Based in New York and Seattle, the Tiptons perform original compositions and arrangements of world music on saxes, clarinet, voices and drums/percussion. With concerts that cover musical territory 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 Tiptons are celebrating the release of their newest CD, Strange Flower (Zipa! / Spoot Music). The CD includes 12 songs penned by each of the players, inspired by the lonely echo of train whistles at night, scientific findings on bees from Harper's Magazine, and covering genres from micro-Big Band to Gospel, Bluegrass to Balkan, Whimsical Jazz to Nocturnal Funk. All these diverse styles are unified by the Tiptons' solid instrumental and vocal talent, forged from 20 years of collaboration. The group features original members Jessica Lurie and Amy Denio, along with Sue Orfield, Tina Richerson and drummer Lee Frisari (Inner Princess and Electric Junkyard Gamelan).

Originally called Billy Tipton Memorial Sax Quartet, 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. Music from their previous CD, 'Laws of Motion' has been featured on US National Public Radio, Austrian National Radio, and on radio stations worldwide. They have been featured in Downbeat Magazine (February, 2010), and reviewed internationally. They have also received grants to compose music for saxophone quartet and 3 city busses; to research and perform compositions by women composers in Jazz; to collaborate with graphic artist Danijel Zezelj, and to collaborate with choreographer Pat Graney.

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).