Tiptons Sax Quartet and Drums: Amy Denio: alto sax, clarinet, voice Jessica Lurie: alto & tenor sax, voice Sue Orfield: tenor sax, voice Tina Richerson: baritone sax, voice Chris Stromquist: drums The Tiptons were formed in 1988, under the original name of Phlegm Fatale - and then changed to Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet. This is their 10th CD, recorded and mixed at Godel String Studios in Brooklyn in June, 2010. Mastered by Mell Dettmer in Seattle. Based in New York and Seattle, the Tiptons perform original compositions and arrangements of world music on saxes, clarinet, voices and drums/percussion. With concerts that cover musical territory from New Orleans “second - line” to jazz, Afro-Cuban to Balkan, Klezmer and beyond, the Tiptons create some of the wildest sounds ever to come out of a sax quartet.  Their dynamic, playful concerts feature high-energy interaction between members, and a repertoire that touches on soulful music from around the world. They have played in jazz, blues, rock, and world music festivals in the US and Europe since 1990, and are now celebrating the release of Strange Flower on their independent label, Zipa! / Spoot Music. The group features original members Jessica Lurie and Amy Denio, along with Sue Orfield, Tina Richerson and drummer Lee Frisari (Inner Princess and Electric Junkyard Gamelan). Originally called Billy Tipton Memorial Sax Quartet, they have since shortened their name and expanded their repertoire.  BTMSQ was named in honor of big band saxophonist and pianist Billy Tipton, following the post-mortem revelation that Tipton was actually a woman who lived as a man for more than 50 years.  Many believe that this allowed Tipton to pursue a career in the male-dominated world of jazz.  Not to be bound by convention, the Tiptons similarly do their own thing.  Music from their most recent CD, 'Laws of Motion' has been featured on US National Public Radio, Austrian National Radio, and on radio stations worldwide. They have been featured in Downbeat Magazine (February, 2010), and reviewed internationally. They have also received grants to compose music for saxophone quartet and 3 city busses; to research and perform compositions by women composers in Jazz; to collaborate with graphic artist Danijel Zezelj, and to collaborate with choreographer Pat Graney. Since 1992, the Tiptons Sax Quartet has directed music workshops in the US and throughout Europe.  They teach group composition and improvisation, saxophone and expanded vocal techniques.  The Tiptons Sax Quartet has played at venues and music festivals worldwide including: Donauinsel Festival (Austria), Carega Jazz Festival (Italy) TAKTLOS Festival (Switzerland); The North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands); Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (USA); du Maurier Jazz Festival (Canada); MIMI Festival (France); Bumbershoot Music Festival (USA); The Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival (USA); Horfest (Austria); Klinkende Munt Music Festival (Belgium); 1994 NYC Gay Games (USA); Michigan Women's Music Festival (USA); Jazz Festival Goerlitz (Germany); Women in Movement Festival (USA); Earshot Jazz Festival (USA); Crossroads Music Festival (Italy); Teatro in Campo (Italy), Jazzmiele Festival (Italy); Hallovino Festival (Switzerland); Festival Belleville (Italy); and Now Is The Time Festival (Italy).   RECENT PRESS: "...a mix of oneiric rhapsodizing and jump-band scat."  Jon Garelick, The Boston Phoenix  "The quartet, with lead composers Amy Denio and Jessica Lurie, gravitates to funk and the bitter edge, using both saxes and voices. The group's diverse experiences are embedded in the set."  Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer "...The rich, brassy sounds of all those saxes never leaves you wanting there to be a guitar or piano; they handle all the chores just fine by themselves, and then some.  Back in the Swing Era, all party music was driven by a lot of horns. The Tiptons Sax Quartet Laws Of Motion makes me wonder why party music couldn't be that way again."   Victor Aaron, Something Else! Prestige Records "The Tiptons are one of my very favorite bands these days. Beautiful arrangements that are both funky and swinging, amazing solos, and, increasingly, incredibly beautiful vocalizing. They range far over the map in terms of their interests, but wherever they alight, there's something moving, strange, beautiful, and new. No one else surprises me as much and with such stunning musicality."   Rick Moody, author of The Ice Storm “... Minute precision, solid arrangements, an excellent control of dynamics, a multi-stylized repertoire, and sparkling execution. ...(and) their unique singing style creates shapes and timbres that move into experimental jazz. It is truly a beautiful lesson of what is vital in jazz, inviting, crossing genres, filled with radical thought that can be maintained without losing its tenderness.”  Flavio Massarutto, ll Gazzettino “... entrancing beats with luscious tones and harmony stacks big enough to climb.”  All About Jazz: Seattle. Order Tiptons Sax Quartet CDs through www.cdbaby.com: Strange Flowers (2010) Laws of Motion (2008) Drive (2006) Tsunami (2004) NEW CD ‘LAWS OF MOTION’ AVAILABLE ON http://www.CDBABY.COM!!! LISTEN TO THE TIPTONS! http://www.myspace.com/tiptons http://www.tiptonssaxquartet.com SEE TIPTONS IN CONCERT! Sind’ (Schiavone, arr. Denio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG2YI3y0ctQ&feature=related Der Nister (Lurie) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6soYPue6_Sc&feature=related Beppo’s to Ballard (Richerson) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IksNLbkKb8&feature=related Agora (Denio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0je_-tE6hA&feature=related No.6 (Lurie) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ3NP5XBT8k Raisa (Denio) – in collaboration with artist Danijel Zezelj http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb4UUEGpYGY A recent interview from the Tiptons’ June 2008 European tour, Live in Ljubliana, Slovenia! http://carli-online.tv/browser/?showid=9fa9ccf655a462d73be1a808f1add9fe