DOC JONES & LALO GONZALEZ MAKES JAZZ A REALITY IN PUERTO PENASCO

By Richard Scott
Doc Jones and Lalo Gonzalez makes Jazz a reality in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico
Video and text by Richard Scott sponsord by Seaside Reservations Mexico
Two days of Jazz filled Rocky Point’s Malecon with hundreds of folks from both sides of the border. This past weekend brought together talented players from up north, with well known ‘Jazzistas’ from the State of Sonora.
The kick off was an intimate VIP event at Schuk Toak, the visitor center for the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve. The Pinacate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the perfect place to be a part of International Jazz Day. Musicians around the world played as part of this United Nations celebration of the cultural gem known as Jazz. Puerto Peñasco’s Mayor Ernesto ‘Kiko’ Munro welcomed guests to hear the Festival’s first notes. Singer Nayo Jones really brought the room to life with a set of Jazz standards. Her backing band was lead by none other than her father Doc Jones.
Doc’s touch was evident on the Festival’ Main stage both Friday and Saturday evening. Holding down duties on piano, his band had the crowd in rapt attention, that is when they weren’t on their feet dancing! Sax player Terry Campbell took a moment to ask the crowd ‘where ‘ya from?’ ‘New Mexico’, ‘San Luis’, ‘California’, even ‘Germany’ came back from the audience.
Mexico was represented at the Festival by Soundsets, Josh Ellis, Richard Scott Ensemble, and Primera Clasé. Two great tenor sax players from Sonora were there as well. Angel Valdez, and Armando Noriega have their roots in the once common dance orchestras. Both still play with fire, precision, and a depth of expression available only to the most experienced musicians.
Capping off two complete nights of (free!) music, Carlos Rivas and his seasoned Salsa group brought out the real dancers in the crowd, turning great music into a great show!
Along with the Jazz, the Malecon welcomed painters and craft makers to the ‘Cultural Swap meet’. It was a great chance to see them create works of art, live, while enjoying some great food from the many local vendors present.
Doc Jones has agreed to come back for 2017. This year, he will extend his music education program. Currently working with kids in Phoenix, Peñasco will begin receiving instruments and training that will last them a life time.

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Jazz hits Rocky Point!

Two days of Jazz filled Rocky Point’s Malecon with hundreds of folks from both sides of the border. This past weekend brought together talented players from up north, with well known ‘Jazzistas’ from the State of Sonora.

The kick off was an intimate VIP event at Schuk Toak, the visitor center for the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve. The Pinacate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the perfect place to be a part of International Jazz Day. Musicians around the world played as part of this United Nations celebration of the cultural gem known as Jazz. Puerto Peñasco’s Mayor Ernesto ‘Kiko’ Munro welcomed guests to hear the Festival’s first notes. Singer Nayo Jones really brought the room to life with a set of Jazz standards. Her backing band was lead by none other than her father Doc Jones.

Doc’s touch was evident on the Festival’ Main stage both Friday and Saturday evening. Holding down duties on piano, his band had the crowd in rapt attention, that is when they weren’t on their feet dancing! Sax player Terry Campbell took a moment to ask the crowd ‘where ‘ya from?’ ‘New Mexico’, ‘San Luis’, ‘California’, even ‘Germany’ came back from the audience.

Mexico was represented at the Festival by Soundsets, Josh Ellis, Richard Scott Ensemble, and Primera Clasé. Two great tenor sax players from Sonora were there as well. Angel Valdez, and Armando Noriega have their roots in the once common dance orchestras. Both still play with fire, precision, and a depth of expression available only to the most experienced musicians.

Capping off two complete nights of (free!) music, Carlos Rivas and his seasoned Salsa group brought out the real dancers in the crowd, turning great music into a great show!

Along with the Jazz, the Malecon welcomed painters and craft makers to the ‘Cultural Swap meet’. It was a great chance to see them create works of art, live, while enjoying some great food from the many local vendors present.

Doc Jones has agreed to come back for 2017. This year, he will extend his music education program. Currently working with kids in Phoenix, Peñasco will begin receiving instruments and training that will last them a life time.

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