Since his professional debut with the Houston Symphony Orchestra in 1993, Kelland Thomas has performed in recital and with orchestras throughout the U.S. and in Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. He was a prizewinner in the Lansing Matinee Musicale Competition, the Ima Hogg International Young Artist Competition, and the Performers of Connecticut Young Artist Competition. An active chamber musician, Dr. Thomas has been a member of the Resounding Winds Saxophone Quartet, the Michigan Saxophone Quartet with Donald Sinta, and has performed with the PRISM Saxophone Quartet and MIDI Ensemble. As a member of the Borealis Saxophone Quartet, he won first prizes at the Coleman, Carmel, and Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions. In 1997 he toured throughout Japan with world-renowned marimbist Keiko Abe and the Michigan Chamber Players.

A versatile musician comfortable in a variety of genres, Dr. Thomas has appeared frequently throughout the Southwest with the Original Wildcat Jass Band, Descarga, and as lead tenor saxophone with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He is the musical director for Salsarengue, a new ensemble specializing in Latin jazz, Salsa, and Dominican Merengue. He performs regularly throughout Arizona and has backed up such acts as The Four Tops, Diane Schuur, Manhattan Transfer, The Spinners, Sam Moore, Jimmy Heath, and Marcus Belgrave.

Kelland Thomas earned the degree Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from Michigan State University, and holds the degrees Master of Music in Saxophone Performance, Master of Music in Music Theory, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Donald Sinta. He has recorded for the Mode, Albany, and AUR record labels. He is currently Associate Professor of Music at the University of Arizona, where he is Coordinator of the Camerata Career Development Program and Medici Faculty Fellow.

The Latest:

6/10

I have updated my schedule through the end of 2008.

5/27

The Wildcats are back from a successful first appearance at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. It was a busy and inspiring weekend - we had fun, played well and heard some great bands!