Биография Tia Fuller

Tia Fuller (b. March 27, 1976 in Aurora, Colorado) is a saxophonist, composer, and educator is a member of the all-female band touring with R & B star, Beyoncé. As a bandleader, Fuller has released three albums: Decisive Steps, Pillar of Strength and her debut album on the Mack Avenue Records label, Healing Space.The dynamic saxophonist has been featured in Jazz Improv Magazine, Rocky Mountain News, Philadelphia Tribune, The Star-Ledger, Down Beat magazine and many other print and online publications. In addition to receiving numerous awards and marks of distinction, as an educator Fuller was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Jazz Institute of New Jersey’s 2003 graduation ceremony, where she presented her “Journey to Success” speech.

Fuller was born in Aurora, Colorado to jazz musicians, Fred and Elthopia Fuller. Her father, Fred plays bass and her mother, Elthopia sings. She grew up listening to her parents rehearse in the basement of their home, as well as the music of jazz greats, such as John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan and Charlie Parker.

Inspired by her older sister, Shamie Royston a great composer in her own right and wife of the drummer Ruddy Royston, Fuller began playing classical piano when she was just three years old and continued until she was thirteen. She also began studying the flute when she was nine. Her interest in jazz came into fruition in high school. It was during this time that she began playing the saxophone.

After high school, Fuller continued her musical education at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia under the tutelage of Joseph Jennings. While there she had the distinct honor of playing with the late great Ray Charles and honed her skills in Atlanta's hottest jazz clubs. In 1998, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and later went on to complete her Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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