Saxophonist Tyrone Birkett grew up and studied in New York city. His first experience with gospel jazz was when he was invited to the Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, the "Jazz Church" to play with a trio. From that moment, and then he formed is own group, The Tyrone Birkett Group, he has been dedicated to play gospel music with a jazz perspective. The Tyrone Birkett Group has player in different places as Brooklyn Academy of Music, Schomburg Library and Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts.
To define the music of Tyrone must be considered different influences and musical elements. In fact, he called it "Jazz/Not Jazz", because it uses jazz improvisation and language as a springboard, but extending and filtering it through gospel, soul and funk. Although this is common in some gospel jazz musicians, the particularity of Tyrone is his ability for converge naturally all these different genres.
Tyrone has only one album, In the Fullness of Time, and it's incredibly well recorded. When one listen each song, it's difficult assimilate that this project is a first work of a musician, because each one of solos are virtuous with a great swing. Also, in this album Tyrone integrate a vocalist, Paula Ralph-Birkett, to communicate easier with audiences and solidifying the musical concept.
Official website of Tyrone Birkett Group: http://www.tyronebirkett.com
