Tia Fuller
Biography Tia Fuller
Tia Fuller
When Mack Avenue recording artist, Tia Fuller picks up her sax to play, something amazing happens as the reverberations of her musical elixir fill the room. Balancing both worlds of performance and education, it is understood why this touring artist and full-time professor (at the Berklee College of Music), has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, (Magna Cum Laude) and Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder (Summa Cum Laude), was selected to be a member of the all-female band touring with R&B star, Beyoncé. As part of the I AM..Sasha Fierce and Beyoncé Experience World Tour promoting the superstar’s CD’s, where Tia has played in various venues throughout the US, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. She is a featured soloist on the Beyoncé Experience DVD (Me, Myself and I), I AM Yours I DVD (Wynn Theatre) and also appeared on number of major television shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today Show, Good Morning America, BET Awards, American Music Awards and Total Request Live, and the 2010 Grammy Awards. As well as having performed as the featured soloist with Beyonce for President Obama at the White House.
An accomplished performer in her own right, Tia has recorded four CDs with her quartet, and just completed her 5th recording Diamond Cut (2018/Wambui), produced by Terri Lyne Carrington,featuring: Jack Dejohnette and Dave Holland. The first, Pillar of Strength (2005/Wambui). Her sophomore release, Healing Space (2007/Mack Avenue), is an offering of “melodic medicine” and healing agent. Tia has released her third CD Decisive Steps, March, 16 2010, 2nd under the Mack Avenue label, which has received: the #1 JazzWeek rating for two weeks straight, #3 in JET magazines top jazz cd’s, and nominated for Best Jazz album for JazzWeek. And in 2012, she released her 4th album, Angelic Warrior, which received praise from Wall Street Journal, New York Times and numerous jazz publications. Tia’s quartet has performed world-wide, including: Angola, Croatia, South Africa, North Sea, Umbria, Edinburgh jazz festivals, and NYC’s prestigious Lincoln Center’s: Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, just to name a few.
Tia can also be seen touring regularly with a number of bands, including: Terri Lyne Carrington’s grammy-winning ‘Mosaic’ Project and Money Jungle ‘Provocative in Blue’, the assistant musical director for Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society tour, and Dianne Reeves’ grammy winning, Beautiful Life tour. She has also performed with luminaries such as: Ralph Peterson Septet, Rufus Reid Quintet, Geri Allen, the Nancy Wilson Jazz Orchestra, Wycliff Gordan Septet, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Chaka Kahn, Ledisi, Kelly Rowland, Jay-Z, Jill Scott, Pattie Labelle, Sheila E, Valerie Simpson, Dionne Warwick, Janelle Monet, Patrice Rushen, Erica Badu and Aretha Franklin.
The dynamic saxophonist has been featured on the cover Saxophone Today, Jazz Education Journal, Downbeat and JazzTimes Magazine. In addition, she has received numerous awards and marks of distinction including, winning Downbeat Critic’s Poll-‘Rising Star’ two years in a row for Soprano Sax (2014), Alto Sax and Flute (2013).
As a Professor at Berklee College of Music, she also shares her expertise directing 8 ensembles. In addition, she recently received the “Distinguish Alumnae Award” from her alma mater University of Colorado at Boulder, as well as delivered a graduating speech encouraging students to further etch into their “diamondness.’ Between balancing her teaching and tour life, Tia feels that she is fulfilling her purpose here on this earth, that is to “serve as a light for others.”
