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| What Our Friends Have to say |
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| Michael Ruff |
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Michael Ruff
Much thanks for inviting myself and the trio, Marco Mendoza, Joey Heredia, Renato Neto to join you. So much fun, I think lots of people were blessed.
It's like having 16 of the worlds best doctors fussing over you, 16 of the most�anointed preachers giving a message... 16 of the worlds most gifted, sincere, talented and funky musicians in one place for one reason, to heal you with music and humble giving hearts. Keep it up Santa Fe and Fat City horns.�
I was honored to share the stage with you guys and of course the unfairly, overly gifted Bill Champlin, wow.
Prince sniped a table from my wife and kids. Nice. No problem we had some church right there at the Palms! Even the ladies of the night were singing "free,free, free" at the bar. (no pun intended, that's a lyric from the song "Testimony" Bill joined in on vocals and organ. Did I say thanks? Thanks again.
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TOM SCHUMAN (SPYRO GYRA) http://www.jazzbridge.com http://www.spyrogyra.com
“I am still decompressing from what I believe to be one of the most satisfying musical experiences of my professional career! I felt both honored and blessed when I got the call from Jerry Lopez to play the whole night with them April 2, 2007. I woodshed the material for a week before the show so I could concentrate on just having fun with the guys rather than trying to read the book cold (which, believe me would have been impossible). I had no idea just how much fun I was in for. These guys give 200% every time they hit the stage together. It’s like playing with Tower of Power (on steroids), Chicago and Santana all at the same time. Thank you guys so much for a great evening. I am now totally healed!”
TOM SCHUMAN |
CARMEN GRILLO (Tower of Power, Sons of Champlin) www.carmengrillo.com
"I had the pleasure of sitting in with these guys last time I was in Las Vegas. Jerry Lopez asked me to come and catch the first set at the Palms and we would do a little something in the second set. After hearing and 100% enjoying one of the greatest bands I have ever heard in my life, I was trying to think of a million reasons to bail out. How could I get up there with the tightest horn band on the planet and just “sit in”? Well, after Jerry’s warm introduction made me feel so welcome, I just had to get up there and let her rip. This was actually quite easy because with a band that is as great as these guys are, I could have played left handed and sung in the wrong key they still would have made me me sound good.
If you are ever in Las Vegas and need a Soul Vaccination, be good to yourself and go see these guys play. They set a new standard by which all horn bands should be measured."
Carmen Grillo
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From Bill Champlin of "CHICAGO" & "SONS OF CHAMPLIN" www.billchamplin.net
"The Santa Fe big band is a project that needs to happen. A horn thang with some real focus on singers, songs and just great soloing. The arrangements are what we like to call "STOOPID". The players are scary and the singers are, well you all know what I think of the Lopez family and all the mofos that work with them. "They be completely Baaaaaad." I'm hoping to come in on one of our off nights or after one of our shows and hear some my songs the way they're supposed to sound. To sing in front of this squad has got to be intimidating, I can't wait. (Guys, whip me, beat me, make me write bad checks.) See ya' all in October. Check out this band. It's what all the "Horn Bands" should be but rarely are. See ya' there."
Bill Champlin
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"I had the pleasure of working with Jerry and many of the guys in Santa Fe a few years ago for the "Storm" show as an arranger. These are some of the coolest people and finest musicians I've worked with anywhere in the world. As I listen to their live double CD, I'm blown away by the spirit of goin' for it on these tracks.These guys are not messin' around- the music is serious as a heart attack and the love and affection they have for each other is matched by their dedication to their art. The world needs Jerry Lopez and Santa Fe more than ever right now."
Larry Williams www.seawindjazz.com (Larry is a member of the legendary Seawind band and an incredible arranger, writer, producer and musician currently working with Al Jarreau)
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"First of all even before the first note these guys are incredible human beings and then you translate that into incredible music, music from the heart and soul where it should come from. I've played with the best, and I'm still playing with the best "
Ronnie Foster
(world renowned Producer,Keyboardist, and singer, formerly with Stevie Wonder, GeorgeBenson and countless others)
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"So a while back in time, my good friend (Bill Champlin) mentioned there is the guy in Vegas that sings and plays his ass off!" I trust Bill’s musical judgement explicitly! After hearing Jerry sing and play guitar, another fan was added to a long list of people that have so much respect for his vocal/musical ‘ear candy’. "
Jay Graydon
(Jay Graydon is one of the most prolific Producer/Writer/guitarists in the world, check out his website www.jaygraydon.com)
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"Jerry Lopez is one of my favorite guitar players in the world. Great feel, great soloist, and a great singer as well. He has it all."
Emilio Castillo - Bandleader Tower of Power www.bumpcity.com
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Santa Fe is the BEST BAND, as well as the BEST KEPT SECRET in Las Vegas. Their reputation is legendary, well known and well respected by all musicians for years--now, the rest of the world needs to know about them as well. Jerry Lopez is one of my favorite performers--years back, he was being considered to join my band, Jack Mack & the Heart Attack, and I'm still kicking myself for not lobbying harder to have him be our lead singer. He has one of those voices that is filled with so much spirit and emotion--every note and word is pure and straight from the heart. And he's just as soulful on guitar. Strong on technique, strong on groove.
The band, in it's present incarnation, is slammin'--high intensity. No weak links in that chain! I've had the pleasure and privilege of being asked by Jerry to sit in with them a couple of times and had a total blast. They are all top notch performers and very graciously share their domain. It's now a must to go see them whenever I am in LV. If you haven't witnessed Santa Fe & the Fat City Horns, you're cheating yourself out of the best time you could possibly have...well, and still be dressed.
Tim Scott
Jack Mack & the Heart Attack, Zen Blues Quartet, Steve Ferrone's Drumroll Band, Robben Ford, Bruce Conte Band, yada yada yada. www.timscott.com
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Jerry is absolutely one of the most gifted and spiritually connected musicians and vocalists that I have ever had the pleasure of working with and mixing for. He is one of those rare people that can instantly tap directly into the source of the art with no effort at all ! Also a great guy who really knows how to put people at ease in the studio which is one of the marks of a great producer. He has a sincere bond with all the people he works with. I can’t wait to get to Vegas to see the band live.
Steve Sykes www.stevesykes.com
Steve is one of the most sought after studio engineers/producers in the US. If you listen to music, you have heard Steve's mixes. Check out his site and credits.
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I first met Jerry Lopez and heard about the band Santa Fe from my friend Bill Champlin. He told me that if I was ever in Las Vegas I had to go check them out. When I did, they “blew me away”. First they were tighter than “you know what’, sang their “butts off”, had great original tunes and were and are the best cover band ever! They always pick the best tunes to cover from “Earth, Wind and Fire” to “Steely Dan”. They also often have musicians that happen to be in town sit in and I’ve had the pleasure of being one of them.
Greg Mathieson www.gregmathieson.com
(Greg is one of the most prolific writers/producers/musicians of our time, check out his credits)
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Jerry Lopez has a great new band with horns . He has always had good ones but this is his best ever. He has always been one of the best singers - writers and guitar players around. He is also a great person and one of my best friends .
BRUCE CONTE www.bruceconte.com
(Bruce is the guitarist with Tower of Power. His solos and playing style were part of the "super" rhythm section T.O.P. had in the 70's when a lot of their trademark songs were recorded. Bruce played in Santa Fe for several years in the 80's. Bruce is considered to have set the "benchmark" for funk and blues guitar)
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"The best band in Las Vegas - I mean ANYWHERE! Absolutely in a class by themselves - I will be sending everyone I know to hear these guys!"
St. Paul Peterson http://www.stpaulmusic.com/
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