Notes
Local Central Alberta Music
My name is Jeff Tyrkalo, the bass player for Voodoo Rangers. I grew up in Innisfail AB. I’ve been playing music from an early age and gravitated towards the bass guitar out of availability and necessity. As a youth I was able to play in a variety of local bands as bass wasn’t a commonly played instrument. Since then I’ve gained a deep appreciation and love for the groove. Diving deep into Funk, Soul, Rock, Reggae and Jazz.
The Voodoo Rangers originated from a heavy Metal band out of Calgary called the Black Mountain Outlaws. It was a three piece band consisting of Jason Turnbull, Taylor Sanderson and myself. We released one album and played many shows over Alberta and BC. After the band broke up Jay and I continued to make music. Through mutual friends I met Logan Wowk and after several beers at East 40th pub I was informed that he could play saxophone over any type of music. That seemed like a challenge to me so I decided to take him on it. Turns out he was correct, haha!!! And he quickly became a permanent fixture in this new sound and band we were creating. Lastly, Jay met Lee Armstrong through mutual friends at Traxx Pub in Olds. We finally had the core members to create this new sound.
Since then we have been writing our own brand of funk infused, blues driven sonic bliss in a log cabin west of Innisfail overlooking the Mountains. Also known as “The Forge”. Its whereabouts are unknown to everyone other than the Rangers members. This receipt of mystery and mystique has crafted a sound that can only be described as infectious. One listen and you will agree…. you’re hooked. Hit the Play button and get ready for the good times to roll!!
At the age of 6 Jay started on his musical path Singing with his Sister, Father on Guitar & his Nanny on the Keys. at 8 he started piano lessons. His Aunty would remove the vocals from his favourite tracks & put the instrumentals onto tape for him to practice his vocals at a very young age. He learned how to play the piano, sing and then went on to play Bass guitar through Jr High school. His grandmother told him to sing like a bird before his voice cracked because puberty could take away his angelic voice. Jay took it as a challenge & joined his High School Jazz Choir.
Always infatuated with his fathers Vintage Acoustic guitar, he naturally progressed towards 6 Strings & a Microphone.
Jay moved to calgary & joined a Power Metal band as the Lead Vocalist after high school under the agreement that he would sing for the group if they taught him how to play lead guitar, after 4 years playing with the group & dominating the local scene he retired from the project & went on to form the Black Mountain Outlaws.
Jay met Jeff Tyrkalo while hunting for a Bass player for the Black Mountain Outlaws. the Outlaws are a Power Groove Rock Trio consisting of Jay Turnbull, Jeff Tyrkalo & Taylor Sanderson out of Calgary.
Jay & Jeff have been writing & composing music since the first band rehearsal. After 3 years & an incredible run playing with Heavyweight bands like Clutch, Monster Truck & Headlining the best venues on the scene. Jeff left the band & Jay took on his guitar tech Jarin Winterhalt as the Bass guitar player for the Summer Tour, shortly after that Jay left Calgary & Moved north west into the Boreal Forrest in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to raise his Son outside of the hustle of the city.
Now geographically way closer to Tyrk after a small hiatus from playing live, settling into country living & building a Log Cabin for a jam space called “The Forge”. With the Idea of Good Music & Brotherhood in mind the guys formed the Voodoo Rangers.
Jay was invited to a local jam party to play guitar & happened to run into a Gentleman named Lee. He introduced himself & Lee said he had been to a number of Black Mountain Outlaw concerts & stated that he himself was a Killer Drummer. After a couple of cocktails over friendly conversation, The two made a quick set list went up onstage & tore up the Party.
“Once we got the the core 3 rhythm members in the pocket, we brought in Logan. Our pinch hitter” says Jay of the dynamic saxophonist in his own right he really adds a lot of flavour to the group.
“We composed roughly 18 songs & really just had a lot of fun over the past year playing music. We lead a fairly laid-back lifestyle out west. We naturally work hard & well together so if it is too hot to rehearse we don’t feel guilty going out to the lake Surfing behind the Mastercraft or if we get a huge dump of snow in the winter we ride our sleds onto the River behind my house for hours. Then I fire up the Grill, we eat like kings & play music until the early hours of the morning. We really have a lot of laughs together”
