Rhythm & Jazz Radio - Local Flavor

Groove Factor

2012-02-02T21:29:00.000-08:00

Groove Factor is a collaboration of some of San Antonio’s most accomplished, well-known, respected musicians. All band members have performed locally, nationally and internationally with a host of legendary artists. Combined the members have over 75 years of performance experience.

Individual and Collective credits include everything from Gospel recordings to International Jazz Festivals. Members have played with artists such as, Ray Charles, Julio Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove, Bob Moses Joe McBride, Spyro-Gyra, Johnny Winter, Pieces of a Dream, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gordon Goodwin, Rufus Reid The Canton Spirituals, Lisa Lopez, Augie Myers, Jimmy Spacek, Dahlia Solis, Timothy Wright, Milton Bingham, David Kauffman, Kim Hill, Beverly Houston, Mark Monaco, Charlie Wood, Rance Allen and Dorinda Clark-Cole Everette Harp, Slim Man, Jessy J, Steve Cole, Richard Elliott, Jackiem Joyner, Four80East, Will Donato, Eric Marienthal, Cindy Bradley and Lynn Riley.

Groove Factor is available in all configurations from a solo piano player or solo guitarist, to a 10 piece band with Male/Female vocals, and Horn section. Groove Factor will deliver high level, energetic music in a variety of styles of music to include, Jazz, Blues, Flamenco, R&B, Fusion and Smooth Jazz.

The band is available to perform at restaurants, nightclubs festivals and private events such as, weddings, parties, and grand openings. No event is too large, or too small.

Some of Groove Factor’s member and collective performances include, Bohanan’s Steak House, Silo Restaurant and Bar, Tong’s Thai, The Carver Jazz Festival, Jazz'SAlive, Taste of New Orleans, Corpus Christi Jazz Festival, San Antonio Reggae Festival, Balcones Heights Jazz Festival, San Antonio Summer Arts and Jazz Festival, The San Antonio Rodeo, The International Association of Jazz Educator’s Convention, The St Mary’s Annual San Antonio Fiesta Jazz Festival, and Oak Hills Church Neighbor Day Celebration at the AT&T Center.

Groove Factor consists of Mike McLean - Bass, Billy Ray Shepard - Saxophone, Darrell Brogdon - Keyboards, Joshua McLean - Drums/Percussion, Chris Knox - Guitar, Sergio Leal – Guitar, Percy Lewis - Vocals, and Stephanie LaFond -Vocals and Margie Griffin, Vocals.

2012-01-18T21:28:00.000-08:00

David Villanueva and The DVJAZZ Collective

Having been a musician’s son, there is no surprise that his first language was music. David’s father, Jesus Villanueva played Bajo Sexto (Mexican 12 string guitar) and guitar professionally. David’s first interest in music came at a very young age when he would watch his father perform with the church choir. “I would escape out of the grasp of my mother, and run to the front of the altar where the choir was performing. Then I would start conducting the choir, my Dad would laugh and my mom would die of embarrassment.” It wasn’t till junior high where David discovered the saxophone. At that time the school only had one alto saxophone so the band director switched David to tenor saxophone. David matured musically quickly and soon enough he was playing in his father’s band. David’s diverse interest in multi genre of music began with his father’s norteño band and grew in high school when he joined the jazz band. David graduated from Luther Burbank High School.

“I really didn’t get serious about music until college, when I realized there are way better saxophonists.” David began his musical education journey at the famous San Antonio College. Under the direction of Jay Fort (saxophone). Then moving north to Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State Univ.) learning under Douglas Skinner (saxophone), Dr. John Mills (jazz saxophone), and Dr. James Polk (improvisation). Finally finishing up at St. Mary’s University with Morgan King (saxophone), Dr. John Rankin, and Cecil Carter.
David played with a variety of bands and a variety of genres. Having performed with several major artist including jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany, saxophonist Don Menza, Glen Miller Orchestra, Band of the West Airforce, Jay Perez, Raulito Navaira, Patsy Torres, and opened for the Paquito D’Rivera Quintet.

Years of playing as a sideman David took a step in faith to lead his own band. David Villanueva started DVJazz musical journey in 2004. There came a point in his life when he knew that to play real music he had to surround himself with real musicians. He began searching for musicians who were not only out there for the money, but also out there searching for the high that music emulates in their souls.
He brought together musicians that have more than 40 years of musical experience combined and when you listen to them play you know it’s more. There’s something historic about watching live musicians feel the music they’re playing. It’s almost a hypnotizing effect that draws you into their world for a moment or two. You can sit in their presence, sipping a drink, and not even know that they’ve captured your soul. It’s not until you notice your head bobbing up and down or look at your body and notice you’re swinging it from side to side. It is truly a gift they were given.
At times, David also performs by himself. These solo gigs are a unique invitation into his world, but like great appetizers, are only glimpses of what is yet to come. It’s his band that truly delivers both the entre and the dessert.
Together, they’ve already made a name for themselves in the San Antonio area.

Introducing... EUROPA!

2012-01-09T22:13:00.000-08:00

Throughout the years, San Antonio's EUROPA has toured in Texas, North America and Europe.
EUROPA and members of its Rhythm Section have opened for and/or shared the
stage with such artists as Will Downing, Shilts Weimar, Slim Man, Everette Harp,
Warren Hill, Chris Botti, Eddie Baccus, Matt Marshak, Stacey Knights, Tom Braxton,
Mindi Abair, Pieces of a Dream, Kyle Turner, Joe Posada, Eric Marienthal,
Michael Ward, Jackiem Joyner, Richard Elliott, Steve Cole, Strunz & Farrah,
Confunkshun, Lakeside, Joseph Vincelli, Brian Culbertson, Michael Lington,
Darrel Evan Jones, Jaared, Peter White, Jessy J, Will Donato, Blake Aaron,
Vincent Ingala, Freddie Ravel, and many others.

EUROPA is currently in the process of promoting its "ELEMENTS" and "ONE" CD's.
Both CDs features original Contemporary/Smooth Jazz and an R&B vocal selection.
Inclusive a Christmas song done and arranged by EUROPA.

EUROPA is currently working on touring throughout North America, Europe and Asia
to promote its music.

EDITH RIVERA and SOUL PRODIGY

2012-01-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

	We are a cover and original soul band. We create our own original material but acknowledge that there have been artists prior to us that have influence and shaped our passion for music and the appreciation of it. We share our craft and hear through our own music as well as cover material that pays ode to the soul artists and music that inevitably influenced us and spoke to our souls. The Soul music we select has: -no racial or ethnic limitations -no time limitation: old and new -mainstream and the not so popular artists (aretha, stevie, jamariquao, joss stone, lauryn hill, erykah badu, mary J blige, jill scott. luis miguel, ozomatli)... -no limit to genre: Soul music in the R&B, neo-soul, funk, smooth jazz relms... -music that has content and substance.. (no booty bump and grind).... -it's about the art of music and the lyrics...the message...the soul.
	SOUL PRODIGY: A combination of beats, tones and messages from the soulful prodigies of our culture. Soul Prodigy blends the art of music from every genre into a jazzy and funky groove that warms the soul and your soles. Vocab, San Antonio's siren of spoken poetry and co-host of 2nd Verse Monthlies, infuses the music with words that speak to your inner spirit. Lead by Edith Rivera, this group takes quality music with substance, touched by their own original material with a message, in hopes to reach hundreds yearning to let their souls speak.

We are a cover and original soul band. We create our own original material but acknowledge that there have been artists prior to us that have influence and shaped our passion for music and the appreciation of it. We share our craft and hear through our own music as well as cover material that pays ode to the soul artists and music that inevitably influenced us and spoke to our souls.

The Soul music we select has:

-no racial or ethnic limitations
-no time limitation: old and new
-mainstream and the not so popular artists (aretha, stevie, jamariquao, joss stone, lauryn hill, erykah badu, mary J blige, jill scott. luis miguel, ozomatli)...
-no limit to genre: Soul music in the R&B, neo-soul, funk, smooth jazz relms...
-music that has content and substance.. (no booty bump and grind)....
-it's about the art of music and the lyrics...the message...the soul.

SOUL PRODIGY: A combination of beats, tones and messages from the soulful prodigies of our culture. Soul Prodigy blends the art of music from every genre into a jazzy and funky groove that warms the soul and your soles. Vocab, San Antonio's siren of spoken poetry and co-host of 2nd Verse Monthlies, infuses the music with words that speak to your inner spirit. Lead by Edith Rivera, this group takes quality music with substance, touched by their own original material with a message, in hopes to reach hundreds yearning to let their souls speak.