I'm a "Ronin" sax player newly relocated to Austin, Texas to live, work and make music as of Sept 4, 2005. My musical history up until now has been in Florida, especially Tampa Bay and Orlando, but I'm wanting to put that behind me and look to the future. The main purpose of this page is to give other artists/musicians around Austin and the globe the chance to know who I am and where I'm looking to go. For everyone else that's a fan of good music and instrumentalists in particular, I hope you enjoy the sounds.
Some of you might find it interesting to know that I'm coming off a 5 year hiatus from playing. I had to take a break from the "biz" for many reasons, but my "fire" has returned. I guess I've brought "it" to Texas. I should be ready to rock the downtown nightlife soon, but there's no real rush. I want to take my time and hear a lot of local talent, purchase some new instruments, woodshed a bit, get my feet in Texas and then blast out of the gate....
I was the longtime featured sax player in many Florida-based groups over the years, the most prominent being: Sketches, Frankie and the West End Boys, the Fred Johnson Group, the Gumbi Ortiz Band, the Dick Rivers Band, League of Nations and Airtight.
I have performed live on stage with the likes of Gumbi Ortiz, Spyro Gyra, Al Hirt, Fred Johnson, Doc Severinsen and Al DiMeola.
But now I'm in Texas and I'm starting a new chapter in my career. This will be the one to remember. So, if you're looking for a veteran sax player with stage presence and chops to add to an original project or to record some studio tracks, contact me. I'm looking to collaborate with Texas talent and I rock as hard as I get the blues and like salsa on my chips, if you get my meaning. Diversity and adaptability are my trademarks as a horn player.
Track Notes:
I play alto sax on the following 4 cuts --
Imagine That is the title cut from the one and only CD released by the Gumbi Band (also know as the Gumbi Ortiz Band) -- voted Best Band of Tampa Bay by local music columnists and fans in 1996. I have group composer rights on all the improvised songs on the album and Imagine That had airplay on Tampa Bay and South Florida jazz radio stations.
Sunny Day For A King is just in-your-face Latin/Jazz/Fusion and another spontaneous composition for which the Gumbi Band (and I) were known. It cooks with spice, eh? As was typical, I solo-out the end.
Indiscriminate Cyborg Killer is not your Mommy's smooth jazz. Inspired by a famous series of sci-fi thrillers, this track sounds a bit like a soundtrack cut. My melodic ideas are prominent throughout, embelished by the vocal talents of Richard "Boo" Jackson.
Abakua rolls out with a more classic Afro-Cuban funk vibe at the end of my alto demo. I just dig mixing latin styling with other genres. There's nothing quite like it. Again, I solo this one out...but this time into a 3-part alto sax harmony.
Unfortunately, the Gumbi Band was mis-managed and produced and the project died quietly. On the tracks, besides featuring me, you will hear the great talents of Gumbi Ortiz (congas and percussion - www.aldimeola.com , myspace.com/latinoprojekt ), Ravi (drums - www.ravidrums.com , myspace.com/djravidrums ), Kenny Suarez (drums), Kevin Wilder (keys - www.kevinwilder.com , http://www.myspace.com/knwejc ), Patrick Bettison (fretless bass), and Eddie Wright (electric guitar).http://www.myspace.com/knwejc
