Primary Instrument: Saxophone
A versatile and thoughtful saxophonist and composer, Tim Ries has collaborated with such jazz artists as Phil Woods, Tom Harrell, Al Foster, John Patitucci, Dave Liebman, Danilo Perez, Maynard Ferguson, Red Garland, Badal Roy, Maria Schneider and Donald Byrd. A Verve release with The Joe Henderson Big Band won a Grammy Award. Having just returned from a second world tour with the Rolling Stones playing saxophone, keyboard and organ, his other recording and performance credits include work with such diverse talents as Donald Fagen, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, Stevie Wonder, Incognito, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Belden and David Lee Roth.
Having already released five original jazz compact discs, Tim now will channel his energy into creating interpretations of rock and roll standards. The music of Jagger and Richards, Tim’s recent employers, serves as the inspiration for his most recent recording project, soon to be completed.
Tim has written over one hundred compositions in both the jazz and classical idioms. This fusion of styles is evident in his work with PRISM, a saxophone quartet which presents a diverse repertoire in both acoustic and electronic environments. Prism performed William Bolcom’s Concerto Grosso with 13 orchestras, including Detroit, Dallas and Cleveland. Tim also performed the American premiere of Takashi Yoshimatsu’s Cyberbird Concerto with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall.A graduate of the University of North Texas and the University of Michigan, Tim has served on the faculties of The New School, City College of New York and the Mannes College of Music. Tim is currently teaching saxophone and jazz combo at Rutgers and New Jersey City University. He frequently travels to other universities, jazz festivals and clinics as a teacher of saxophone, composition and improvisation. Tim uses Selmer saxophones exclusively, Francois Louis mouthpieces and Rico Reeds.
“I thought what Tim recorded was amazing. The playing is beautiful, too - Tim always has such a beautiful sound.” --Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards
“Ries brings a keen intellect to the bandstand...” --Detroit Free Press
“In Tim’s playing there is the strong passion and searching quality which for me must be present in really great, spontaneous jazz.” --Dave Liebman
“relaxed mastery of improvisation on advanced harmonic material” --Jazz Times
“A saxophonist on the way to his own voice with touches of Trane and Joe Henderson” --Stereophile
“...The outstanding Tim Ries' expansive and searing tenor projects into disturbing areas of the cultural psyche...” --Jazz Times
“Ries makes a mark with his strong writing that manages to take the soloists in new directions” --AllAboutJazz.com
“A strongly personal record, almost every tune seems - and feels - associated with some strong emotion” --The Penguin Guide to Jazz (4th Ed.)
Selmer Mark VI, 160xxx
Francois Louis - Wooden & Silver
Rico Grand Concert
Alto Saxophone
Selmer Mark VI, 110xxx
Francois Louis - Silver
Rico Jazz Select
Tenor Saxophone
Super Balanced Action, 49xxxx
Selmer Mark VI, 222xxx
Francois Louis - Wooden & Silver
Rico Jazz Select
Baritone Saxophone
Selmer Mark VI, 88xxx
Francois Louis - Wooden & Silver
Rico Jazz Select
Clarinet
Buffet R13
Flute
Haynes
Keyboard
Korg
