And we're back! It's been awhile since my last post, but I think now's a good time to get back to it. A while back, I was told that my first few posts were a bit too "musical"; that is, meant for the musician and not necessarily for the casual reader. A few recent musical events in my career have led me to the conclusion that I'm not quite ready to be analyzing from that third person perspective, at least not as much (I'll still keep it up in the woodshed). Not to mention, some highly cathartic things have happened in my life in the past few months, and I'm in an introspective mood anyway! First though, the good news: career-wise, things have been good. Abundantly good, even! The jazz scene in San Antonio and Central Texas is alive and bucking, and I've had the good fortune to play with a number of great musicians in the past few months. In this post, I'd like to take some time to give them each their due for providing me with some great opportunities and some swingin' music!
My first gig with the San Antonio-based Midtown Jazz Sound was quite a few months back, before the chaos of the Fall semester descended upon me. The Midtown quartet regularly features John Fernandez on drums, Jose De La Garza on bass and Eric Gonzales on alto sax. On more nostalgic occasions, former Midtown pianist Damian Garcia sits in with the band, when the University of North Texas is through having its way with him (much love, Damo!). This lineup is pretty consistent, with occasional visits from other San Antonio and San Marcos musicians. Midtown's set list runs the gamut of jazz from the early 1920s all the way to the present, as well as a few off-the-album charts and arrangements, and the occasional funk, pop, or seasonal tune--definitely a repertoire workout! Jazz-heads will be appreciative of their take on the Real Book and the Songbook in general, but casual diners and drink-sippers will be impressed by their synergy, their groove, and the sheer level of talent. This group is really what got the ball rolling for me, and it's been a blast playing with these guys! More than anything, I've learned the value of practice in this group. As often as we play, it's tempting to think of each gig as its own practice session; on those nights when you're playing to chairs for an hour or two, it can start to feel that way! But each of these guys brings their A-game to every gig, and it's easy to fall behind if you're not quick on the getup. Despite a few slip ups on my part, they still put up with me, and I'm truly grateful for it! If you're looking to get familiar with MJS, there are plenty of chances to do so. Midtown can be found at San Antonio's SoHo Wine and Martini Bar every Wednesday from 10:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., as well as every Friday from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Midtown can also be found at Luther's Cafe on Main Street, every Friday night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
It was through Midtown that I had the chance to meet a shredding San Antonio sax man, David Villanueva. I was really knocked out the first time I heard David play--his tone and feel are pretty epic, definitely something you need to hear if you're at all interested in San Antonio's music scene. After a few MJS gigs with him, I had the pleasure of sitting in with his band, DVJazz, at Landry's Restaurant and Lounge over on the Riverwalk. Along with David on the tenor and soprano saxes are Gabriel Cortinas on drums and Carlos Alvarez on bass, and let me tell you: this group is nothing but tight! The rep includes a few straight ahead jazz tunes, as well as several bossa novas, but also strays often into pop and Top 40 numbers, all played with a feel that Dave has come to call "Urban Jazz." Jazz aficionados needn't worry about it being smooth jazz, but the average listener can still grab a seat and be blown away by the group's effusive soul feel in a matter of just a few beats. It's remarkable how cleanly these guys can straddle the line between pop and art, and it's always a fantastic challenge to match them in terms of feel and musicality. I'm definitely looking forward to playing with them more in the months to come! If you're looking to catch a DVJazz show, check out Swig Martini Bar in downtown SA on Fridays from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and at Landry's Restaurant and Lounge on Saturdays from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
As a student at Texas State, I've had the pleasure of networking with a number of astonishingly talented musicians, and it's through here that every one of these opportunities can be traced. One group in particular, though, sticks out as being a hodgepodge of TSU talent. Several semesters ago, I met a fantastic graduate-level trumpet player by the name of Joseph Ledesma. Back then, he was just starting to really dig into jazz trumpet--his master's is in classical performance--and he had aspirations to start his own group. He's now the manager and primary booking agent for the Front Row Joes, a group I've had a ton of fun playing with, and whose members I've become quite close to. Myself and the drummer, Peyton Bradley, go a very long way back--back to before either of us really appreciated what jazz was, when our high school band director Bob Howard was trying desperately to steer us in that direction. Peyton took off down the path first, and it's from him and his explorations in this music that much of my jazz taste (at the very least, album-wise) can be traced. Rounding out the rhythm section is bassist Patti Perez, a young and wonderfully talented player in the realms of both jazz and classical music. Her walking lines are really where it's at, as anyone who's played alongside her will attest, and her soloing is some of the most original you'll hear from any bass player. I can handily attribute much of my recent vigorous practice regimen to her (since she was out-woodshedding me hand over fist!), and it continues to be a great thrill to watch her grow as a player. And lastly, sharing frontman duties with Joseph, is vocalist Candy DeClue. My first meeting with Candy was a guitar lesson, as were our first several meetings. I was surprised when she first mentioned that she was a jazz singer, but I was absolutely floored the first time I actually heard her sing, and I have been every time since. Her voice is one of the most powerful I've ever heard, and every note she sings or scats is infused with incredible emotion and passion. It's this impressive collection of Texas State talent that makes the Front Row Joes an act worth seeing!
Between these groups, not to mention school, my schedule can fill up a bit, but I'll always make room for San Marcos's Jazz Jam, held every Thursday evening at the Coffee Pot Bistro on the Square, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. There are, of course, quite a few musicians whose names didn't make it into this post, and there are often shows that we can't attend for one reason or another, but every week during the semester, the jazz musicians of Texas State find time to get together and throw down a few tunes. This past semester, the house band included myself, Peyton, and bassist Lewis McMahon, a trio known as the Roots of Rhythm, that got its start back in 2008, when I first arrived at TSU. Of all the groups I've worked with, this one is hands down the easiest to play in--every tune is one giant comfort zone! It's one of the great perks of having plenty of time in with a couple of other good musicians. In the coming semester, our schedules will be shifting a bit, but it's my hope to keep the jam going as it has been, and to see more musicians turn out to play!
These profiles of the groups I've worked with in the past few months are by no means a full digest of all the great musicians I've had the pleasure to play for, but it's a good start! If you're at all interested in the Central Texas jazz scene, the names mentioned above are ones you'll want to keep in mind--all of these players and groups have incredible potential, and I'm certain their names will be appearing in other places as time goes on! That's all I have for now, but I encourage you to check out the websites for all of these groups and venues, and I invite you to take a night off and find some good jazz in your area. Cheers!
~Art
The Front Row Joes - look for The Front Row Joes on the contact page!
Swig Martini Bar - on the Riverwalk
The Coffee Pot Bistro - at the San Marcos Square
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