A Cappella
Leading the way in contemporary a cappella for more than two decades, Tiffin University’s Up in the Air was among the first vocal groups of its kind in the Midwest, has inspired the founding of dozens of collegiate and high school ensembles, and boasts a number of successful professional singers, producers, and songwriters as alums. Up in the Air’s complex arrangements of a cappella pop, soul, jazz, funk, r&b, rock and world music entertain audiences around the world in more than 50 shows each year.
The group has shared the stage with Rockappella, M-PACT, The Idea of North, Groove For Thought, The Filharmonic, Accent, Cluster, The House Jacks, Naturally Seven, rocker Ben Folds, and many others. Up in the Air is directed by Brad Rees, who serves as the group’s principal arranger.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…
“ReDUNKulous! Up in the Air can – and does – sing music so difficult that it shouldn’t be done, and then they have the audacity to make it sound easy! Up in the Air is on cutting edge of the collegiate a cappella movement, uniquely combining the excitement of a student driven group with the experience of a top-notch music educator.”
– Deke Sharon, music director of NBC’s The Sing Off
”A really great group – keep doing what you’re doing!!”
– Claude McKnight – Take 6
“Up in the Air is taking collegiate a cappella professional. Melding pop, jazz, soul and Gospel, all with rock solid vocal percussion, it’s nice to know that the future of a cappella is in such good hands!”
– Jake Moulton, vocal drums & beatbox (mo5aic, m-pact, House Jacks)
”Up in the Air puts on a fantastic show – tight harmonies, wonderful soloists, complex arrangements – they handle pop, r&b, and vocal jazz with equally accomplished aplomb. Up in the Air has a *lot* of fun up there, and the audience does too.”
– Kid Beyond, singer / beatboxer / live-looper
”This group is great! I’m thoroughly impressed with Up in the Air’s dedication and performance… There’s not a weak link in this chain!”
– Eliot Sloan of Blessid Union of Souls
”Great soloists, a superb blend, impressive arrangements and perfect execution. Surely one of the best collegiate groups around!”
– Sean Altman of Rockapella
”I absolutely loved this group… It’s ‘Urban Jazz’! Elements of everything fused together to make… MUSIC! The level of musicality is very high, and the concept and sound are better than anything I’ve heard in a long time.”
– Sunny Wilkinson, jazz recording artist
PERFORMANCE CREDITS…
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland)
Kingston Mines (Chicago)
Northside Tavern (Atlanta)
Blues Sklep (Prague, Czech Rep)
Brothers Lounge (Cleveland OH)
Schlot Jazz Club (Berlin, Germany)
Fat Fish Blue (Cleveland OH)
Progressive Field (Cleveland OH)
The Gund Arena (Cleveland OH)
Fluor Field (Greenville SC)
Blue Frog Cantina (Atlanta GA)
Tuckerman Hall (Worcester MA)
The Ritz Theatre (Tiffin OH)
Fifth Third Field (Toledo OH)
Toledo Museum of Art
Club Akord (Prague, Czech Rep)
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack (Atlanta GA)
Rusty’s Jazz Cafe (Toledo OH)
Common Grounds (Lexington KY)
Kaldi’s (Cincinnati OH)
Coffee Amici (Findlay OH)
Smetana Hall (Prague, Czech Rep)
…plus hundreds of other venues…
APPEARING WITH…
A Cappella Groups
Rockapella
M-PACT
Accent
The House Jacks
Naturally Seven
The Idea of North
Groove For Thought
The Filharmonic
Cluster
InPulse
…and many more
Vocal Artists
Ben Folds (rocker & The Sing Off judge)
Ulrika (pop artist on Tricky Stewart’s Redzone Records)
Sean Altman (Rockapella founder & lead singer)
Kid Beyond (Beatboxer/Live-Looper)
VLADA
Sunny Wilkinson
Janice Borla
Blues legends
Robert Lockwood Jr.
Eddie Tigner
Rock & Blues Bands
Blessid Union of Souls
The Breeze Kings
Frankie’s Blues Mission
Grammy-winners
Dee Dee Bridgewater
New York Voices
…and many others
More…
Booking: upintheair@zaolian.net
Website: www.upintheair.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vocalband
Other commercial music small groups are established each year based upon the special talents and interests of TU students. These groups also receive direction, mentoring and performance support from TU’s faculty and staff of experienced performers and educators.
All TU touring groups are available for booking by completing the below form, or by calling 419.448.3366 or emailing gig@zaolian.net.
Scholarships
Learn more about Tiffin University’s unique scholarship opportunities in performing, visual and media arts.
Arts Scholarship Info
