Notes
Local Central Alberta Music
Born on the mean streets of Normandeau, Red Deer, without hip sockets, I was forced into immobility, traction helping to reform my hips. Like Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, breaking free of leg braces, it was this sedentary start to life that enhanced my ability to use my ears, and free my music beast. I am a musician that likes to play by ear, the guitar, the drums, the harmonica, the piano, but most importantly my first instrument, the saxophone. I have played various venues in Red Deer, from Troubled Monk to Bos Bar and Stage. You may have crossed paths with a guy in an 80s Sunice Ski Suit or wearing a tutu, blasting saxophone solos at special events…but it was a fun night at East 40th Pub, when a fellow approached me and asked about my “jamability”. A few basement jams later and like the iris of a hurricane the Voodoo Rangers materialized in a cabin, on the old BOS SOD farm, East of Innisfail. A snowmobile race on the Red Deer River sealed the deal. “Whitey Buldger” whistled through the trees that day, Voodoo Rangers the band was made!
My name is Jeff Tyrkalo, the bass player for Voodoo Rangers. I grew up in Innisfail Alberta. 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 the 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.
“Whenever you are not looking, this guy can be caught practicing Jazz Standards and reviewing his “essentials” from university level Jazz Band, which makes him a perfect Bassist!”
–Logan Wowk
Jay & Jeff have been writing & composing music since the first band rehearsal. 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 themselves. This receipt of mystery and mystique has crafted a sound that can only be described as infectious.
I was always rhythmic! Following the beat, I was also writing my own as a child. My parents had a diverse tastes in Blues, Jazz and other musical influences like artists such as The Beatles, The Eagles, Steely Dan, Supertramp, Queen, Credence Clearwater Revival(CCR), Fleetwood Mac, etc… music always surrounded me! I bought my own set of drums at a garage sale, I had makeshift ‘cymbals’ and I would play them, out of tune, and the parents never batted an eye as I ‘expressed’ my inner music. My next purchase was a 9 piece Westbury with proper cymbals. I plugged in my headphones to CJAY 92 and 107.3 KIK FM, and proceeded to play every 90’s tune that came on. Nirvana, Our Lady Peace, Oasis, Pearl Jam, all were a major influences in my growth. I played Jazz Band, and Percussion for junior/highschool Band. Spending lunch hour practicing rudiments , snare techniques, rolls, flams etc. I improved my skills; My next kit was a yellow Pearl Export. By this time CDs were a thing and I had discovered: Korn, Limp Bizkit, Offspring, and the handywork of Travis Barker in Blink182. Well it was clear, I had to learn and practice. I started a few ‘bands’ , that never got too far.. then met a group from Red Deer 2002, We called our selves Eves Reflection. We recorded a demo and toured Alberta. We all started families or went our separate ways, but regrouped in 2007. We started a new album, more so in a Heavy Rock format, but was cut short due to a medical incident and though we wanted to continue, it was over… I jammed over the years with various artists, nothing too serious. Then I met Jay Turnbull at a Neighborhood ‘jam’ party. We improvised a couple songs. We seemed to mesh and decided to jam again later. We moved my drums into the cabin, brought more PA. Jeff brought in some new songs and new life, then a Saxophone and killer dude came in and brought some real personality to the tunes. I am always learning new styles and love expanding the skillset.
At the age of 6 Jay started on his musical path singing with his sister and father on guitar and his nanny on the keys. At eight, a very young age, he started piano lessons. His aunty would remove the vocals from his favourite tracks & put the instrumentals onto tape for him, in order to practice his vocals. He learned how to play the piano, sing and then went onto 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 and joined his high school Jazz Choir. Always infatuated with his fathers vintage acoustic guitar, he naturally progressed towards 6 Strings and a Microphone. Jay moved to Calgary and joined a Power Metal band as the Lead Vocalist. After high school, under the agreement that he would sing for the group, they taught him how to play lead guitar, after 4 years playing with the group and dominating the local scene, he retired from the project and 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 and an incredible run playing with heavyweight bands like Clutch, Monster Truck and 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.
