Tyrone Hill, 58, noted street musician

Tyrone Hill, a popular street musician who also performed with some prominent jazz musicians all over the world, died March 11. He was 58 and lived in North Philadelphia.

Tyrone became known to Eagles fans in recent years by playing his trombone outside the stadium gates, where it was bruited about that every time he played, the team won.

"I can't play football, so I do this," he told a Daily News interviewer in 2005. "I make people feel good."

He played jazz and pop, but got his biggest response with the Eagles fight song and Mummers tunes.

Tyrone also played on Market Street below 9th, where his trombone echoed with patriotic songs after 9/11.

"People need something," he told an Inquirer reporter in 2002. "They smile, give me money, give me the thumbs-up sign."

Susan Pearlstein, a friend and booking agent, said Hill "leaves us with a wealth of amazing music and a sound on the trombone that was unique and powerful."

Knowing Tyrone, she said, "was to be blessed with his loyalty and kind soul."

She said traveling with him was an amazing experience because wherever he went, whether in this country, or to Italy, Japan, even Siberia, "there would always be someone who walked up and put his or her arms around Tyrone to greet him and welcome him back."

Tyrone was born in Philadelphia to John Hill and the former Anna Bell. He attended Gillespie Junior High School, where he played in the band and orchestra. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School.

"Tyrone introduced me to jazz music," said longtime friend and saxophonist James M. Dickerson. "We listened to Miles Davis and we wanted to get the green button-down shirt he wore on the 'Milestones' album cover.

"In the 9th grade, we joined the Jazz At Home Club that met at the Friends Neighborhood Guild and we maintained our membership when the club moved to the 21 Key Club at Broad and Spruce streets," Dickerson said.

"We were out there hanging with the adults, committed jazz lovers, even as teenagers."

Tyrone played with the Sun Ra Arkestra, Philadelphia soul singer Billy Paul and NRBQ (New Rhythm and Blues Quartet), a rock band, among others.

"You could change the world with the right kind of music," he once said. "It's in the Bible where Joshua blew the walls of Jericho down."

Tyrone is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Hicks, and two brothers, John and Albert Hill.

Services: Memorial service at 3 p.m. Saturday at Church of the Advocate, 1801 Diamond St.*