b. Jeffrey J. Tyzik, 1951, Rochester, New York, U.S.A.
Jeff Tyzik is an accomplished trumpeter, songwriter and producer.
He lives in Rochester, New York with his wife Jill and his daughter Jami, a voice student at the Eastman School of Music.
Born in Hyde Park, New York, Tyzik attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music, as well, in 1979 and became close friends with fellow trumpeter AI Vizzulti.
When AI left to be lead player with Woody Herman, Tyzik began playing alongside Chuck Mangione (who also taught at the school).
Whilst working with Chuck between 1975 and 1980, Jeff was also employed by 'Doc' Severinsen who, in 1978, took him to London to work on two albums with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
With an interest in broader-based soul and R& B music, Jeff began composing songs for himself and self-financed his first solo album, 'Farthest Corner Of My Mind', which was followed ayear later by 'Prophecy' (an album that included 'Florentine', a U.K. jazz funk favourite).
The album was licensed by Capitol in 1981, and the label released a follow-up, 'Radiance' (which included the excellent 'Sweet Nothings', with vocals from Lani Groves) in 1982.
Switching labels to Polydor in 1984, Jeff released 'Jammin' In Manhattan', introducing an electronic element to his music.
Polydor issued 'Smile' in 1985, with 'Distant Dreams' following on five years later, Jeff's last solo album to date.
Tyzik's record production skills earned him a Grammy Award in 1986 for an album entitled 'The Tonight Show Band' with Doc Severinsen.
In 1990 he produced 'Harlem Nocturne' for pianist Kofi, released by Warlock Records.
In 1998, Tyzik was commissioned by the publisher G. Schirmer to create symphonic orchestrations for two of Duke Ellington's masterpieces, namely, 'Black, Brown and Beige' and 'the Nutcracker Suite'.
Jeff Tyzik's 1999-2001 schedule included the Baltimore Symphony, the Seattle Symphony, and return engagements with Saint Louis, Minnesota, Detroit, Vancouver, and Oregon.
He has also written music for the Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman Orchestra's.
Albums:
Farthest Corner Of My Mind (Amherst Records 1980)
Prophecy (Capitol Records 1981)
Radiance (Capitol Records 1982)
Jammin' in Manhattan (Polygram Records 1984)
Smile (Polydor Records 1985)
Distant Dreams (Amherst Records 1990)
