Giant Steps Jazz Concert – 2024

Join Us for the Annual Giant Steps Jazz Concert & Silent Auction!

Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Rincon University High School Auditorium
421 N Arcadia Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711

Click here https://bit.ly/GiantStepsTix to purchase tickets! ($10 suggested donation)

Don’t miss this incredible evening of live jazz performances by the talented students of the RUHS Jazz Bands, alongside a Silent Auction featuring local donated items. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy fantastic music and support an excellent program!

Giant Steps Jazz Concert: A Night of Music, Talent, and Community Support

The Giant Steps Jazz Concert is a highly anticipated annual event showcasing the exceptional student musicians of the Rincon University High School (RUHS) Jazz Bands. First introduced in 2018, the concert was created to fundraise for the band’s trip to the prestigious Midwest Clinic, one of the most renowned gatherings for music educators and students. Following a rigorous audition process, RUHS Jazz I students were selected to perform at the clinic, where they showcased their talents to a global audience of music professionals.

The inaugural concert far exceeded expectations—raising crucial funds while highlighting the exceptional talent of the RUHS jazz program. Thanks to the overwhelmingly positive response from the community, Giant Steps has since become an annual tradition, offering local audiences the chance to experience the high-energy, intricate sound of the RUHS jazz bands.

A Night to Remember: Supporting the Future of Jazz Education

The Giant Steps Jazz Concert is a memorable night of live music, offering the chance to support an outstanding music program recognized at the state level for its excellence. The event features a Silent Auction, generously supported by donations from local businesses and individuals, and plays a crucial role in raising funds to keep this program thriving.

By attending and participating in the auction, you’re directly contributing to the program’s continued success. The auction boasts a variety of items, from exclusive local experiences to unique, one-of-a-kind treasures. Every bid you place helps ensure the ongoing success of RUHS Jazz, allowing future generations to experience the joy and educational value of music.

Visit the auction item page to see a list of auction items. If you want to donate an item, please email us at VPfundrasing@RangerBand.org.


Special Guest Drew Sheets

Drew Sheets performing with RUHS Jazz Band 12/12/24

“After graduating from University High School in 2013, Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies on trombone from the University of Arizona. He then pursued a second bachelor’s in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science while working in Dr. Andrew Fuglevand’s lab, researching solutions to restore movement in patients with spinal cord injury. Throughout this period, Drew remained an active performer in Tucson’s music scene, playing with groups including the Big Band Express, Lonely Street Productions, Lucky Devils Band, Tucson Latin Jazz Nonet, and The Temptations. Drawn to research in brain-computer interfaces, Drew began his PhD in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Chicago in 2021. He initially worked with the late Dr. Sliman Bensmaia on restoring the sensation of touch in patients with spinal cord injury through neuroprosthetics before joining Dr. Marlene Cohen’s lab, where he currently studies visual processing and cognition in Alzheimer’s disease. While advancing his research, Drew has expanded his musical repertoire to include trumpet and tenor saxophone and performs regularly with local groups FuzZz, Cloudtone, and the UChicago Jazz Ensemble.”



 

Join Us for a Night of Jazz and Community!Giant Steps Jazz Concert 2023

December 12, 2024, at 6:00 pm 

Rincon / University High School Auditorium – 421 N Arcadia Blvd. Tucson, AZ. 85711

Join us for an entertaining evening while supporting these talented musicians. 

Admission – $ 10.00 suggested donation at the door (Cash or card accepted) or get tickets Here and show email receipt at the ticket counter.

**Donate $25+ and receive a gift card to Sais Fine Jewelry, valued at $100, while supplies last.**

Can’t Attend?

You can still make a difference! Support the Giant Steps Jazz Concert by donating online or by mailing a check payable to:

RUMBA
PO Box 57151
Tucson, AZ 85732

Thank you for your generous support of the RUHS Jazz Program! Your contribution directly benefits these talented students, enabling them to continue performing, learning, and growing as musicians. The program does more than teach music; it helps students develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, time management, and creative problem-solving. Your support is crucial to their success, both on and off the stage. Thank you for investing in the future of these young artists!

This is a community event to support the Jazz Bands at Rincon / University High School. This year, the bands are raising funds to help pay general expenses and help with travel expenses to the NAU Jazz Festival.

 

Things people are saying about the Jazz ensembles

  • “Not just another High School Jazz band” – JW
  • “I can’t wait to hear Drew Sheets Perform with the RUHS Jazz students. I remember him as an amazing Jazz Musician in High School.” -WS.
  • “I can’t believe they are high school kids. They are so good” – JA
  • “I loved being in Jazz Band, I learned a lot and enjoyed the music selections we played”– RS (alumni Jazz l)

Interested in Joining?

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