Average Jazz Band

By Michelle J. Mills, SGVN
Twitter.com/mickieszoo

With the humble name Average Jazz Band, this new local group has been making great strides in the music scene. The seven-piece group scored a spot on stage during Make Music Pasadena this past spring and regularly performs at Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue in Claremont. AJB will be performing at AzoVino Wine Bar and Gallery in Covina Saturday.

AJB was formed by Pomona drummer Mark Aragon.

“I had a dream for a long time to develop my own band that would serve as a musical outlet for my own creativity,” Aragon said.

Aragon began by arranging music for his group that would consist of three horns, guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. The goal was for the band to offer tight melodies and good counter harmony for a little big band sound.

Band manager and soundman Carlos Hernandez joined Aragon in fleshing out his plans last year. They started by looking to Aragon’s alma mater, Azusa Pacific University in Glendora, for musicians and finished the lineup with the help of Craigslist. By last December, AJB was ready for rehearsal and by April had played its first show, but now without a challenge.

In March, Aragon was diagnosed with melanoma, which spread from his back into his lymph system. He had surgery in April to remove cancerous lymph nodes and tissue under his right arm. Aragon kept his commitment to AJB with the help of his friend Lance Beckford sitting in on drums, while he under-went another surgery, radiation and recovered enough to play in June.

During his fight against cancer, Aragon kept busy with the things he could do for the band, such as booking gigs and looking for music.

“Because my mind was still active, but my body was not very able, I obsessed over getting this thing started,” Aragon said. “I looked so forward to being able to launch this.”

Today, AJB’s lineup includes Aragon, guitarist Alvin Castro Jr., bassist Sean Barrett, keyboardist Andrew Van Vlear and Jo Hughes on saxophone, Hayden Jaeger on trombone and Blake Martin on trumpet. There are also occasional guest vocalists and musicians. Frans Schreuders helps roadie for Aragon, as he still has a few limitations.

AJB’s basic repertoire consists of standards, swing and funk, but they are also delving into fusion and pop. Aragon aims to keep enriching their range so that fans will not always hear the same music.

“It’s important to me that we are always challenging each other and are using it as an opportunity to grow our musical ability,” Aragon said. “I never want to be complacent in what we’re playing.”

Aragon has developed and is expanding the band’s set list in several ways. He does arranging, as well as enlists other AJB members to arrange songs they like. Aragon also is a member of jazz arranger Jim Martin’s club web site (www.pdfjazznusic.com), which is a good resource for jazz combo and big band charts and he ad received a selection of funk charts from his friend, jazz pianist, composer and arranger Dominic Mazzoni.

Aragon’s first love and first instrument was the drums. He was always banging on pots and pans and thrashed a child’s drum set he received at age 5. By 10 he was ready for the school band and his parent’s bought him a real drum set for Christmas. He played a little piano in high school and garnered a degree in music education from APU.

Aragon plans to look for more opportunities in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire for AJB to perform. It can be tough because some venues hesitate due to the band’s size, while others only want to book groups with a vocalist.

“I’m very committed to the instrumental sound and I believe in what we’re doing, so I’m willing to wait for the gigs that will appreciate what we’re doing as opposed to modifying our sound,” Aragon said. “One of the advantages is that we’re always family friendly.”

Aragon encourages people to check out AJB despite what they may or may not know about Jazz. He feels that their music is interesting enough for a jazz fan, yet still very accessible and entertaining for listeners who are less familiar with the vast genre.

“We’re a fresh opportunity for people to revisit jazz,” Aragon said. “If they found jazz that they haven’t been able to connect with before, maybe they’ll like our music.

“I would like to think that we’re high energy and that we can entertain and provide another alternative to some of the commercial musical types that are around.”
- San Gabriel Valley Tribune

The Client Experience:

"Average Jazz Band received great reviews when playing for our Friday Nights Live music series here in the Claremont Village this summer. I will be booking them next year for a return gig!" - Sonja Stump, Claremont Village, CA

"The band really sounds polished. You all sound like pros. My sound man was very impressed and it was one of the busiest Sundays we've had in awhile. Well done." - Stephen Camera, Hip Kitty Jazz & Fondue, Claremont, CA

"Thank you again for all of your wonderful contribution to the evening.I was so grateful to have you guys on board! It sounded great." - Adjoa Skinner, Singer

"You guys sounded great, and I got lots of compliments on the music that night! Hopefully I'll have next year's dates soon!" - Kristi Hawkins,Alumni Event and Chapter Coordinator, Azusa Pacific University

The Fan Experience:

"My husband and I always have a great time at an Average Jazz Band show. The style is classic but fresh, the instruments are played with an easy skill--each adds a unique voice to each number that is fun to listen to. Thanks for a lot of great date nights."- Teresa

"False advertising? The band sounds much better than average." - Dave

"Great show; a real pleasure to listen to such talented musicians. The drummer/band leader was especially good!" - Tricia

"You all were amazing last night! You made people smile and that's what music is about!" - Theresa

"Awesome job, Guys! You all sound great." - Jennifer

"You guys sound great! Nice drum fills and that girl playing sax is an artist. She's good!" - Keith
- Client and Fan Responses