classical music. I’m actually nearer to the world of pop music,” he says.
“The harmonies are quite simple. The melodies are a bit simpler to grasp and digest. I’m probably not attempting to impress musicians by throwing a bunch of chords in my music simply to sound good.”
He notes his extra accessible strategy appeals to a youthful crowd: “After I look out on the stands, I see plenty of youngsters or individuals my age.”
Being fluent in social media additionally helps.
Ann’s #playthatword collection routinely goes viral on TikTok and Instagram, with the pianist improvising authentic melodies primarily based on phrases urged by followers. Subsequent week, the Raptors will launch a video that includes him taking up the problem with the phrase “Raptors.”
He says the staff gave him some tips for the piece: “They needed it to be energetic, thrilling, one thing that was optimistic, one thing that sounded hopeful.”
What Ann ended up creating, he provides, is “one thing fast-tempo, uplifting and sort of like EDM.”
“Raptors basketball has plenty of high-paced depth …. I simply needed to create one thing that matched with the atmosphere. I didn’t wish to create one thing that felt like a breakup ballad.”
Ann had a acutely aware uncoupling of his personal a couple of years in the past — after years of residing in Los Angeles pursuing music, he determined to maneuver again to Toronto.
“I missed the seasons,” he says.
“Toronto’s at all times going to be a really particular place for me. After I see a Canadian flag there’s positively some emotions of feelings, as a result of that is my house.”
As for his emotions on the Raptors’ matchup versus the Cavaliers?
“Raptors in six,” he says.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 18, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
