Martinez turns performance out
Campus Times
April 16, 1999
photos by Juan Garcia
ULV alumnus Alex Martinez and the California Funk Society poured their
collective soul and talent onto the Founders Hall stage last Friday. The
five piece band which performed a funk and soul concert was Martinez's way
of thanking The University of La Verne and the Music Department in particular,
"for giving [him] the opportunity to play." Martinez says that
funk and soul are the two most essential and important elements in his music.
Founders Auditorium got funky last Friday night. Members of the California
Funk Society (CFS) and Alex Martinez brought the soulful sounds of jazz
and funk in a performance given at the University of La Verne.
The five piece band composed of Jarret Brown on saxophone and vocals,
Anthony Fesmire on guitar, Reed Gratz on keyboards, Steve Tashjian on drums,
and featured bassist Alex Martinez, played a variety of songs that brought
the sound of funk to Founders Auditorium.
"It was innovative and definitely different," said freshman
Horacio Romero. "I really haven't heard anything like that before."
Martinez (class of 1996) and C.F.S played some original pieces that
were definitely unique and creative twists on classic songs like "Pick
Up the Pieces."
The audience at the performance reacted with delight when they recognized
familiar songs or were treated to a great jam session.
"I thought their play was amazing," said freshman Christopher
Arbizu. "I've been to quite a few performances here and this one was
by far the best."
The band did not have many opportunities to play as a whole, but the
challenge of playing together did not seem to be a factor.
Assistant Director to the Music Department Steve Biondo said, "I
thought they played especially well, considering the lack of rehearsal time
they had with each other."
The sound of funk is not the most popular form of jazz, but has had
a major influence on the music we listen to today. From hip-hop to rock,
funk has helped to shape the sound and history of music.
"I did not know it was even a classification of music," Arbizu
also said. "But I definitely dig it."
