D eemed "One of the baddest tenor players in the world" by funk legend Fred Wesley, Tim "Sully" Sullivan began his studies in music growing up in the northwoods of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, he enrolled at the Chicago College of Performing Arts for Jazz Saxophone Performance. While studying and practicing in Chicago, Tim was fortunate to work regularly in the Jazz, Blues, Rock, Jam Band, Hip-Hop, and Free Improvised music scenes, as well as becoming a top call woodwind player for theatre work and comedy shows.
N ow residing in New Orleans, Louisiana Tim can often be heard playing in the city's most recognized venues including Tipitina's, The Maple Leaf, Snug Harbor, House of Blues, and d.b.a.. He has had the great fortune to play with New Orleans music staples like Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Ivan Neville, Bill Summers, Henry Butler, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Papa Grows Funk, Irvin Mayfield, David Torkanowsky, Johnny Vidacovich, and many more.
A s a versatile woodwind player (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet), Tim has performed and/or recorded music around the world and extensively throughout the United States with artists like Aretha Franklin, Fred Wesley, Umphrey's McGee, Roy Hargrove, Eric Krasno, Chali 2na (Jurassic 5), Robert Walter, Papa Mali, Dave Liebman Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, Cab Calloway Orchestra, Maria Schneider, Curtis Fuller, Badal Roy, Clark Terry, Ron Miles, George Lewis, Jim McNeely, Billy "The Buddha" Dickens, and many more.
Tim was a featured soloist on the 2005 live DVD release of Umphrey's McGee - Wrapped Around Chicago - New Year's At the Riv , as well as the Off Broadway-Chicago production, Blues Brothers Revival Show, produced by Dan Aykroyd and Judy Belushi. Tim's most recent recording credits include the debut album from the Jason Steele Ensemble (Some Wonderful Moment) , featuring Ron Miles on cornet and released on Ears and Eyes Records; as well as the debut album from Groovesect (On the Brim) , produced by 5 time Grammy winning producer John Snyder and featuring funk legend Fred Wesley on trombone.
T im graduated with a B.M. in Jazz Studies from the Chicago College of Performing Arts where he closely apprenticed Mike Smith. In 2008, he graduated with a M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans where he studied with Ed Petersen and was a member of the Louis Armstrong Quintet.
F or the past 8 years, Tim has taken an active role in education, teaching music in public and private school classrooms in both Chicago and New Orleans. Most recently in New Orleans, Tim has worked in the schools and community through his involvement with the UNO Louis Armstrong Quintet, the Tipitina's Foundation, and the International House of Blues Foundation's Blues SchoolHouse, in addition to recently accepting a position as woodwind instructor at KIPP Believe College Prep.
Tim teaches private lessons in saxophone, flute, clarinet, and improvisation. If interested in instruction, please contact Tim at:
[email protected]