Tryiston Tekippe

In my time as a musician I have been in an assortment of groups ranging from my Classical experience as the principle saxophonist, playing with Stevie George's blues band to heading my own Jazz Fusion group and collaborating with artist to make original music. Some recent highlights is my deep dive into playing more traditional Big Band Pieces with the CJC Band and being a featured soloist on selected songs. All of these experiences have helped develop my skills as a soloist. Due to these skills developing I have had the chance to clinic varying High School Big Bands and Combo groups on Soloing approach and the technique to manipulate their instrument to make the song their own

• 06/24, Lead Tenor (SUB), CJC Big Band, Des Moines, IA, Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written., Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance., Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed., Providing what is needed for the bands sound at the drop of a hat.
• 03/24, Band Leader, Jasper Tide, Ankeny, IA, Managed budgeting and financial aspects of the band, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability., Collaborated with fellow musicians to create memorable, high-quality concerts for various events., Enhanced audience engagement by incorporating diverse music genres and styles into performances., Maintained open communication channels with venue staff to ensure smooth operations during performances., Creating original music in a collaborative setting with all band members. This requires willingness to take criticism as constructive and not destructive.
• 08/17, Musical Clinician, Self Employed, IA, Guiding young musicians to gain confidence in their sound and ability to execute the music., Gauging where certain students are at and appropriately assessing where their next step is at., Building basic habits of how to perceive groove, musical interpretation and stylistic approach., Working with Band Directors on what their needs are from me and effectively translating it with the students.
• 08/17, Freelance Saxophonist, Self Employed, IA, Rehearsed diligently to maintain a high level of professionalism during live shows, ensuring audience satisfaction and repeat business., Participated in masterclasses led by renowned saxophonists to continuously expand knowledge and refine technique., Invested time in learning new compositions expanding personal repertoire offering diverse choices of music selection for clients., Promoted upcoming shows through social media platforms, increasing online presence and attracting new audiences to performances.
• 08/17 - 03/24, Band Leader, The Collective Indifference, IA, Boosted band's profile through consistent networking with industry professionals and event organizers., Secured long-term contracts at prestigious venues, elevating the ensemble's reputation within the industry., Coordinated logistics for domestic tours, providing seamless experiences for both performers and audiences., Selected appropriate repertoire that catered to diverse audiences while showcasing each musician's unique talents., Conducted regular talent auditions to maintain optimum musical standards within the group., Negotiated favorable terms with vendors and suppliers, reducing overall expenses without compromising quality or satisfaction levels., Mentored junior members of the ensemble, fostering their personal growth as musicians and team players.
• 01/17 - 05/18, Lead Tenor, ISU Jazz Band, Ames, IA, Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility., Worked effectively in fast-paced environments., Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment., Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations., Guiding original music from the page to life by communicating with the composer.
• 08/16 - 05/18, Principle Saxophonist, ISU Symphonic Band, Ames, IA, Received recognition through multiple awards for outstanding musicianship and dedication to the art of saxophone performance., Adapted quickly to different performance environments, showcasing flexibility as a professional musician., Provided constructive feedback to fellow musicians during rehearsals, contributing to the improvement of overall group dynamics and sound quality., Performed at various venues including weddings, corporate events, and festivals, contributing to the overall success of each occasion.