Tyrone Birkett featuring Paula Ralph-Birkett
In The Fullness Of Time
© 2006 Convergence Music Group (837101219853)
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Progressive Gospel/Jazz? Grover Washington Jr meets Weather Report meets Tramaine Hawkins meets Dianne Reeves plus inspirational lyrics & spoken word.
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Tyrone Birkett
In building bridges between styles with sometimes-questionable results, occasionally we get a pleasant surprise. One such surprise is the unique music of progressive gospel/jazz saxophonist, Tyrone Birkett. Progressive, because he uses contemporary gospel as a springboard and extends it through jazz & soul music. Unique, in that influences have been assimilated to produce something new but still familiar.
“In The Fullness of Time” the debut CD release by Tyrone Birkett featuring vocalist Paula Ralph-Birkett is a manifestation of this approach. It brings together virtuosic but accessible saxophone improvisations, innovative jazz fusion spins on gospel standards, and soothing tone poems and ballads. Add to that, funky but smart groove tunes, and vocals alternating between powerful Dianne Reeves-like exhortations and intimate monologues. All of the selections are anchored by the attentive musicianship of New York’s best up and coming jazz and gospel talent, with credits from Randy Brecker to Barbra Streisand to Lonnie Plaxico. All to bring to you the message of the music.
The message is to encourage the listener to live this life fully and realize the reason for living. Jazz & gospel were born out a people persevering through poverty & pain, searching for a way to express themselves to their God, to each other, and to themselves. It is only fitting that jazz & gospel with their unique attributes, be used together to express hope & resolution. More to the point, the message communicates the character of the Creator. Though being the creator and sustainer of all that is, God is still concerned about the life and well being of one person. Or as John Coltrane stated in his text for A Love Supreme “God is all”.
Tyrone grew up in New York City and at the age of ten began studies on the saxophone, playing in the Holiness church on Sundays while studying Bird, Coltrane and Grover Washington Jr. every other day. At age fifteen, he had the pleasure to be invited to St. Peters Lutheran in NYC, the “jazz church” to play with a trio what was even then an interesting amalgam of gospel and jazz. And receiving the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in high school furthered validated this style. Starting as a workshop to hear his compositions, Tyrone Birkett formed a group in an effort to present gospel music from a different perspective. "Coming up I was equally influenced by jazz and contemporary gospel during the same period of my life, remarked Tyrone. "No one was writing anything from that place, so decided to try it myself".
Equipped with instruction at the Aaron Copland School of Music under the tutelage of Budd Johnson, mentoring from Frank Foster and real life experience in churches, Tyrone has carried his message to venues such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts, Aaron Davis Hall, and Riverside Church to name a few. And appeared on stages with/opened for Kirk Whalum, Shirley Caesar, Al Green, Frank Foster, and even performed with Little Richard when he came to Harlem during one of his “gospel” periods.
He also made a contribution to the movie “Proud” starring Ossie Davis in his last film performance. His commitment to social causes is evidenced by participation in AIDS Awareness events sponsored by Bristol Myers and the Arthur Ashe Institute.
In time he felt impressed to take the music to a wider audience. He began by adding a vocalist to communicate easier with audiences and solidifying the musical concept. “I went back to study Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of gospel music, and his effort to combine sacred music with blues and jazz”, Tyrone explains. “So I took what was organic and natural to me – Coltrane, jazz fusion like Herbie Hancock and Weather Report, 70s soul music and contemporary gospel, and had them all converge naturally, without forcing the issue.”
To further bring this music to the masses, he has produced events to provide exposure for the music such as "GOSPEL NITE LIVE @ JUSTIN'S", a well-attended "Gospel/Jazz Convergence" themed showcase at world-famous Justin's Restaurant in NYC, “Friday Night Freedom” a monthly afterwork gospel jazz event at the Harlem Tea Room, and the Gospel Jazz Convergence concert hosted by Sheila Anderson of WBGO-FM planned for Fall 07. This in addition to engagements at the NBA Cares/Ralph Lauren cancer awareness event, the upcoming Jazz BBQ at the Harlem Book Fair as well as festivals, jazz clubs, churches, etc. in support of the CD release "In The Fullness Of Time".
reviews
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WOW!!!
author: Anthony StallingsWonderful...I've been searching for praise like this..I love worshiping the Lord in Jazz!! Wow, I'm getting this CD soon!
A must have for your CD collection!
author: NOEL FIGUEROAAfter hearing Tyrone & his wife Paula perform live and listening to their CD, I must say it was a very satisfying, inspiring experience. Either way you can't go wrong. :) They have put their own unique stamp on Gospel/Jazz that will always sound as fresh and vibrant as the first time you heard it. This was a very impressive debut and I look forward to hearing more from this very talented, blessed couple.
Tyrone your sound is amazingly heavenly my brotha
author: Alfred WoodleyTyrone your sound is still hot!!! I'm very impressed and proud to call you a long time friend. You continue to inspire. Keep on sending up the praises my brotha. Your wife is phenomenal as well. You guys keep on doing it big!!! Your friend always alw
Nice Nice Nice
author: Liz 'Radio Angel" BlackTyrone, I really think you out did yourself this time. Glory to God for such a great project.
hot hot hot
author: antonio kelley moozikman61this cd is definitely ear candy...it's so sweet it's like a red hot jaw breaker.....lol glad i caught you at the queens gospelfest
Had To Re-Wind The CD After Only 59 Seconds.
author: Bob ChristieI Have Been Blessed By Receiving This Masterpiece. If You Appreciate Straight Ahead Jazz & Contempoary Gospel, This IS The Product That Should Be In Heavy Rotation. Walk With The KING & Be A Blessing To Others.
Fantastic!
author: C.A.R.A must for your collection!!!!!The Birkett's are such a talented couple. This CD is fantastic! Hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do. Such a blessing! Enjoy!
GREAT MUSIC, Pure Talent
author: SBI LOVE Jazz music, and this christian jazz musicians did not forget the JAZZ in the music...Very Good! Tyrone & Paula are trully Talented musicians and I look forward to great things with these artists.
Just to let you know.....
author: E. Katrina Lewiswhen God inspired music, certainly Tyrone and Paula were somewhere in mind. This project is the quintessence of melody, rhythm, and elements of our greatess natural resource "our soul". Each song is aligned in perfectious conception challenging the imagination of the listener as you allow Tyrone's sax and Paula's voice to speak a "Brighter Day" into your life as "Perseverance" begins your journey to "Contentment" and an "Abundant Life" to an "Awesome God" "With "Open Arms". Enjoy, enjoy enjoy the richness of this project....O How Sweet......Reviewed by E. Katrina Lewis