About Me / Testimonials

Hello, my name is Tyler “Reeds” Gillon, a saxophonist, woodwind doubler, and creative based in Metro Detroit. I’ve spent over a decade performing on my main instrument saxophone and am a proficient woodwind doubler on flute and clarinet.

As a performer, I’m drawn to the intersection of precision and expression. The saxophone has taken me to various places across the country (and I hope one day around the world), and I’ve had the chance to play everything from straight‑ahead jazz and classical repertoire to contemporary and genre‑bending projects. Whether I’m stepping out front as a soloist or locking in with an ensemble, I bring technical precision and passion to every note and every project. I love the challenge of moving between styles — it keeps me honest, keeps me listening, and keeps me growing.

Teaching is another big part of my life. I work with students of all ages, although more recently have focused on intermediate adults, helping them build strong fundamentals while encouraging them to explore their own musical voice. I try to create a space where technique and creativity support each other, where curiosity is just as important as discipline.

I also write and compose, pulling from the different musical worlds I move through. My work ranges from intimate solo pieces to full ensemble arrangements, always rooted in storytelling and sound design. I’m constantly experimenting, trying to find new ways to blend influences and create something that feels honest.

Alongside my work as a musician, I’m an experienced audio visual technician and IT specialist. I’ve spent years behind the scenes making performances, events, companies, and installations run smoothly — handling live sound, lighting, system administration, system integration, troubleshooting, and all the technical details that make a production feel effortless. I take pride in being the person who can walk into a tangle of cables, a stressed‑out room, or a last‑minute change and bring order to the chaos. For me, AV work is just another form of artistry: shaping environments, solving problems, and helping people experience sound the way it’s meant to be heard.

Testimonials

  • Tyler and I shared more than just a stage. We shared late nights tuned to the hum of old amps, the smoke of blues and the soul of jazz weaving through our chords like an old friend. The soul, timeless. It’s clear he walked and worked the stage lifetimes ago. There’s a timeless presence few can capture in today day and age. He had a way of holding the room— not with flash, but with fire. A quiet confidence, a rhythm that never faltered, even when the set stretched into the late leg of the evening. His improv? Unmatched. He could hear a heartbeat in the silence and play it like it had always been written. And somehow, he made the rest of us better— just by being in the groove with him. Let’s call Mr. Reeds a man of many talents. Be it, performance, lesson and repair. You must give this man a call!

    A reflection from a fellow artist I had the privilege of working alongside

  • Tyler performed at our wedding in March and absolutely elevated the venue with his performances. All of our guests were impressed beyond words, and we couldn't be more pleased. His smooth jazz will be something we reminisce on fondly for years to come. Thank you for everything, Tyler!

    Client Reflections from a Wedding Performance

  • They sound quite fantastic! I will let you know if i need any re-recording but I am happy with this.

    Client Feedback on My Horn Lines for a Record