There are few hats in the field of music that Jeff Tyzik has not worn. This tremendously versatile Grammy Award winning record producer has held the position of Principal Pops Conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra since 1994. Recognized for his brilliant arrangements, innovative programs and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages, he has been in great demand across America and Canada as a guest conductor. Currently he also serves as Principle Pops Conductor of the Oregon Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Tyzik’s life in music began at the age of nine when he first picked up a coronet. Throughout high school he studied both classical and jazz music. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied composition/arranging with Radio City Music Hall’s Ray Wright and jazz with the world renowned band leader Chuck Mangione. He continued to work and perform with Mangione for the next few years as the consummate musician intent on learning every aspect of the music business.
His experience composing and arranging music for the Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman orchestras led to an opportunity to co-compose a trumpet concerto with virtuoso trumpeter Allen Vizzutti to be recorded by pops legend Doc Severenson. Through this association he went on to produce the 1986 Grammy Award winning album The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severenson. Tyzik has composed and produced theme music for many of the major television networks and released six albums of his own. In 2007 a recording of Gershwin, works with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and conducted by Tyzik was released by Harmonia Mundi. It reached # 10 on the Billboard Classical Chart. Tyzik made his UK conducting debut in June of 2010 in Edinburgh and Glasgow with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a three-week series of four popular programs.
His boundless energy and passion for music extends to his activity with community service and educational work. Recalling one experience he had after performing the Shostakovich Festival Overture at an inner city school, he said “The kids had never heard music like this before. They were so moved by the power of that piece that we heard a spontaneous roar and got a standing ovation twenty seconds before the piece ended. We all learned the effect of great music on the human spirit.” Tyzik currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Eastman School of Music and as a board member of the Hochstein School of Music and Dance.