Tia Fuller has got soul, that's for sure! Fuller grew up within a musical family, her parents and sister were all accomplished musicians. Seemingly destined to follow in her family's footsteps, she played piano and flute before finding her true passion in the saxophone (spoiler: her original career goal might surprise you). Her career has been fruitful and accomplished for many years, but in 2007, she broke into the mainstream scene as the saxophonist for Beyonce's all-female touring band. Last month, Fuller released Angelic Warrior, a fierce album of jazzy tunes. Fuller happily spoke about the album and filled me in on performing with one of music's greatest names.

Times Square (TS): What was it like growing up in such a musical household? Did you always know you wanted to play professionally?

Tia Fuller (TF): I didn't know! I knew that my parents being musicians and educators meant I would do something with music. But I didn't know until High School that I wanted to play because I wanted to be an Optometrist.
What was it like growing up in a musical household? It was really exciting. We used to give concerts for our family during Christmastime. I was never pressured, which was nice. The only thing I was pressured to do was practice piano.

TS: What prompted you to pick up the saxophone?

TF: In middle school, I saw the jazz band. I asked my band director which instrument I could switch to so I could play in jazz band. He recommended saxophone because it had similar fingerings to the flute, which I was playing at the time. Also, I saw my sister was playing with my mom and dad in late high school and I decided I wanted to do that too!

TS: How did you get the job playing for Beyonce?

TF: She had a nationwide audition. There were about 5,000 girls that auditioned throughout a whole week. I found out I made the first callback, and after that one, I had two more. After a weekend of rehearsing and putting together different bands, I was in the band that was chosen at the very end. In the later audition, it felt more like a jam session. Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Jay-Z were all there. Everyone was just rocking out to what we were playing. That was the band she chose.

TS: Your record Angelic Warrior just dropped; what was the inspiration?

TF: I wanted to pay homage to the close people that have been in my life—people that have helped me along the way. I call these people my angels and my warriors. Musically, I wanted to celebrate and try to incorporate the electric bass as a horn player. The tupelo bass that John Patitucci is playing juxtaposes a lot of the lines that I'm playing. I wanted to explore both ends of the spectrum of him serving as a horn player and not as a bass player.

TS: You produced the album yourself. How did it feel to have that kind of control?

TF: It was really empowering! My manager also helped with the production of it. He and I were really bouncing off of each other, and of course, the engineer helped. It was ultimately a great experience. I would like to delve deeper into that down the line because I'm just scratching the surface. It's definitely empowering.

TS: What can fans expect from your shows?

TF: It's a really exciting show that incorporates a lot of the music that's on the album. Also, there's some interaction with the audience. It's a show that's going to cover all genres of music. Even though it's all jazz, my compositions consist of Latin, gospel-oriented, R & B, and ofcourse, traditional jazz. There are a lot of genres molded together but it's all jazz nonetheless.

TS: You're a music educator as well as a performer and composer. What are the biggest lessons that you wish to impart to your students and how does teaching inform your playing?

TF: I ask my students what they're doing and where is it they want to be? I apply it directly to the saxophone. If there's a certain concept they're working on, I really try to have them visualize themselves playing and the motion of the fingers. Usually when that happens, they're able to execute. Also, I tell them to listen to the masters and to transcribe and emulate the musicians that have come before them. I think as a musician when you're on the stage, it gives you an opportunity to educate the audience. I guess in light of performing, teaching allows me to communicate more effectively.

TS: The sax world seems like a more male-dominated industry. Has the industry been open to having you as a female sax player?

TF: For the most part, I think being a female playing the saxophone has worked to my advantage. But there are some things I had to push initially, like sitting into jazz sessions with people assuming I couldn't play because I was female. There are things that you have to overcome. Once you put the horn to your mouth and people hear you play, they hear the essence and the quality of your musicianship. Overall, it's been a positive experience, but there have been challenges that have occurred. It's a matter of using the challenges as stepping-stones. That's something I want the young women I'm mentoring to know.

TS: What does music mean to you?

TF: Music is life. I think music is a reflection, especially for an artist, of your life. It's a rollercoaster. It's almost like being in a relationship because some days it's really beautiful and other days it's like, what am I doing"? In the end, it should be celebrated.

Tia Fuller plays with the Esperanza Spalding Radio Music Society at the Apollo on Oct 26th and 27th. For info and tickets, please visit http://www.apollotheater.org/calendar/details/278-esperanza-spalding

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