Originally called Billy Tipton Memorial Sax Quartet when the group was founded in 1988, they have since shortened their name and expanded their repertoire. BTMSQ was named in honor of big band saxophonist and pianist Billy Tipton, following the post-mortem revelation that Tipton was actually a woman who lived as a man for more than 50 years. Many believe that this allowed Tipton to pursue a career in the male-dominated world of jazz. Not to be bound by convention, the Tiptons similarly do their own thing. With concerts that range from New Orleans "second - line" to jazz, Afro-Cuban to Balkan, klezmer and beyond, the Tiptons create some of the wildest sounds ever to come out of a sax quartet. Their dynamic, playful concerts feature high-energy interaction between members, and a repertoire that touches on soulful music from around the world.

The group features Jessica Lurie and Amy Denio, original members and lead composers of BTMSQ, along with Sue Orfield, Tina Richerson and drummer Lee Frisari. They have played in jazz, blues, rock, and world music festivals in the US and Europe since 1993. Most recently they toured in the US in April, 2009, and enjoyed a very successful festival tour of Europe in June, 2009 (including an inspiring collaboration with an Austrian yodelling men's choir at the Lunz am See Festival!), and they will be touring on the US West Coast in in late September/early October, 2009. Music from their newest CD, 'Laws of Motion' has been featured on US National Public Radio, and on Austrian National Radio.

THE TIPTONS have appeared at venues and music festivals worldwide including: Donauinsel Festival (Austria), Carega Jazz Festival (Italy) TAKTLOS Festival (Switzerland); The North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands); Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (USA); du Maurier Jazz Festival (Canada); MIMI Festival (France); Bumbershoot Music Festival (USA); The Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival (USA); Horfest (Austria); Klinkende Munt Music Festival (Belgium); 1994 NYC Gay Games (USA); Michigan Women's Music Festival (USA); Jazz Festival Goerlitz (Germany); Women in Movement Festival (USA); Earshot Jazz Festival (USA); Crossroads Music Festival (Italy); Teatro in Campo (Italy), Jazzmiele Festival (Italy); Hallovino Festival (Switzerland); Festival Belleville (Italy); and Now Is The Time Festival (Italy).