Midtown Sounds is a medium-sized jazz group that focuses on reinterpreting the iconic 1950’s west coast jazz sound while also incorporating modern musical elements. In addition to west coast jazz, the group is also heavily influenced by Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool, third-stream, and post-bop, referencing artists such as Chet Baker, Gil Evans, Tadd Dameron, Gerry Mulligan, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Comprised of current undergraduate, graduate, and alumni students from Wayne State University, this octet consists of Aleks Starostka on alto saxophone / flute, Garrett Gaina on baritone saxophone / bass clarinet, Lucas Liska on trumpet, Tom Haney on trombone, Megan Szypula on French horn / vocals, Mike Harrison on piano, Jeff Cuny on bass, and Jake Matthews on drums.