Lio Tipton

“‘When the world stoops around us, when the structures of a civilization are shattered, it is a good thing to revert to what in history does not stoop but, on the contrary, summons up courage, gathers the parted ones, makes peace without hurting.’ Thus speaks Camus on February 2nd, 1956, paying tribute to Mozart on the bicentennial of his birth. ‘When one has really listened to this song, one has traveled all over the world and had a look at all the beings.’ In 2023 more than ever, this song is vital, ‘Such as into Himself at last eternity’ will not change him.” - Anne Queffélec

The BTMSQ is named for the little-known Washington state jazz saxophonist, who, upon his death, was discovered to have been a woman who'd lived most of her adult life as a man. The fact that the band is made up of women is relevant only because the band's choice name makes it so; otherwise, they should be rightly known as a very tight, very capable sax quartet plus drummer that combines elements of swing and funk in an intelligent, playful, engaging manner. For this set they add a trumpet (Angelina Baldoz) on one track; the rest is saxes and drums. Holding down the groove with drummer Pam Barger is baritonist Barbara Marino, who's both an irresistible force and an immovable object.