The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet

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The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet (now known as The Tiptons Sax Quartet) is an all-female, jazz saxophone quartet from Seattle, Washington. They actually consist of five members (the fifth member being the quartet's drummer and percussionist). The name of the quartet was inspired by Billy Tipton, a jazz saxophonist, who upon his death was revealed to be anatomically female. Formed in 1987, they have toured frequently in North America and Europe, collaborated with Pat Graney Dance Company, taught workshops on improvisation and composition, and have recorded seven CDs.

[edit] Current Members

The Tiptons, December 2006. Left to right: Jessica Lurie, Amy Denio, Tina Richerson, Tobi Stone, Faith Stankevich

Left to right: Jessica Lurie, Amy Denio, Tina Richerson, Tobi Stone

Amy Denio - alto saxophone, voice

Amy Denio is, with Marjorie de Muynck, the co-founder of the Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet. She is a composer, improviser and recording engineer, and has run her own label, Spoot Music since 1986. She has received composition commissions from The Berkeley Symphony, The Relache Ensemble, Pat Graney Dance Company, David Dorfman Dance, New York Festival of Song, and many other entities.

Jessica Lurie - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, voice

Jessica Lurie also records & performs with Jessica Lurie Ensemble. She has performed with Wayne Horvitz, George Addams and Carlo Actis Dato.

Tina Richerson - baritone saxophone, voice

Tina Richerson is based in New York City, and is a member of the Circus Amok Orchestra and other groups.

Sue Orfield - tenor saxophone, voice

Sue Orfield also performs with The Sue Orfield Band and a variety of other groups.

Faith Stankevich - drums

Faith also performs with Barbara Trentalange.

[edit] Former Members

Tobi Stone - baritone saxophone

Tobi joined the Tiptons in 2002, and retired from her full-time baritone position in spring of 2007. She still sits in and records with the Tiptons. Her other projects include Reptet.

Elizabeth Pupo Walker - percussion

Elizabeth Pupo Walker played and toured with the Tiptons from 2003-2006. She retired when she gave birth to her daughter Maya. She has also played with Peter Buck in Tuatara.

Marjorie de Muynck - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone

Marjorie de Muynck is the co-founder of the Tiptons, playing and touring with the Tiptons from 1987-1994. She now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Barbara Marino - baritone saxophone

Barbara Marino played and toured with the Tiptons from 1992-2000. She has performed with Herbie Hancock, Melissa Etheridge, and Blakey St. John.

Pam Barger - drums

Pam Barger was a member of the Austin band Two Nice Girls and Seattle's Pretty Mary Sunshine (A&M Records). Nona Hendryx, Michael Blaire, and Craig Ross of MCA Records are also among the artists she has recorded with.