History of The Jazz So'Jahs
At the turn of the millennium in a small, borrowed classroom at a local high school of Livermore, California, musical-magic was in the making. The class was Las Positas College Jazz Band/Ensemble where an opportunity arose for the active members of the class to branch out and create a small combo. With the ideas, aid, and driving force of Cindy Browne (the Instructor who gave us our opportunity to shine time and time again), The Jazz So'Jahs were born and acquired their rough draft of what the band was to become. Our soon to be locally famous name was later given to us by our very own Tim “Doc” Curry, how or why the name came about is a question for him; nevertheless the name is always in our hearts and has always been our way of playing Jazz. Like a badge on our sleeves we carry it with pride.
The band has taken many face lifts with numerous players coming and going as frequently as the changes of musical styles including Latin Jazz, Instrumental Funk, and Blues (just to name a few styles we still include in our performances). Through the trials and tribulations, the ever remaining founders, Master Trumpeteer and Vocalist Tim “Doc” Curry and Drummer Extraordinaire Christopher “Crispy” Ruiz, seized all opportunities to rebuild the band and regain the heart and soul of both the Classic Era and Modern way of Jazz. We have maintained our experimental, free jazz style with a bit of an edge and twist that some in the jazz world may find taboo, but we stick to our “guns” in the orderly So'Jah fashion that has always motivated us to be and play our very best. Jazz would not exist without that taboo and for that reason we wish to pay homage to all the greats that paved the way and defined one the best of American art forms with our versions and arrangements of their songs.
Living to play in the spotlight, The Jazz So'Jahs decided to step outside of the Las Positas College Stage and deliver our style to you. We have reached new heights with our current members and we look forward to adding more. It has always been our goal to introduce new players, expand the group and, find inspiration while sharing some of our own. If we (Doc and Crispy) must say so ourselves (and we must), the current group has been the most driven group of So'Jahs to date. We are very proud to introduce (in the order they joined the band):
John Gonder – Piano, Vocals, Congas and other percussion
Stephanie Ruiz – Flute
Rob "Tiny" Asmega Jr. – Baritone and Alto Saxophone
Porter Howland – Guitar
Matt Roads – Bass
Bill Watts – Tenor Saxophone and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument)
We all look forward to sharing what we do with the world.
Hope to see you in our audiences at the next show.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy!!!
The band has taken many face lifts with numerous players coming and going as frequently as the changes of musical styles including Latin Jazz, Instrumental Funk, and Blues (just to name a few styles we still include in our performances). Through the trials and tribulations, the ever remaining founders, Master Trumpeteer and Vocalist Tim “Doc” Curry and Drummer Extraordinaire Christopher “Crispy” Ruiz, seized all opportunities to rebuild the band and regain the heart and soul of both the Classic Era and Modern way of Jazz. We have maintained our experimental, free jazz style with a bit of an edge and twist that some in the jazz world may find taboo, but we stick to our “guns” in the orderly So'Jah fashion that has always motivated us to be and play our very best. Jazz would not exist without that taboo and for that reason we wish to pay homage to all the greats that paved the way and defined one the best of American art forms with our versions and arrangements of their songs.
Living to play in the spotlight, The Jazz So'Jahs decided to step outside of the Las Positas College Stage and deliver our style to you. We have reached new heights with our current members and we look forward to adding more. It has always been our goal to introduce new players, expand the group and, find inspiration while sharing some of our own. If we (Doc and Crispy) must say so ourselves (and we must), the current group has been the most driven group of So'Jahs to date. We are very proud to introduce (in the order they joined the band):
John Gonder – Piano, Vocals, Congas and other percussion
Stephanie Ruiz – Flute
Rob "Tiny" Asmega Jr. – Baritone and Alto Saxophone
Porter Howland – Guitar
Matt Roads – Bass
Bill Watts – Tenor Saxophone and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument)
We all look forward to sharing what we do with the world.
Hope to see you in our audiences at the next show.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy!!!
People we would like to thank since the beginning and beyond:
- Cindy Browne Rosefield for giving us our start, her support, gigs, pushing our improvement, and for being our dear friend and mentor since we've met her and for many years to come.
- Our families who have supported and motivated us through all those years of not knowing what we were doing on our instruments to get to where we are now (hopefully we have improved).
- Rene and Gloria Ruiz for all the years we got to use their garage for practice and loved every minute of it.
- Emily James for helping the moving of the drums and other heavy equipment from gig to gig and for being our awesome cocktail waitress when we are in performance.
- The Asmega family for also opening their garage door for us to practice in. Your hospitality is much appreciated.
- Bill Watts for the awesome website you are visiting today.
- Dane Pador – Guitar and Vocals (Co-founder)
- Richard Lagomarsino – Bass (Co-founder)
- Stephan Wright – Tenor Saxophone (Co-founder)
- Joe Cuoto – Piano (Co-founder)
- Dennis Crimmins – Guitar
- Jason Briggs – Alto Saxophone