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Robert Tye

"Living" is the latest CD from respected guitarist and composer Robert Tye. It grooves with abandon, digging deep into the modern jazz vernacular, and celebrates life in this changing world.

Robert Tye studied with legendary classical and studio guitarist Joe Fava in Detroit, where he was encouraged to follow his natural affinity toward improvisational music. His influences include Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, and Freddie King.

Tye's first release, "Virtues of the Well" (Corridor Records), was highly anticipated and well received. "Tye, an obviously skilled musician with many loves and influences, shines brightly on this overdue project," wrote the All Music Guide. The Jazz Review said, "Without a doubt one of the more promising jazz guitarists to come about on the scene." "This is music on a highly intellectual level but with a deep groove," said Jazz Guitar Online. The National Public Radio Music Source has named "Virtues Of The Well" a "Must Have."

In live performances Robert Tye has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in jazz: Steps Ahead, Earl Klugh, Maynard Ferguson, Stanley Clarke, Randy Brecker, Bela Fleck, Sir Roland Hanna, John Blake, Eddie Daniels, David Leibman, Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, and Mike Stern, to name just a few. He has also performed with such smooth jazz artists as Bob James, Warren Hill, Peter White, Alexander Zonjic, Angela Bofill, Kirk Whalum, Marion Meadows, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Jeff Golub, and Chieli Minucci, Motown superstars Martha Reeves and The Funk Brothers, and R&B/roots artists Bonnie Raitt, Katie Webster, Earl King, and Terrance Simien, gospel producer Fred Hammond, and actor Jeff Daniels. Tye is also a longstanding member of organist Lyman Woodard's trio.

The principal guitarist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Tye has worked with Erich Kunzel, Neeme Jarvi, Jan-Pascal Tortelier, Angel Romero, and Bill Conti. He has also worked with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Jazz Quintet, the Michigan Opera Theater, and the Monte Carlo Ballet. He is a founding member of avant classicists New Music Detroit, featuring members of the DSO.

A first-call session musician, Robert Tye is very much in demand these days, having mastered not only the electric, acoustic, and 12-string guitars, but also the fretless, slide, and baritone guitars, the tenor banjo, dobro, and mandolin. Tye has lent his sound and touch to thousands of TV and radio commercials for companies such as Nike, BF Goodrich, Kellogg's, Whirlpool, Meijer, Arby's, and auto companies Chrysler, BMW, Ford, GM, Volvo, and Hyundai.

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"Tye, an obviously skilled musician with many loves and influences, shines brightly on this overdue project." - The All Music Guide

"Without a doubt one of the more promising jazz guitarists to come about on the scene." - The Jazz Review

"This is music on a highly intellectual level but with a deep groove." - Jazz Guitar Online

"Virtues Of The Well" CD named a "Must Have." - National Public Radio Music Source

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