_    About eighteen months ago I was contacted by Tyler Anderson, then a junior saxophonist at UW-Eau Claire. He had recorded a CD and was hoping to get it reviewed. A few months later, when TCJS was seeking a small ensemble from Eau Claire for the Young Artists Series, director Bob Baca sent us to Tyler, who had just formed a new quartet called The Coriolis Effect. Their set last October was surely the most sophisticated we ever presented in this series. Now the band, their own EP in hand, is spending winter break touring around the upper Midwest, playing some club gigs and presenting clinics in several high schools. One of their first stops (last week) was Jazz Central in Minneapolis, and their promotional activities paid off as the performance space was filled, mostly with a young crowd who are often noticeably absent from jazz gigs in more formal settings. Ranging from freshman bassist Jordan Jenkins and junior pianist Cody Peterson to the soon-to-graduate seniors, Anderson and drummer Mike Malone, they played a set of original music. In the very dim light of Jazz Central, it was hard to remember these were guys still worrying about final exams and graduation credits.

    Six or seven nights per year, the Twin Cities Jazz Society presents its Young Artists Series at the Artists Quarter, featuring a high school or college level ensemble. Maybe the most savvy student band yet was the quartet from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, led by saxophonist Tyler Anderson under the name Coriolis Effect. I have no idea what this effect is. But the effect of the music was undeniable—relentlessly inventive. Each member of the band (Anderson, pianist Cody Peterson, bassist Jordan Jenkins, drummer Mike Malone) contributed original compositions, and the set was paced as well as any pro outfit, a mixture of beautiful balladry and powerhouse knock-downs. And Tyler has already figured out how to engage the audience from the microphone. The lone covers came at the end, a better than average rendition of “All the Things You Are” featuring UW-EC saxophone professor Doug O’Connor duking it out with Anderson, and the encore “Bring It On Home to Me,” showing off the young guys’ gospel-blues chops. The band just recorded an EP with five of these tunes which will serve as a sonic business card for future gigs. And they will have plenty.

_    The Twin Cities Jazz Society "Young Artists" series kicks off a new school year with the Coriolis Effect, a quartet led by Tyler Anderson, to be held at the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul on Oct 6, 7 pm. There's no cover and students off all ages are encouraged to attend and get inspired by the talents of these young musicians
    Saxaphonists Tyler Anderson is in his final year of jazz studies at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (UW-EC), a program that boasts DownBeat magazine's Best College Big Band of 2009. A member of Jazz Ensemble I at UW-EC, Anderson has played saxophone since he was in the fifth grade. At Eagan High School, he played with the jazz ensembles under the direction of Conrad Miska, and also studied with Ruben Haugen. During his college career, he has played in concert and jazz ensembles, including the Wind Symphony and Symphony Band (on clarinet); with Jazz Ensemble I, he had the opportunity to play with guest artists Connie Evingson and Nicholas Payton. UW-EC Jazz Director Bob Baca suggested to Anderson that he form a combo, and about a year ago, Anderson's quintet released the CD, Letting Go, an album of Tyler's own compositions. Now a new quartet with fellow UW-EC students (pianist Cody Peterson, bassists Jordan Jenkins and drummer Mike Malone), Anderson is ready for his second performance at the Artists' Quarter- his first was a CD release gig in the fall of 2010. "Our goal as a group has always been to gain a deeper understanding of the jazz tradition while at the same time seeking to find our own voice in the music," says Anderson. "We are passionate about what we do and we want to make our own unique imprint on this musical tradition."
     The Coriolis Effect is working on a recording of all original compositions with plans to give away an EP to those attending the Young Artists series concert in October. The full-length CD is panned for early 2012 release along with a Midwest tour. "We are all really excited about this group, some great chemistry right chemistry right off the bat," says Tyler.
    TCJS is pleased to partner with AQ owner Kenny Horst, in presenting promising student musicians through the "Young Artists" series. Performances are scheduled for every other month on the first Thursday of the month. Sets begin promptly at 7 pm and end around 8:15 pm, followed by the AQ's regularly scheduled set at 9 pm.