From a music career that began about 25 years ago, his boyish grin and tall frame have made him a youth icon very different from any other Indian music artist. Teen music sensation from Mumbai, Rhys Sebastian D’souza, has regaled audiences to some mind-blowing classics from artists such as Kenny G, Sonny Rollins and Grover Washington among many others. He is in many ways the undisputed hero in jazz instrumental music for the moment.

Rhys informs that he has loved being a performer all his life. From the age of 3 or 4, he began singing. Born to parent’s keyboardist Merlin and drummer Bosco who are accomplished musicians in their own right, Rhys began his music career by singing for ad jingles and movies, doing voiceovers, learning the piano, the clarinet and finally getting hooked onto the saxophone.

By the time he got into college, he had picked up the saxophone and started moonlighting as a substitute for musician Jazzy Joe at the TajMahal (at the Gateway of India). He got his first paycheck of Rs. 700 working for a shift. During his two-year stint at the Taj, he also formed his own college band, and with word spreading about his amazing showmanship, he was invited by established musicians to perform at various venues in Mumbai, thus carving a niche for himself.

Rhys has a host of events to his credit from Lakme Fashion week, Troy Costa, L’Oreal, Neeta Lulla, Satya Paul and HemantLacone to opening the Pro Kabbadi League with the National Anthem and playing with Lionel Richie for the opening of IPL. He has also done many jingles including Amul -The Taste of India, Belmonte, Tata Motors, Nissan Teana, his favorite as far as composing goes being Wills Lifestyle. Rhys has also done work in musicals where he has been Mowgli's singing voice in the Hindi version and is Miriam's voice in `Prince of Egypt.'

With overseas shows, jingles, live performances keeping him busy almost every other day, Rhys, a Xaverite grad, has made his mark with practiced ease and while he claims he does not have a girlfriend, for the moment it’s his saxophone which will always be by his side.

Rhys is on a roll right now and is gearing up for his big show at the Tata Theatre in Mumbai, aptly titled ‘Rhyme and Rhythm’a show that will take you off the beaten path reinventing classics and spinning themwith genres that promise to excite and engage.

Directed by Rhys Sebastian and Creative Consultant Etienne Coutinho, the evening will be hosted by Asif Ali Beg with special guest appearances by Merlin Dsouza on the Grand Piano, Vivienne Pocha on vocals and Ravi Chary on sitar. Presenting a star-studded line up featuring Gino Banks on Drums, Tala Faral on keyboards, Kishore Sodha on trumpet, Vinay Lobo on guitar, Saurabh Suman on bass and Ramon Ibrahim on trombone.

Popular tunes such as Tequila, the opera classic, ‘Carmen’, Beethoven’s Fur Elise and Amazing Graceand others, will be rearranged by Rhys Sebastian as he brings about a change to the conventional styled tunes. But it shouldn’t stop there. This is more than just an affair with the classics. It is the event that will take you on a journey as Asif Ali Beg, one of India’s finest theatre and film actors, will elevate the music by bringing in the magic of theatre that gives this performance an edge.

We decided to meet Rhys to know more about the concert and also what he is upto:

Why the saxophone and not any other instrument?

I must admit, I felt too comfortable with the saxophone to stay with the clarinet while still being urged every now and then by my dad to pick it up once again. The piano was the same. After I picked up the Clarinet, I had no inclination to keep to the piano. My parents never forced to me learn an instrument but as a wind instrumentalist, it is imperative to learn a polyphonic instrument like the piano or the guitar and so I’m now working my back to the basics of the former.

You have performed with your mum several times, how does it feel mother – son jugalbandi?

I have been blessed to have had plenty of opportunities and a fair amount of experience because I perform with her so much. So, in my opinion, it’s more about the influences around you that shape you into a musician more than the clichéd ‘in you genes’ statement.

Did the grooming into becoming an accomplished musician take root in school?

While at school my talent competition certificates were always outdoing my academic ones, and thankfully it was all due to support and encouragement of my parents. My winning competitions were solely down to my accompanists. My mum and dad were always there for me. I was lucky to have them there.

Coming to your first ever concert, tell us howo did this concept for Rhyme and Rhythm come about?

I did a workshop at NCPA a few months ago and it was about rearranging classic tunes and NCPA approached me after the workshop to do a gig on similar lines.

Have you composed any original work?

I have and I will be playing two original tracks at Rhyme & Rhythm this weekend.

Have you done any work for Bollywood?

There are a few movies for which I’ve recorded the saxophone parts. Recently, I’ve done it for ‘Shandaar’, ‘Bombay Velvet’ and ‘David’.

Do you plan on releasing an album one day?

Yes! I’ve been working on the album for the past couple of months and hopefully, will be releasing it early March this year.

What music do you like listening to?

There’s so many of them but these are my go-to artists – Yellow Jackets, Joshua Redman, Earth Wind and Fire and Steely Dan.

How many hours do you devote to playing the sax?

Whenever I get time between recording sessions and gigs.

Do you have a permanent backup band or do you plan to have your own band one day, (like Indiva) or something like that?

I’m a part of The Bartender and work as a co-arranger with Mikey McCleary but I don’t have a plan to start my own band anytime in the near future.

What are your future plans?

Currently, I’m focused on building my identity as a music composer and producer and getting my album out by early March!

What is your parting advice to youngsters your age?

If it’s any art form you like to follow, do it. Try and source the right crowd to let your creativity flow. You’ll know when it’s right. If there’s any other thing you’d like to follow, then go for it. But make sure you find some time to indulge after a long day’s work. It helps.

Watch Rhys live in concert on:

Date: Saturday, 20^th February 2016

Venue: NCPA, Tata Theatre

Time: 7 pm.

Tickets: Rs. 300 onwards

Available at: Bookmyshow.com

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira