by Dejen Tesfagiorgis
Technical Sgt. Tyler Kuebler, a member of the Airmen of Note’s saxophone section, performs during the 3rd annual Joint Service Jazz Festival in Washington, DC. The concert, which took place at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre on August 16th, also featured the Army Blues and the Navy Commodores. (photo by SFC Mark Wood, U.S. Army Band)
A while back I interviewed Airmen of Note Lead Alto Technical Sergeant Tyler Kuebler (http://tylerkuebler.com/). The Airmen of Note is a killer band, and having the opportunity to talk with Tyler (University of North Texas Undergrad and MM, University of Miami DMA) was fantastic, definitely worth the 8AM trek to their rehearsal. You can hear the band warming up the the background.
Tyler Kuebler’s Bio:
Tyler Kuebler is originally from Agoura Hills, CA, and currently performs as Lead Alto with the world-renowned USAF Airmen of Note. After serving with the USAF Band’s Airmen of Note from 1998-2002 as Lead Tenor, Dr. Kuebler is thrilled to be back with the band after a six-year hiatus, this time leading the section.
Prior to rejoining the USAF Band, Dr. Kuebler was an Assistant Professor of Saxophone, Jazz Studies, and Music Theory and Director of the Studio Jazz Orchestra at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. During his tenure at SIUC, Tyler was also a member of the New Arts Jazztet, a faculty jazz quintet in residence at the university. In addition to his educational commitments at SIUC, he taught at various music summer camps, including the prestigious Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan and the Governor’s Honors Program in Georgia.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kuebler has had the opportunity to perform and record with some of the biggest names in jazz and popular music, including the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson, Sammy Figueroa, Julio Iglesias, David Liebman, Jack Sheldon, Randy Brecker, Paul Anka, Jerry Bergonzi, Clark Terry, Bobby Caldwell, James Moody, Dick Oats, Joe Lovano, Louie Bellson, Slide Hampton, Rosemary Clooney, Kenny Werner, Bob Mintzer, Gerry Mulligan, Conrad Herwig, Ernie Watts, John Fedchock, Jon Hendricks, Pete Christlieb, Peabo Bryson, Steve Allen, the Temptations, and the Four Tops, to name a few.
Dr. Kuebler earned his B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of North Texas, where he was a member of the world-renowned One O’Clock Lab Band for four years. The University of Miami conferred his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Throughout his education, Tyler has studied with such influential teachers as Jim Riggs, Neil Slater, Gary Keller, Whit Sidener, Dan Haerle, Mike Steinel, Ronnie Miller, Yusef Lateef, Dr. Billy Taylor, John Mosley and Shuichi Komiyama.
Check out his website, and some Airmen of Note performances (Click here for their music. Please, Let me Google that for you)
Some of Tyler’s Quotes from the Interview:
- Since the Airforce Band is active duty, I had to go through basic training…but that prepares you for the military side of it. Once you’ve through with that, then you’re full active duty.
- (How do band members push each other) You can never relax because everyone is playing at such a high level all the time…Healthy competition keeps you on your toes.
- Start Studying the Masters, internalize what you’ve learned, and take that as a starting point.
- There’s not many people that can just be players these days…unless your only goal is to play and you’re willing to accept the sacrifice in all levels of your life.
- No matter what you play, always play piano. You got to have piano chops for general musicianship.
Like what you see? Want to hear from a certain artist? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.
