Chihuahua, Chih. México, Adrián Terrazas González grew up surrounded by the traditional music of Central-America, from Danzón, Boleros and Rumba to Son and Mambo. Adrián began developing his musical ability at the age of 10. He was inclined to play the flute with an understanding of classical music and a peculiar attraction to ancient Aztec music. Five years later he took on the tenor saxophone. His grandmother, a "Rumba Nut", according Adrián, urged her grandson in that direction, but the young player had already picked out a model for himself - John Coltrane.
2001 was a year that would profoundly impact Adrián’s music. While pursuing his sociological and musical studies at The University of Texas at El Paso he learned more about the transmission of these ideas and theories through music. In an effort to track the development of certain philosophical and spiritual traditions observed by ancient cultures, Adrián arranged to meet, learn and creatively collaborate with musicians involved with traditions originating from West Africa. One of his main interests was the Yoruba tradition (predominantly out of western Nigeria), the ancient African religion underlying Santeria (Cuba and Puerto Rico), Candombl (Baha, Brazil), Vodun (HaitÃ) and Cu Taan (México).
The Mars Volta Frances the Mute and continues to work with the band on subsequent albums (Live Scabdates 2005, Amputechture 2006) and all Mars Volta side projects (movie scores, DVD‘s etc). The group includes guitarist and band leader Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez, “…one of themost creative writers in Rock music. Playing with his band has helped develop in me a higher level of awareness and creativity†- Adrián Terrazas González , lyricist/vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, bassist Juan Alderete de la Pena, guitarist Paul Hinojos, drummerThomas Pridgen , percussionist Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez and keyboardist Isaiah Ikey Owens. Working with The Mars Volta and Omar A. Rodriguez gained Adrián further exposure, his first Grammy Award, and renown, particularly in Europe. The Mars Volta also appeared as the musical guest on The Henry Rollins Show, The Tonight Show and The BBC just to mention a few.
Adrián’s solid performance and versatility grants him the opportunity to perform with a wide variety of professionals in the musical world. Adrián has shared the stage and recorded with Larry Harlow, Erik Unsworth, Dr. Willy Hill, Dr. Donald Wilkinson, Damo Suzuki, Lenny Castro, Money Mark Nishita, Jay Azzolina, Los Lobos, for Universal Records The Mars Volta, Reggie Young, Ozomatli, EMI Gospel ArtistSmokie Norful, Roberto Serrano-Cruz, Juan Alderete de la Pena, The Big Sir (Und Und Die Scheiße Ändert Sich Immer 2006), Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez Quintet (Omar Rodriquez 2005, Please Heat This Eventually 2007, Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo 2007),Robert Carranza, John Frusciante, Jonathan Hischke, Deantoni Parks, among others.
Adrián’s professional involvement with the music industry has continued to develop under his own publishing and record label El Regimen Music BMI/EL REGIMEN Music/México. He collaborates with an eclectic number of international musicians, tours on an intensive yearly worldwide schedule, while at the same time teaches workshops to numerous school districts and universities around the world.
