Born in March 97, Tyson speaks of his early influences with a mental presence which defies his years.
"I grew up with a huge gospel influence - I started in the church which was down the street from the house that I grew up in. I played with the men's chorus as my first entry level gig - I was about ten/twelve or so. I started the drums as a young child so I had already been playing for years. I would put the manilla envelopes on the floor as my bass pedal to practice. It matriculated on to me going to Bak Middle School of performing arts - I was in the jazz band there. In elementary I was also following the arts path the whole way through. At the Dreyfus school of the arts I was playing jazz, learning the history and the lineage, fully immersing myself and bringing that gospel influence to jazz.
That experience in church and playing, having my origins come from there is why every interaction I have is constantly seeing the correlation and relationship between spirituality and the music. They are so connected. You can have greater presence only after you surrender to it - get past who you think you are and what you want to play - how do I fit into that? I ask 'what's happening now? How can I serve the music?'. This mantra has continued to carry me throughout my career as a musician. It all started in church."
"I have an older sister who is 9 years older - she also started in the marching band playing clarinet in high school and my mom also played the clarinet. The thing that did it for me was my older cousin (4 years older) who also played at the same church. I would watch him all the time. He now plays drums for a pop artist named Kehlani. He also studied at Dreyfus and BAK. He taught me what a jazz swing live pattern was just before my BAK audition. We were in the basement of my church and we got our sticks out. I played that pattern all the way through my audition. Since I’ve grown up, I’ve seen the correlation between it but that pattern was the beginning of it all."
"With regard to spirituality - it's the origins of who I am beyond music. My relationship with God fuels all that I do - it's a constant ebb and flow in choosing what I do. What made the gospel music so weighty and deep was just flowing off the essence of the core relationship with God. I'm always trying to figure out now more than ever - 'what is my purpose? How do I treat others? Is this pushing me towards my purpose?' - which is to serve God and to serve others. Egos can play a part but when we get concerned with 'I' and 'me' you’re missing the point. This is a gift that has been given.
It's hard though. Every day you must choose to surrender and put your ego to the side. I may want to play this hip thing here but is that what the music needs?"
Tyson speaks of his early career success, and meeting the great Wynton Marsalis.
"I met Wynton initially before my Juilliard audition. This was just when he stepped on as the artistic director (I also met and spent time with Carl Allen, another mentor of mine). Wynton wasn’t present at the audition, I remember Kenny Washington was in the room, Ron Blake - plenty of faculty who were on the panel but I'll never forget that I got waitlisted and then accepted. Berklee sent an offer at a similar time. They both offered versions of scholarship. Berklee offered full tuition. My prayer was that my mom wouldn’t have to pay anything out of pocket. She had already sacrificed so much for me and I promise you - God did it. My four years in college were all covered. Going to grad school I had to pay a deposit but after that it was free."
"Wynton wasn’t there but I saw him afterwards. John Michael Bradford and I were at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Lincoln Center jazz band was playing - it was maybe a year after my audition. Wynton wasn’t there but I saw him afterwards. Jon introduced me. He said he remembered me from my audition! He said “you liked to play fast”. He had so much respect which was of course mutual. It was so affirming that he remembered me from an audition he wasn’t even at!"
"Since then my whole life has been nothing but testimony. I have so much gratitude. Tia Fuller and Joey Alexander, Deedee Bridgewater, Terrence Blanchard. I'm playing at the DC Jazz fest this year - Marko Pinniaterro, John Pattituci, Alan Pasquale and I. Danilo Perez was also in the masters program. With Joey, we recorded two singles “Salt” and “Under the sun” and I also have my thesis project from the global jazz institute - my first record and intro as a leader and composer “The greatest of these” - based on 1 Corinthians 13:13. During the pandemic there was a lot of multi tracking. More recently as things have opened up I re-recorded but now I have to choose which one I prefer! So look for it this Summer 21’."
Tyson set up his own company - "Beyond Measure Music"
"Beyond Measure Music was set up in 2015, now an official LLC based out in Boston - it serves as a continuation of myself in three facets - as the artist, the entrepreneur and finally as the freelancer for hire. Essentially - people can reach out to me, teaching composing and writing, but I also have my own band: the TJ trio as a leader and "Tyson Jackson Experience" is more corporate events and private parties."
Tyson offers his thoughts on the scene in Boston.
"Boston is definitely unique - I think that being at Berklee exposed me to a lot of not just jazz music but music in general. I’ve had the pleasure to be able to work with so many artists, Isaiah Beard who’s up and coming, a great artist Beane who had success on American Idol. For the jazz scene, Boston is what it is - there are a ton of great musicians here but of course it will never be what NYC is. But it shouldn’t be discredited as great music comes from here - there are great musicians here. I met Ralph Peterson who we recently lost and was a huge mentor for me. Jason Palmer who I played a lot with - we played a spot in DC. We need more venues but obviously the money isn’t there after covid. Wally's jazz cafe is a particularly great spot - owned by the Poindexter family. They are hugely responsible for the continuation of the lineage and the history especially amongst young people. Paul is always booking young guys. I got my chance with Jason at Wallys. That gig led to a ton more opportunities. It’s a staple. Scullers jazz club run by Jan Mullen is another great spot"
"Virtuosity Boston and their live stream has been great during covid. Before covid, Wally's was a weekly thing, Noah Preminger and I, led initially by Jason Palmer. Kevin Harris was also involved - he's a great pianist. I'm also doing one of the radio features with Noah. During covid it's been one of the things that has remained constant. I'm looking forward to introducing KEYEDUP! to more venues as they reopen."
Tyson also opened up about his own experiences over the last year and how he managed during the pandemic.
"This last year - my experience was definitely like most in the beginning - "what am I gonna do?" One of the most important things I've learned is the importance of diversification and having multiple avenues. Prior to covid I was finishing up the master's program at Berklee, I was touring on the weekends and made it work with my schedule. But now, I am literally producing with the Silver Arrow band - I am a manager for this region (1 of 5). Also I am a program manager at an after school program, Hamilton Garrett, which focuses on music and arts for pre-K through 12. I also teach the jazz ensemble at Berklee City Music. My role of teaching has definitely been cultivated during this time - a lot more than I anticipated. But it's good as this will only inform everything else I do. When I go out and the young kid needs to be taught I can break things down in a certain way to help them, I have the flexibility and understanding to do more lessons on the road. One thing helps the other as it all should."
"This pandemic and everything, the thing for me is that - money is great but I'm actively in a place where I want to pursue my purpose. I ask myself 'What are you doing to actively impact and better the world?' Because what good is money and material things if everyone hates you or you haven’t given back to your community? It's so important for us to serve - by getting into music we’ve gotten into the service industry. This is becoming more clear to me day by day. There’s still much info out there that I want to take advantage of."