The following is an article from the University of Rochester Campus Times written by Cheryl Seligman.  It reviews the Bill Tiberio Band show at the UR Saturday, October 17th, 2009.  You can see the original article here also.

Bill Tiberio Band meets big expectations

By Cheryl Seligman

“We are a small, but mighty force,” Bill Tiberio. leader of his self-titled band, announced as he welcomed the audience to the May Room this past Saturday. The Bill Tiberio Band, with opening act Parotia, put on a fantastic show for jazz music aficionados.
Parotia started the concert off with a bang, literally, as senior Sam Fishman laid down a booming beat on the drum set. One tune transitioned perfectly to the next, and the music never stopped, not even when the bassist encountered some technological difficulty on stage. Instead, Sam took over with one of his many great solos. The group demonstrated excellently what the phrase “the show must go on” is all about.
While I could listen to Parotia’s groove for hours, the focus of the evening was the Bill Tiberio Band, and I could not have been more excited to hear the group perform. I had heard Tiberio, who is the conductor of the UR Wind Symphony and the UR Jazz Ensemble, play a number of times before in Jazz Ensemble rehearsals and as a featured soloist in some of the University’s music ensemble performances, but never before had I heard his own group play. With my personal opinion about his playing already formed, I was thrilled to have the chance to hear an hour’s worth of material.
The group opened with a Yellowjackets’ song called “Mile High,” during which Bill’s impeccable technique on the alto saxophone was surely showcased. Warning us from the get-go that the saxophone was not allowed to be too loud, he played some notes that, like the title of the tune, sounded a mile high. To maintain such incredible intonation and play with a rich, full tone in a high register like that is extremely impressive. Every time he hit those high notes, I smiled in amazement. I knew I had come to the right place for a musical treat.
Joe Chiappone on guitar, Phil Lake on drums and Geoff Smith on bass all demonstrated sheer talent and proved themselves as masters of their instruments throughout the show. Scott Bradley, the group’s trumpeter and keyboardist, not only did thesame, but he also composed the group’s original tunes. He and Bill led the band on the second tune, an original called “Broth-ers.”
The trumpet and the saxophone worked together to create the melody.
Like the title suggests, it was easy to see how these two instruments behaved like brothers ­— particularly when Scott Bradley, not missing a beat and while playing, put his arm around Bill.
Every song brought something special and unique to the room. The third tune, “The Chosen Spot,” was written about a beautiful lake that, after hearing the music, I am sure is truly a paradise.
“Papa,” the band’s fourth, revealed talent on the keyboard with a phenomenal jazzy introduction, and the following tune, “Travels,” allowed for an alternative drumming style in which metal brushes and mallets were used as opposed to drumsticks.
The ninth and final song of the show, another Scott Bradley original called “Variations on a Theme by Miles Davis,” exemplified what jazz is really all about: expression.
The trumpet and the saxophone both adeptly expressed distinct musical ideas, both melodically and rhythmically, yet they fit together like a hand in a glove.
My only disappointment of the entire show was that more people were not there to share in the passion, expression and talent of each musician. I was glad to see, though, that people did continue to trickle in after the show began.
Even if you are not a big fan of instrumental music, I advise you to check out the Bill Tiberio Band.
The band offers its listeners an intimate musical experience that is ideal for many occasions. I assure you that if you need a break from reality, you can find it somewhere within this group’s music.
Or, if you have finally reached the last day of your busy week, the Bill Tiberio Band presents several upbeat, celebratory tunes.
But if you are simply a fan of jazz music, this is definitely a group you should hear. The music is beyond a doubt inspirational.

Seligman is a member of the class of 2012.

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Some clips from press on the Bill Tiberio Group, the ensemble which featured Mel Henderson on guitar and Gerry Youngman on organ….

Words on Music

“Jazz lovers in the area are quite familiar with the inspired sax play of Bill Tiberio, who is also well-respected in the Fairport school district where he’s been teaching for the last 20 years. Now Tiberio and his lauded Group are back with their second CD, Promise Street, which they’ll celebrate with two release shows at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre on Thursday, February 17th (7pm & 9pm). The CD is a funky, prog-jazz brew, that incorporates smooth and sweet selections into the fold as well. Many of the disc’s highlight pieces are written by the group’s accomplished guitarist, Mel Henderson (check out the soulful title track), while organist/flugelhorn player Gerry Youngman’s “In My Life” is a romantic feast to keep your Valentine mood going! (Note: Henderson & Youngman are the core of another jazz fav, Paradigm Shift). The Group is rounded out by drummer Jared Schonig, an Eastman School graduate who has won 7 Downbeat Music Awards. Throughout Promise Street, Tiberio’s exquisite saxophone sound acts as each track’s “vocal” presence, exuding pure emotion and allowing for some imaginative improv along the way. Hear these guys!”

— Michelle Picardo, Freetime Magazine

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Jan. 20, 2005: For immediate release —
Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Center Hosts CD Release Concert

Rochester, NY – On February 17, the Bill Tiberio Group will celebrate the launch of their newest CD entitled Promise Street at the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Center, located at 540 East Main Street. Two concerts are scheduled for 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

Promise Street is the band’s second recording on the Trier Records label. On Promise Street, the group goes deeper into the funky progressive jazz world. With challenging riffs, funky grooves, extended improvisations, and inspired arrangements, this recording almost seems to say, with playful funkiness, “dig this”!

Bill Tiberio is an accomplished and versatile saxophonist, who has the whole package: technical facility, heart, and a sense of where he’s been and where he’s going. In addition to being an educator for the last 20 years, Bill has performed with Fred Wesley, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Nestor Torres, Lou Gramm, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and has shared the stage with Chuck Loeb, the Yellowjackets, Eileen Ivers, Jesse Cook, and Euge Groove.

On his second CD as a leader, Bill is again collaborating with Paradigm Shift, who is receiving national recognition for their debut CD on Nagel-Heyer Records entitled Shifting Times, which features Bill’s saxophone artistry on several tunes. Paradigm Shift’s core personnel are guitarist Melvin Henderson and organist Gerry Youngman. Throughout their extensive careers, both have worked with various artists including Al Jarreau, Roy Ayers, Bobby Militello, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, and Eric Alexander, to name a few. In addition to being recognized for their playing, both are gaining recognition for their original compositions. As on Bill’s first release the story ends…the story begins, Melvin Henderson and Gerry Youngman have contributed all originals on Promise Street.

The band is completed with L.A. native Jared Schonig on drums. After moving to Rochester to attend the Eastman School of Music at age 18, Jared quickly gained notoriety in the Rochester jazz scene, winning 7 Downbeat Music Awards. He has performed and shared the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Wyciffe Gordon, Dave Liebman, and others.

Tickets for the concerts are available by calling the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre at (585) 325-4370. Tickets are $10.00 for general admission, and $5.00 for full-time students.  Desserts and beverages will be available prior to the performances.  Free parking is available in the East End Garage next to Eastman Theatre.  Downstairs Cabaret Theatre celebrates 20 years as Rochester’s non-profit professional theatre with passion.

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Dec. 19, 2004:
Bill Tiberio organized a benefit for Dimitri House at the Clarissa Room, in collaboration with John Starr, proprietor, and musicians from the area donated their talents for this wonderful afternoon. Over 125 people attended, and $750 was raised for this food cupboard and homeless shelter.

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November 27, 2004:
“People filled the lounge area enjoying the music from afar while others were lining up for a chance to stand in the event area (let alone get a table from 7:00 to 10:00). For good reason; it was because of the great music provided by the Bill Tiberio Group featuring Melvin Henderson, Gerry Youngman, Jared Schonig, and with Harold Pannell providing vocals. Bill Tiberio gave one of the best performances of the night as he poured himself into each and every note. This very diverse, warm and enthusiastic audience fueled their performance with excitement and applause.”

— Marcus Robinson (Thornwood)

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July 27, 2004:
Bill’s saxophone artistry can be heard on Paradigm Shift’s newest release on Nagel-Heyer Records, entitled ‘Shifting Times’. For more information visit www.paradigmshiftjazz.com.

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June 8, 2004:
The Bill Tiberio Band performed at the 3rd Edition of the Rochester International Jazz Festival to an enthusiastic crowd.

Bill Tiberio at the Big Tent during the Rochester International Jazz Festival	Gerry at the Big Tent during the Rochester International Jazz Festival	Harold at the Big Tent during the Rochester International Jazz Festival
Mel at the Big Tent during the Rochester International Jazz Festival	Jared at the Big Tent during the Rochester International Jazz Festival

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Oct. 25, 2003:
The Bill Tiberio Group was the featured guest group in the annual Fairport HS Jazz Charity Benefit. This years beneficiary, Foodlink, was given the proceeds of $1,750. Tiberio leads the jazz program at the school.

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Nov, 2003:
The Bill Tiberio Group just signed a distribution contract with FYE, and the FYE stores will soon have the CD for sale in all of the northeast US locations.

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Nov, 2003:
The Bill Tiberio Group just hosted a successful gig at the Montage Grille with guest saxophonist and former Fairport HS student, Michael MacArthur. Mike has toured with Rick Derringer, Diane Shuur, and Maynard Ferguson, and will be releasing his 3rd solo CD in the Spring from Tampa Florida.

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Rochester’s City Magazine, (Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2003 issue)
Featured in “Short Takes” with photo…

“Bill Tiberio is a sax-blowin cat with his fingers in all different kinds of pies. I suspect some toes as well. A music educator at Fairport HS for 16 years, Tiberio brings his talent and experience to the classroom. His recently released first album, The ‘Story Ends…The Story Begins’, moves around traditional jazz and light, funky grooves with smooth-jazz execution and a soulful polish.”

— Frank DeBlase, Music Editor

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Rochester’s Freetime Magazine, (Nov. 26-Dec. 10, 2003 issue)
On the release of the Bill Welch Band’s new Christmas CD, “Love Was Born”…

“Welch’s soulful vocals lead these pop/rock songs-with-a-message, augmented by wonderful jazzy play from noted local saxophone player, Bill Tiberio… The Bill Tiberio Group continue to support their stellar release, ‘The Story Ends…The Story Begins’, certainly one of this area’s best jazz releases of the year.”

— Michelle Picardo, Contributing Editor