Commodore Jasper Tenpenny, affectionately known as the “Wise Sage of the Sea,” is more than just the steady bass groove behind The Thurston Howell Band, your premier yacht rock spectacular—he’s a living legend of the ocean and the stage. With fingers that glide across the bass strings like a schooner on calm seas, Commodore Tenpenny has become an icon in the soft rock and yacht rock music scene.
Born somewhere between a ship’s bell and a moonlit tide, Jasper’s earliest memories involve the sound of waves crashing against hulls and the rhythmic hum of a diesel engine far from shore. A lifelong mariner, Commodore Tenpenny has captained vessels across every ocean, logging countless nautical miles. His tales of tempest and tranquility at sea are the stuff of dockside lore. Once obsessed with hunting the legendary great white whale, a journey that spanned decades and latitudes, Tenpenny underwent a profound transformation—now he seeks not to conquer the whale, but to understand it. This evolution from harpooner to philosopher mirrors his growth as an artist and human being.
When not charting new courses across cerulean expanses, Tenpenny can be found catching waves on his longboard, merging his two great loves: sailing and surfing. His respect for the sea is deep and spiritual, influencing both his adventurous life and his music. His basslines, often described as tidal and hypnotic, provide the heartbeat of The Thurston Howell Band, perfectly complementing the shimmering melodies and sun-kissed harmonies of the classic soft rock hits of the 70’s and 80’s that are the mainstay of the Thurston Howell band.
Throughout the 20th century, Commodore Tenpenny had a front-row seat to the birth of many great technological advancements—from the dawn of the synthesizer to the rise of satellite navigation. His uncanny knack for being present at pivotal moments in modern history only adds to his mystique. Yet, despite his worldly knowledge, Jasper remains most passionate about making music with his closest companions: Captain J.P. “Silky” Lents on vocals and keys, the sultry spouses First Mate Cam Love and Activities Director Leona Love on guitar and vocals respectively, the eccentric genius Dr. Artemis Thatch on keys and sexyphone, and the ever-dashing King of Cuddle, Phineas Wigglesworth IX, on drums.
Together, they form the heart and soul of The Thurston Howell Band, the ultimate celebration of yacht rock’s golden vibe. Whether at anchor in a Caribbean bay or on stage under starlight, Commodore Jasper Tenpenny is always charting a course for groove.