SEEKING
Saxophone.ABOUT
Hi, I'm an Alto & Tenor Saxophonist/Hired-Gun (WITH NO EGO! Lol). I'm currently committed to 2 groups, but I could use more session work & live sit-in opportunities with semi & professional-caliber musicians. I bring 28 years of gigging experience with many genres of music. I desire to play with more Soul/R&B groups, smooth jazz, professional tribute bands, or established artists w/original music.
In addition to playing sax, I can do backup & lead vocals, sight-read sheet music, play keys, (if I have the chord charts ahead of time), and play the AKAI EWI 5000 wind synthesizer which I've modified to perform funky talkbox vocal effects like Roger Troutman and Peter Frampton. I'm also no stranger to the recording process, as I've been into music production & engineering for quite a long time. I'm also equipped with my own gear - from quality wireless horn mics, vocals mics, PA system (if needed), in-ear monitors.
Additional genres I'm also experienced in: Blues, Christian Contemporary, Latin-Jazz, Neo-Soul, Jazz, Pop, Acoustic, Lounge & Classic Rock.
I'm a worship leader at my church, and play keys, lead & background vocals.
I have worked or performed with a few established artists: Cota The Barber (current), Anderson .Paak (when he was known as Breezy Lovejoy), Hank Castro from Thee Midniters, Krayzie Bone from Bone Thugs N Harmony & music producer Fingazz. I have some of my music (beats) featured on TV shows such as Criss Angel: Believe, Basketball Wives, RuPaul's Drag Race, Sons Of Hollywood and an on-air segment at Hot 97 radio station in NYC. I also was one of the first featured artists of the annual Oxnard Jazz Festival, on their first year.
- Screen name:
- Isaiah Venegas aka Shotty
- Member since:
- Sep 08 2005
- Active within 24 hours
- Level of commitment:
- Touring
- Years playing music:
- 30
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 2-3 nights a week
- Most available:
- Nights
Influences
Mike Phillips, Gerald Albright, David Sanborn, Gato Barbieri, Cannonball Adderly, Ed Calle, 90's R&B groups, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, MJ, Prince, Sade, just to name a few of a very long list.
Instrument experience:
- Saxophone:
- Expert
- Other:
- Expert
- Vocalist - Baritone:
- Advanced
- Background Singer:
- Advanced
- Keyboard:
- Moderate
- Piano:
- Moderate
EQUIPMENT
SAXES:
- 1929 Martin Handcraft Alto Sax (main axe)
- Yamaha YAS-52 alto sax w/Dukoff D8/Beechler Metal 8/Vandoren A55/CE Winds Mainstream mouthpieces.
- 1986 Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Sax w/Gary Sugal KWIII+s, Bobby Dukoff D8 & Vandoren T55 & T75 mouthpieces. Fibracell reeds on all mouthpieces.
- AKAI EWI5000 wind synthesizer (like an electric sax)
KEYS:
- Yamaha Motif ES6 with MainStage 3 rig
- Roland XV-88
- Roland Juno
MUSIC
-
Body & Soul (smooth jazz Anita Baker cover) - FOR DEMO USE ONLY
Body & Soul (smooth jazz Anita Baker cover) - FOR DEMO USE ONLY Year: 2015 Genre: R&B
FOR DEMO USE ONLY- backing track from DK Karaoke Sax setup: 1929 Martin Handcraft alto sax, Dukoff D8 MP & Fibracell reeds. Recorded on: Magix Sequoia with Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 interface
-
Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran sax cover)
Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran sax cover) Year: 2015 Genre: R&B
FOR DEMO USE ONLY - NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED Backing track by: Zoom Karaoke Sax: Yamaha YTS-62, with Vandoren T55 mouthpiece, Fibracell reed
CALENDAR
Past Events
The Sunshine Experience will be back providing new music with tributes to KC & the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer & Madonna! Join us in the Tukut Lounge on Halloween night at 9pm.
My tribute group's first gig in 2017.
I'll be one of the solo opening acts of a show that has a lineup featuring: Sheila E & her family, Poncho Sanchez, Gerald Albright (my hero), Mindy Abair, Stanley Clarke & Tom Browne, Howard Hewitt from Shalamar & Karen Briggs. It'll be hosted by Johnny Gill from New Edition & 94.7 The Wave. It'll take place at the grassy beach along Harbor Blvd in Oxnard next to the Mandalay resort. More event details TBD, as the event is still being worked out.
I'll be playing sax with the Juano & Friends Band for the Ventura Knights Of Columbus for NYE, at Biederman Hall | Sacred Heart. We'll be playing Top 40, Funk, Old School, R&B, & Cumbias.
Address: 10800 Henderson Rd. Ventura, CA 93003
$45 per person with dinner, $25 per person for dancing only. No-Host bar all evening, w/Champagne at midnight. Social Hour - 6-7pm, Dinner - 7-8pm, Dancing - 8pm-1am.
I will be playing sax with Juano and Friends at Twenty 88 in Camarillo, from 8-11pm.
Hosting a karaoke gig alongside DJ Bruce Barrios for an event for Primary Medical group in Santa Paula, CA.
Time: 5-9pm
Location: Giovanni's in Carpinteria, CA
Music Content: Old School Funk covers - EWF, AWB, Kool & the Gang, Tower of Power, Santana, just to name a few.
Paid video promo shoot with The Sunshine Experience from 10am-4pm in Van Nuys, CA.
Paid rehearsal for an upcoming promo video shoot. 10am-3pm.
Public social mixer/campaign fundraiser for Martin Hernandez, Santa Paula Vice Mayor running for County Supervisor.
Event held at Diamond Realty office in Fillmore, CA
End of summer jam; open to public, tix on sale for $10-15. Dancing, and entertaining playing Old School Funk, Top 40, Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Cumbias.
Playing sax with Juano & Friends for a Relay For Life event at Shiells Park in Fillmore, CA
