The French ‘Masterclass’ is bringing twelve musicians, a pair of sound technicians and three videographers/filmmakers from Nantes, France, to Tucson Sept. 10~Oct. 5 for three weeks of classes and a finale concert. Masterclass participants will be involved in class work with local musicians during the day, including local musicians Sergio Mendoza, Arthur Vint, Brian Lopez, Vicki Brown, John Contreras, Billy Sedlmayr, Tom Walbank and Jeff Grubic.

The roots of the current Masterclass go back to 1995, when the French band The Little Rabbits travelled to Tucson to record an album with local producer/engineer/studio owner Jim Waters at his Waterworks studio. Since then, an un-official sister-city status has spontaneously manifested between Tucson and Nantes that has seen dozens of musicians, visual artists, filmmakers and more travel back and forth between their mutual cities for tours, festivals, residencies and more. Tucson locals who have made the trek over the years include Golden Boots, The Pork Torta, Al Foul, Bob Log III, Al Perry, Gabriel Sullivan and many more, including several who are also directly involved in the Masterclass and the three shows being staged while they are in town. Tickets available at www.hotelcongress.com.