About Us

TZZY is a duo consisting of Theresa Quinn, who sings, and Stuart Tisdale, who sings and plays the guitar.

Theresa Quinn has sung in various local choruses and an a capella group, known as the Chevies, formed with teachers at Cheverus High School, where she taught for over twenty years before returning to public education.

Stuart Tisdale has played lead guitar in the Elmore Twist Band, a five-person band (Ross Thompson - lead singer, Jeremy Longyear - bass, Bill Bennett - drums, Jim Austin - keyboards) that has played around Portland and western Maine for over thirty years, including opening for Foreigner and the Doobie Brothers at their concerts in Maine.  He also plays lead guitar in the Elmores, a trio that includes the bass player and drummer from the Elmore Twist Band; and the Quahogs, a trio that includes the keyboard player from the Elmore Twist Band and drummer, Kenny Chapman.

The usual performance set-up for TZZY is Terry and Stuart’s two-part harmonies accompanied by a finger-picked Martin acoustic guitar.  Our recordings also include a stand-up hollow body bass and a Dobro, both played by Stuart. We will consider adding instruments depending on players’ availability and your budget.

Our usual set lists include a blend of covers and originals.  On request we can tailor the set list to include more of one or the other.  On request, we can also learn material not on the set list.

Reflections

For thousands of years human beings have been singing together. Work songs, religious songs, learning songs, protest songs, and campfire songs gave human beings a sense of community, connection, and entertainment long before the development of the commercial recordings industry.

The entertainment industry has caused a shift away from informal singing. Our culture spends more time buying and sharing recordings of highly marketed recording artists than gathering together to sing as a community. Fewer people sing along because they have bought into the idea that singing belongs to professionals with exceptional voices. Inter-generational and family sing-a-longs are a rarity now, with the exception perhaps of religious services and The National Anthem at sporting events. We believe that people are yearning for more local community activities that celebrate music for its own sake and that encourage all people to use their voices.