MP3 José Hernandez - Psalm To Jabez

A mesmerizing, gospel, jazz experience from this innovative and distinctive saxophonist

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, JAZZ: Latin Jazz



Details:
Educational Background

Hernandez studied music from an early age, with some of the local great classical musicians in Northern Virginia, housed at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and private studies. He obtained an AA Music Degree at the College of Alameda, Alameda, CA., and went on to the BA of Music program at San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA.

Early Musical Experience

By the age of 16, Hernandez was already an accomplished musician, performing as principal oboist in the National Jewish Community Center Headquarters Orchestra, and on to the National Youth Art Gallery Orchestra, as second oboist. Later, before entering into the U. S. 8th Air Force Headquarter Symphonic Band, as principal oboist, he played in the Fairfax Virginia Civic Symphony, in Fairfax, VA.

After touring with the United States 8th Air Force Touring Symphonic Band, under the direction of renowned director and composer, Donald Green, Commander, he began his career within the Jazz genre, which proved to be a natural adaptation. As principal oboist in the band, Hernandez became a well-tempered side musician and writer and transcriber during his tour. He was often commissioned to transpose many musical compositions for performance by the United States 8th Air Force Symphonic Band. While performing as principal oboist, he toured with the band all over Canada, United States and abroad as musical ambassadors for the United States mission of peace.

After leaving the Air Force Band, Hernandez toured, as a side musician, with jazz ensembles, performing to many diverse audiences of note. He played on concerts, as added attractions, on shows with greats like, George Benson, George Duke, Billy Stewart, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, Patrice Rushen, The Silvers, The Temptations, Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, The Spinners, Melba Moore, Herbie Hancock, The Black Birds, The Ohio Players, Bill Summers, Gato Barbieri, Pete and Sheila Escovedo, Phil Upchurch, Sarah Vaughn, Nat Adderley and Cannonball Adderley, Stanley Turrentine, Richie Cole, David âFatheadâ Newman.

Musical Compositions

A most impressive portfolio of musical compositions was written and composed by Hernandez for the Soul Train Label, where he performed and composed over six musical compositions for one of R&B music's most beloved and consistently popular vocal groups, The Whispers. He composed the theme to the noted television show, âSoul Trainâ which was performed in national syndication. Hernandez arranged and composed for several artist on the Love Joy Record Label, produced by Jimmy Hildreth, executive producer and President. Some of the artists on this label are Lenny Williams, Pete Escovedo, The Pointer Sisters, and Bryan Carter, of LoveJoy Records.

Professional Recordings And Recent Exploits

Hernandez has recorded and performed with many great artists such as the Black Birds, George Duke, the renowned Jimmy Smith, Jazz Organist, Lenny Williams, Jules Broussard, Brian Carter, Pete Escovedo, Confunkshun, Michael Cooper, The 8th Air Force Band, San Francisco State Symphonic Orchestra, Jewish Community Center National Symphony, The National Youth Art Gallery Orchestra, The Fairfax Civic Symphony, The Whispers, The Greg Khin Band, Larry Ellis, Analysis, Ricardo Scales, St. Gabrielle's 2nd Line Marching Band, Bill Summers, and a host of other professional artist throughout the many years of professional performances and appearances.

Most recently, Hernandez has been touring as side musician with Jimmy Smith, renowned Jazz Organist, and has played in concerts featuring Joe Williams, Patti Austin, Sidney Poitier, Analysis and Larry Ellis, Cool-Jazz recording artists. He has performed all across Europe, the South Pacific, Canada, to all people who love music as a melting pot of ideas and principals supported by melodic and rhythmic cohesiveness. As an educator, Hernandez teaches music performance and theory, and instrumental music instruction, at West Campus High School in Sacramento, CA., to kids as first time musicians. He has just finished the first of a series of original compositions inspired by teaching students at the West Campus High School. Being a spiritual improvisario and educator, he has written melodies and has incorporated them into compositions which have been recorded by his Sextet. The project called, âPsalm To Jabezâ, speaks to his spiritual side and roots, which he often refers to in his musical impressions as âfood and other substances from Godâ. All in all, there are nine unabridged compositions on this CD reflecting his deep compassion and understanding of life, his family and the mark, which has been placed upon his life to express to others called, âMusical Talentâ, given to him from God. The CD, âPsalm to Jabezâ, is inspired as a Gospel Jazz Experience.

Hernandez is in the studio again recording original compositions of sorts expressing his âRoots Down Deepâ, which happens to be the name of his newest project. This project, with intrepidation, expresses all of his Afro-Hispanic nuances and impressions through rhythm and melody. Please be advised that Hernandezâs music is a prayer for all to use the mark God has placed upon them, great or small, for the advancement of Godâs purpose, love and happiness, to be spread throughout the world for all to witness and to be filled with many âFruits of The Spiritâ.

In His Own Words

"I am grateful for the efforts of both Cortelow Payne and Arthur L. Dawkins, black educators of exceptional musical facility, for believing in me as a child from elementary school to high school with continued musical support and moral developmental ideals of encouragement in regards to music as an expression of life and its purpose. Therefore, through their teachings, I have developed the understanding that, âAir is to Music as Food is to Lifeâ".

âAs we breathe air into our lungs, down through our instruments, each expression which springs forth with spontaneity should and must reflect sound menus of nourishment as food for life and truth in the form of rhythm and melodies of spice, to be served up as the linguistics of sound as it relates to lifeâ.

As a final note, José Hernandez can be heard on the now deceased renowned Jazz Organist, Jimmy Smithâs, last CD entitled, âBlack Catâ, along with Phil Upchurch, Legendry Jazz Guitarist. Hernandez is performing as Tenor Saxophonist on tracks 9-12.

If Any One Has an Ear, Let Them Listen Closely To JOSÉ HERNANDEZ, Musician, Educator, Performer, Writer, Arranger, Innovator, Family Man, and Saxophonist Extraordinaire.