Your father was a professional pianist, and you started with both piano and saxophone at 13. What or who inspired you to ultimately choose the sax as your main instrument?

Well I actually began playing piano much earlier than 13, But there are 3 reasons why I ultimately choose to play sax. The first reason was back then my dad played often with a sax player by the name of Don Diego who I just thought was the coolest cat ever; He dressed pretty cool & played even better which first made the instrument very visible to me. Second, I noticed quite quickly that sax players had it nice... Man! I would watch my dad struggle with all his equipment (the transporting, the unpacking, then the packing it up after the gig) and I always thought to myself "There Is NO WAY I am going to do that to myself -- I will just play sax!" They get to show up to the gig later and work half as hard and leave on time. Lastly, trying to be my OWN self.. I was born with the name "Tyrone Smith, Jr.", which with my father being a musician whose name was the same, I often felt like I would be overshadowed by his reputation if I chose piano to be my main instrument, unless I became much better than he was. Being a kid, of course, he was like god of the keys to me, so what I decided to do was both. I studied both sax and piano pretty equally and have since then been able to expand to other instruments as well.

Do you recall a specific song or performance as a child that you look back on as being a life-changing moment that propelled you into a musical career?

Most Definitely, I think I was 14 and was taking part in a NAACP event at the Dallas African American Museum. I had to choose a song to play for the event and I chose to play a song I'd seen a video of around that time, the Tevin Campbell/Quincy Jones version of "Tomorrow" which, featured who then and still to this day is one of my favorite post bop sax players, Gerald Albright. After that performance I received a lot of compliments which led to me feeling for the first time that I really would be able to play music professionally for a living. After having the chance to share that story with Gerald, I identified with another amazing part of being a professional musician which is the significant affect you can have on someone and not even know it.

You grew up and spent your early years in Dallas, but are now based in New York. How has the move to the Big Apple been of benefit to you personally?

I would have to say that moving to New York was a real boundary expander. Attending The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music not only expanded my theoretical and playing abilities it also implanted me into a community of musical professionals who i respect and who continuously encourage my desire to progress. From a personal aspect, being in New York has allowed my interaction with a plethora of types of people which has attributed to my ability to be universally applicable. New York renewed a perspective I feel is often lost after childhood which is, the world is a big place, and there shouldn't be rules or boundaries in life that should hinder anyone's opportunities.

You're not only an accomplished musician, but also a successful businessman. How did that important facet of your career come about, and who helped you nurture it?

My dad always emphasized the importance of having a backup plan, but I never agreed with that, moreover, I thought that musicians could make a decent living and just make better choices with the usage of smarter and more proactive business methods. So i took advantage of my collegic experience to study in depth different business and financial methods that I perceived to be applicable for my future.

In our current climate of "doom and gloom"regarding the economy, from where do you draw your strength to continue to move forward and think positively in your career and business?

I am a huge believer in history. In our current predicament with the economy, when compared to past similar recessions or depressions, the Arts have excelled in visibility, popularity and in economic support mostly because of the dire public need for some sort of get away or entertainment to help ease the reality of our surroundings. I am excited about this rare opportunity to be part of a solution for people, In my new single "New Day Ashe'" my collaborating partner Jeni Fujita and myself focused on being a source of positive energy in what can be conceived to be a "doom and gloom" environment.

When you're not involved with your music, what do you like to do in your 'off' time that brings you satisfaction and fulfillment?

I will admit that I am a workaholic for sure, so it is rare that I take time off, but, I have been blessed with an amazing circle of friends and family that I enjoy spending time with especially since they are so understanding of my inability to pass up opportunities to work.