Sax Santa Barbara Jazz

Jazz Soul Funk or Pop

Born June 1, 1973, he first started playing piano at the young age of 8, but quickly moved to the saxophone at age 12 and hasn't looked back since. He spent his early years at Santa Barbara City College where his sound became known as powerful and precise: to be taken seriously. Playing in many International Jazz festivals and competitions, he won many outstanding soloist awards, including wining a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston Massachusetts. In 1997, he was accepted to and attended the University of Southern California's (USC) Jazz Studies program where he began as lead chairs in various ensembles.

Cocktail Music

He has played with many artists, most recently Kenny Loggins, Les McCann, EMI Higher Octave artists Shahin & Sepehr, Nate Birkey, Flora Purim, Jana Anderson, Michael McDonald, The Coasters, Warner Brothers artist Robert Shimmel, and the list goes on and on. JC's influences have been heavily drawn from the great John Coltrane, Bob Minter, and mostly, the late great Michael Brecker. These influences are evident in his unique tenor sax sound. He plays with an authority and harmonic sense and with a sense of time that captivates and excites all who listen. On alto sax, his influences were Brandon Fields, Marc Russo, Gerald Albright, and Everett Harp, but now makes his mark as a tenor and soprano saxophonist. The fusion of soul, gospel, funk, and pop alto sax playing, combined with his now found traditional jazz Brecker tenor sax influenced sound makes a style very much his own; very exciting, intense, interesting, and intriguing.

Saxophone Band Leader

Currently residing in Santa Barbara California where he is known for his outstanding band leadership. Leading groups in everything from large upscale weddings, corporate events, parties, large and small combos, concerts, and the like at competitive rates has helped create his reputation as one of the best in the music business. His reputation for being professional, fair, communicative, and of the highest quality in entertainment, event coordinating, and musicianship is unparalleled.