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On Sept. 10, Sylvan Street will offer a day of master classes and improvisational clinics high schoolers and perform that night at Centennial Hall.

By Rebecca Ruiz-McGill, University Communications
September 9, 2009

September 10 is a big jazz day on The University of Arizona campus.

The day begins with members of Sylvan Street, a Nu-Jazz ensemble, providing a day of master classes and improvisational clinics on campus for high school jazz programs and ends with a concert at Centennial Hall.

Students will learn from some of the finest jazz instrumentalists in the business. Audience members will be treated to a concert celebrating the release of the band's debut CD "The Perfect Leaf," available now through Summit Records.

Formed in 2008 by UA professor of music Jay Rees, Sylvan Street is a progressive Nu-Jazz ensemble performing a diverse and eclectic repertoire of original works fusing jazz, rock, Latin and funk styles.

The daylong Jazz and Commercial Music Workshop students will be held on Sept. 10 at the UA School of Music and provides students with invaluable techniques from professional musicians with real world experience.

"We look forward to working with young artists and inspiring the next generation of jazz innovators," said Rees.

The concert performance by Sylvan Street begins at 7:30 p.m. at the UA's Centennial Hall. General admission tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for UA students.

The band features bassist Jay Rees and saxophonist Kelland Thomas. Special guest artists include Frank Browne on guitar, Andrew Hix on drums/vocals, Chad Shoopman on trumpet, Evan Rees on piano/keyboards, Michale Faltin on percussion, Jeff Haskell on piano, Moises Paiewonsky on trombone and Robin Horn on drums.

The music from "The Perfect Leaf" takes listeners on an emotional journey of tribal funk grooves, bittersweet love ballads, jump swing and blues with a hip, urban edge that speaks to people of all ages.

"The Perfect Leaf" will be available to concertgoers at a discounted price.

Below is more on the band members and their musical background:

Jay Rees (bass, band leader, composer)

Rees formed Sylvan Street in 2008 to perform his innovative collection of original jazz compositions. He is an accomplished musician in jazz performance, having appeared throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan. Rees toured with the international recording act The Lettermen as bassist and musical director and is featured on their album "Now and Then." He brings his wealth of experience as conductor, composer, arranger and performance to his position as professor at the UA School of Music.

Kelland Thomas (saxophone), UA associate professor of music

Comfortable in a variety of musical genres, he performs frequently in the Southwest and throughout the U.S. with the Firecracker Jazz Band, the Original Wildcat Jass Band and Salsarenque. He has performed with the Four Tops, Diane Schuur, Manhattan Transfer, The Spinners, Sam Moore, Rufus Reid and Jimmy Heath.

Chad Shoopman (trumpet)

Shoopman performs regularly at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and in Germany. He is an artist for Powell Signature Series Trumpets and Warburton Mouthpieces. As lead trumpeter with The Chuck Owen Jazz Surge Big Gand, Shoopman has worked and recorded with such artists as Randy Brecker, Chick Corea and Bob Mintzer. Shoopman has also recorded numerous projects for television, film and radio.

Fran Browne (guitar)

Browne resides in Los Angeles and tours regularly throughout the U.S. He has performed with state with such national acts as the Big Brothers Big Band jazz ensemble and the Zoot Suit Revue swing band. He is heard on ZSR's album, "Bold, Borrowed and New" as well as three CD's with Gary Urwin's Studio Orchestra. Browne has recorded with legendary saxophonist Pete Chritlieb and trombonist Bill Watrous.

Andrew Hix (drums/vocals)

Hix has a diverse musical range having performed and recorded with artists in both Chicago and Los Angeles. He toured throughout the U.S. and Canada playing with several name well-known groups including The Diamonds, The Coasters, Little Anthony, Del Shannon and The Platters. Hix is co-owner of Hix Brothers Music, where he serves as percussion faculty.

Evan Rees (piano/keyboards)

Rees is an accomplished jazz and classical pianist at a remarkably young age, He began playing piano at the age of seven and has received numerous honors and awards, including the 2008 Felton Family Jazz Scholarship Award at the Northern Arizona University Jazz Institute. In addition to Sylvan Street, Rees has studied and performed with Tucson JazzWerx, Tucson Jazz Institute and alongside such notable musicians as saxophonist Brice Winston and jazz bassist Joel DiBartolo for the Doc Severinsen and Tonight Show Bands.

Michael Faltin (percussion)

Faltin is a renowned ethno-percussionist. Over the years, he has worked with steel bands in Trinidad and has studied and performed with numerous African and Cuban musicians. As a drummer, Faltin plays in a variety of professional settings including clubs and touring stage musicals. He is a multi-instrumentalist, working as a dance accompanist and as bass player for the trio Steel Jam. Faltin currently owns and operates the Instrumental Music Center in Tucson.