FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Anthony Lofton has pursued two passions during his five years at the University of Arkansas. One is computer engineering, the other is music. This spring he earned his master’s degree from the College of Engineering, and he’s getting ready to start work on his doctorate. This spring he also launched his solo recording career, with a CD of original jazz compositions called “Sensational.”

“I love them both,” he said recently, “and I hope I never have to choose between them. Ideally I hope I can keep doing both, bring my knowledge of computer engineering into the studio to enhance my music.”

Lofton came to the university after graduating from North Little Rock High. His academic honors earned the scholarships that paid his way through school; his musical ability won him a place in the University Jazz Band. He was already a multi-instrumentalist — saxophone, keyboards and clarinet — but he credits Fayetteville’s “music scene” with really opening his ears.

“I had never seen so many bands, playing so many different kinds of music,” Lofton said.

Before long he was invited to join that scene, playing sax and keyboards in bands that ranged from rock to jazz, from Motown soul to fusion. One of the bands even provided a link between his music and his love for computer technology: The Oneups play jazz arrangements of music that comes from video games.

Lofton said the music on “Sensational” will never be confused with “Sega’s Greatest Hits,” but his connection to The Oneups was key to getting his CD recorded. The band’s leader, who goes by the name Mustin, is also a local music entrepreneur with his own studio and record label. Last fall Anthony went into that studio, and with Mustin producing, laid down 10 tracks of original instrumental jazz. Lofton played all the instruments, except for an occasional guitar part, while Mustin provided the drum programming. The end result could be described as “smooth jazz,” but Lofton said he has tried to bring all the music he loves into the mix.

Lofton has few illusions about striking it rich as a musician, but he does mention that a lot of touring would interfere with the doctoral program he plans to start in the fall. He’s content to depend on word of mouth advertising to sell his CD on his Web site, http://www.anthonylofton.com. Mustin says the strategy is working.

 “With all the playing he’s done the last few years,” Mustin said, “Tony’s garnered a large fan base, and we’ve gotten very good responses to the CD so far.” 

Lofton also keeps a supply of the CDs to sell whenever he’s performing live. His fans get their next chance to hear him in an all-ages show at the UARK Bowl in Fayetteville, Saturday, May 27, in what’s being billed as a final performance of The Oneups. Lofton is planning a few solo performances in the Little Rock area this summer, and he’s staying busy composing new material for a second CD. And of course, there’s always a little computer programming to do in his spare time.