`Repeat Offenders' to play The Rhythm Room

By day, they impart wisdom about international contracts, bioethics and health-care law and author books about legal writing, public health and other topics.

But Charles Calleros and Dan Strouse, professors at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, are passionate not just about legal matters, but about making music. Their Rhythm & Blues band, Repeat Offenders, will perform at The Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix, from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 7.

Calleros, who's been playing drums since age 10, and Strouse, a long-time sax and guitar player, helped form Repeat Offenders about three years ago to perform annual "reunion" concerts, as successor to a previous band that had retired. The reunions were so fun, however, that the group upped its performances to two public reunions and a handful of weddings and other private parties in the Phoenix area each year.

They also recorded a CD, Back in the Joint , in May 2006, which was unveiled at a CD release party at The Rhythm Room last November.

Strouse, who plays baritone sax and rhythm guitar in the band, says music offers a "terrific release" from the intellectual focus of teaching law.

"It's completely different from what we do all day here," said Strouse who, with Calleros and others, helps select and arrange songs. "And it's satisfying to be able to play with people of this caliber."

Calleros, the group's de factor leader, says making music has helped him bring creativity into the classroom and is especially satisfying because "it's supremely collaborative.

"We can look around and see how all the parts are fitting together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle," he said.

Others among the band's 12 members are College of Law alumnus Jim Tinker (bass), Chuck Price (blues harmonica), and Jordan Kroop (piano and organ), all attorneys, as well as Calleros' wife, Debbie, formerly an attorney, on background vocals.  Two other attorneys and graduates of the College of Law, John Evans and Jeannette Woods, have roles in the band; John played trumpet on the Back in the Joint CD, and Jeannette often joins the band on vocals.

Among Repeat Offenders' saucy repertoire, which encompasses blues, `60s R&B, and Latin rock: Steamroller Blues by James Taylor and a soulful version of A Change is Gonna Come , inspired by arrangements by both Otis Redding and the Elvin Bishop band.

For tickets to The Rhythm Room event, call (602) 265-4842.

To see the band in action and listen to some of its music, go to http://myspace.com/ktandrepeatoffenders.