The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet
The Tiptons are an all-female saxophone quartet plus drums. Based in New York City and Seattle, the Tiptons perform concerts that cover musical territory from New Orleans “second line” to free jazz, Afro-Cuban to Balkan, Klezmer and beyond. Simply put, they create some of the wildest sounds ever to come out of a sax quartet. The Tiptons have been around in one form or another for nearly 20 years, and their current lineup consists of original members Jessica Lurie on alto and tenor sax, Amy Denio on alto sax and clarinet; and more recent recruits Sue Orfield on tenor sax, and Tina Richerson on baritone sax. All four members also sing, and this tour features dynamic drummer Scott Amendola. Amendola’s closest musical associates include guitarists Jeff Parker, Nels Cline and Charlie Hunter, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, ROVA saxophonist Larry Ochs, and Tin Hat clarinetist Ben Goldberg, players who have each forged a singular path within and beyond the realm of jazz. Formerly known as Billy Tipton Memorial Sax Quartet, the Tiptons are named for Billy Tipton, a big band saxophonist that lived and worked as a man for more than five decades, the fact that he was biologically female was revealed only after his death in 1989. Quartet founders, Amy Denio and Jessica Lurie, adopted his mantel soon thereafter. The Tiptons' four female horn players obviously assume some sympathy in the always male-dominated world of jazz, even if they don't feel the need to cloak their sexual identities. If it's gender politics you're after, though, there's not much of the stereotypically feminine about the Tiptons, despite the lack of a Y chromosome.
DATES/TIMES
WHERE
PRICE
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$18
/ $16 Students and members
