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Grupo de Jazz Santa Rosa 1977 - 2004

Prehistory

In the 50´ decade, different bands were integrated by Leandro "Coco" Gomez, Omar "Mono" Gonzalez, "Quique" Rodriguez and Alberto "Chiche" Agostino, who played in parties, alternating the bands formation, and performing "tipic", "characteristic" and also jazz.

In the 60´decade different formations (trios and quartets) incurred in unique jazzistics repertories but was at half of 70´s when "Coco", "Mono" and "Quique" begin to design the idea of furnish a jazz band. It was also Neri Suarez´s idea, who quickly joined them. Every Saturday afternoon, they joined in "Banco Nación" Club and soon Alejandro Dizeo, "Tito" Mazza, Jorge Satragno and Luis Di Santo joined them too.

Santa Rosa, 1977

First Years 1977-1985

* During 1976 they rehearsed and furnished a repertory which will be shown to the public on July 1^st of 1977 in "La Capital", a coffee shop from Santa Rosa city. However "Coco"´s arrangements and the performance were good received, "Coco" and Neri said that: ". the great problem that we had was about the style, because the formation was a really strange mixture."

In fact, the first formation of the GJSR was integrated by: Jorge Satragno (piston trombon), Luis Di Santo (clarinet), Leandro "Coco" Gomez (piano and arrangements), Neri Suarez (vibraphone), Alberto "Tito" Mazza (banjo), Alejandro Dizeo (guitar), Eduardo Mayer (guitar), Omar "Mono" Gonzalez (contrabass) and "Quique" Rodriguez (drums).

At the end of that year the band had adopted the way that will be maintain for the next 25 years: a septet.

* (With Hugo Mezzassalma in trumpet, Nelson "Tucho" Fernandez in clarinet, Jacobo "Yaco" Rach in trombone, Omar "Mono" Gonzalez in tuba, Leandro "Coco" Gomez in piano and arrangements, Neri Suarez in banjo and "Quique" Rodriguez in drums)

A few time later they started to perform in different localities from La Pampa and in the west of Bs. As. Province.

The group was getting more and more stability in the musical as well as in the style.

The beginning of 80´s finds the Group in full activity with performances in new tours around La Pampa, Rio Negro and Bs. As. (They perform in Mardel Jazz 83, where they played with "Fats" Fernandez as an invited musician)

1984- 1986 First disc - National Jazz Festival -
Trigueña Jazz Band

* In 1984, they record, according to Neri, a "more or less domestic" cassette and trough a friend, who lived in Bs. As., the cassette comes at hands of Capuano Tomey, one of the most important diffuser of traditional jazz.

It is important to point out that, in that times, the traditional jazz bands of the "inside part" of the country were rareness as well as their diffusion in Bs. As.

Capuano Tomey becomes enthusiastic with the group because of the good quality of the material, so he generates the contacts to record, in 1984, an LP (long play) and a cassette in Bs. As.

It is declarated "Revelation Group" by "Jazz Caliente" magazine.

That first work, named "Grupo de Jazz Santa Rosa", is presented in "Teatro Español", a theatre from Santa Rosa. In that show, borns the idea of Alejandro Capuano Tomey of making a "National Festival of Traditional Jazz", which will be concrete in November of 1985.

* During 1985, the Group fulfills one of its main objects: the formation of a "Second Line". Under the direction of "Coco" Gomez, the "Trigueña Jazz Band" is created by a group of young musicians.

* In 1986, Hugo Mezzassalma leaves the group and he is replaced by Dario Gigena (trumpet). The next year, "Tachi" Gaich (piano) replaces "Coco" Gomez.

1987-1990 Internationals Tours - Chile - EE.UU - Germany

1987 * In this year the first international tour around Chile is concreted, with performances in Reñaca, Concón and Viña del Mar Cultural Centers and in Valparaiso University, with excellent radials, TV and written critics (pointing out the critic of the prestigious "El Mercurio" newspaper)

Nueva Orleans, 1988

1988 * For the first time the Group travels to United States, thanks to the clarinet and sax player, Jacques Gauthe. They perform in the "cuna del jazz", New Orleans, in the "New Orleans Jazz Club", in "Meridien Hotel" and in "Fritzel Pub" of the Bourbon Street. They also perform in "Jazz Heritage Festival", being the first Latin-American jazz band to perform in that event and with an excellent repercussion among the public and the specialist press.

Nueva Orleans, 1988

* In its return, the Group performs in different TV channels and in the cycle "Jazzología" of the "Centro General San Martin", in Bs. As. City. It also performs in "Musical Spring of Bariloche", where it shares stages with the "Orquesta de Cámara del Teatro Colón", "Les Luthiers", "Cuarteto Argentino de Cuerdas" and "Opus 4", among others.

Teatro Colón, 1989

1989 * The year 1989 begins with the record and perform of the second discography work called "Regreso de New Orleans" ("Returns from New Orleans").

* First performance of a jazz group in the "Salón Dorado del Teatro Colón", in Bs. As., on June 9^th of 1989. Provincial and national press largely diffused that performance.

They perform in TV channels from Bs. As. and in the Tortoni Café (Capital Federal). Also they still participate in the Festivals already mentioned and they perform in Neuquén and Misiones provinces.

1990 * Before the beginning of the European tour (from May 10^th to June 25^th of 1990), "Quique" leaves the group and he is replaced by "Chispa" Lopez. So the Group is integrated by: Dario Gigena (trumpet), "Yaco" Rach (trombone), "Tucho" Fernandez (clarinet), "Tachy" Gaich (piano), Neri Suarez (banjo), "Mono" Gonzalez (tuba), "Chispa" Lopez (drums) and Carlos Monasterio (manager)

This is the formation that accomplishes the first European tour.

Click here to see the dates of the European Tour

Alemania, 1990

* The tour was really successfully. Among others distinction, the newspaper "Neue Presse" declared the band as "The star" of the "Hannover International Festival".

* The Group records in Munich its first CD called "European Tour I"

* In its return, the Group performs in different University Centers including Santa Rosa, Viedma, Neuquén and Bahía Blanca cities.

1991 * They start the year with their second tour around Chile, which include performances in Santiago, Viña del Mar and Valparaiso.

* They perform with Opus 4 in the "Teatro Español", in Santa Rosa city.

* They still participate in Nationals Festivals and performing in cities around the country.

1992 * The year 1992 begins with the recorded of the "European Tour II" cassette (which is commercialized exclusively in Holland, Belgium and Germany)

* In May 1992 begins the second European tour during, almost, 30 days. It includes Germany, Belgium and Holland. Besides of performing in many of the festivals and cities visited in the 1990 tour, the Group performs in the Internationals Festivals of Amsterdam and Rotterdam (Holland), Lieja and Brujas (Belgium)

At the end of the tour, Dario, "Tachy" and "Chispa" announce that, at the end of that year, they will leave the Group.

* Besides others performances in La Pampa province, the group is invited to Festivals in Córdoba, Bahia Blanca, Rosario, Chañar Ladeado (Sta. Fe), Bariloche (Río Negro), Coronel Suarez, Mar del Plata (Bs. As) and Mendoza.

1993 * Three new replacements mark a new stage for the Group: "Nino" Fiks (horn), Ruben Capdeville (piano) and "Chiche" Agostino (drums), join the group.

* The activity in La Pampa province, as well as in Nationals Festivals, is really intense. Carlos Francingues begins his activity in the Group as collaborator.

* The Festival still has great relevance and in its already ten editions, has been presented in different stages from Santa Rosa: in "Sala Don Bosco", in "Teatro Español", in the National University from La Pampa and in Santa Rosa´s Municipality (this 2 last ones in outdoor stages modality)

Santa Rosa, 1993

1994 * About the middle of this year the Group realizes its second tour around New Orleans and its third trip to Chile. Performances are realized in Santiago, in Fairmont and Monteleone Hotels and in Fritzel´s Pub in New Orleans.

* Although the Group has always visited the localities from La Pampa, 1994 is a really important year because a Provincial Tour, which includes more than 20 localities from our province, is accomplished.

* Carlos Monasterio leaves the Group and he is replaced by Carlos Francingues.

1995 * A fourth visit to Chile is realized. The Group is invited to accomplish a few performances in the First International Festival from Los Angeles (8^th "Región de Chile")

* Neri Suarez´s decease, in August 1995, is the hardest blow that the Group receives in its almost 20 years of life. Although the Group was, and still is, very democratic in its decisions, Neri was the Group's "engine" and the greater referring. His son, Sergio Suarez, fills his place.

1996 * This year finds the Group with the next formation: "Nino" Fiks (horn), "Yaco" Rach (trombone), "Tucho" Fernandez (clarinet and soprano sax), Ruben Capdevielle (piano), Sergio Suarez (banjo), "Mono" Gonzalez (tuba), "Chiche" Agostino (drums) and Carlos Francingues (introducer and collaborator)

* The Group participates in Nationals Festivals.

1997 * The year begins with the fifth trip to Chile. The Group is invited to perform in the First Festival from Santiago de Chile, in Nuñoa. It also performs in the "Jazz Club" from Santiago.

* In April, the first national edition CD is recorded for Redondel Records. It is titled "20 años". On July 1^st the book "20 años" is presented. The book is a recompilation done by Carlos Francingues, based on reports to each of the Group's members and ex integrants (The first interview was done to Neri, a few days before his decease). The interviewers narrate their musical histories, anecdotes, etc.

In the mentioned presentation, some of the ex integrants participated in a concert, in "Teatro Español".

The ex integrants that perform in that concert were Alejandro Dizeo, Hugo Mezzassalma, "Coco" Gomez, Dario Gigena, "Tachy" Gaich and "Chispa" Lopez. As well as Carlos Monasterio and others very good friends like Juan Carlos Gerardo, Alfredo Olivo, "Chango" Cucco and "Loco" Rossini, who sometimes acted as presenters.

1998 * This year finds the Group with a more Dixieland style. "Mono" Gonzalez, after 20 years, plays the contrabass again, Sergio Suarez incorporates the guitar, and duos, quartets and quintets are formed inside the formation, so new elements are incorporated to the show.

1999 * Ruben Capdevielle leaves the Group so Manuel "Deditos" Neveu joins the Group as pianist. Dixieland style is consolidated and some performances are accomplished in Nationals Festivals, in Sta. Rosa and in the rest of La Pampa province.

2000 * This year finds the Group with a really intense activity. Hugo Cuevas replaces "Yaco" Rach because he was with some health problems.

2001 * Few performances of the show "Palabras Cruzadas" are realized. This show was organized and produced jointly with the vocal group Iraupen.

2002 * A new CD, called "Jungle Blues", is edited and it is presented on July. The CD also contains a "multimedia interactive track" which appears for the first time in a musical edition from La Pampa (Being one of the first of the country too)

* The Group organizes some activities to enjoy its 25^th anniversary of uninterrupted performances.

2003 * Begins a new stage for the Group. The absences of "Yaco", "Mono" and "Chiche" require a musical change. The tube of Carlos Pelaez replaces the contrabass. The style returns to its first stage although it still has something of dixieland because of the incorporation of Carlos Francingues playing the drums.

Santa Rosa, 2003

* The Group performs in some localities from La Pampa and in Lincoln (Bs. As. province)

On May a new show called "Jazz y Letras" is presented in UNLPam. This show includes some new songs and it alternate texts in relation with jazz (some of the authors were Julio Cortazar, Hermenegildo Sabat, Nat Hentoff, Ray Anderson) The texts were redden by alumnus from the Humans Cs Faculty of UNLPam.

* On July, the Group accomplishes 3 performances: in Rio Cuarto (Cordoba), in Casino Club in Santa Rosa and in 25 de Mayo (La Pampa)

* On August, "Jazz y Letras" is presented in "Teatro Español".

* On September, the Group participates in the 6^th National Festival in Rio Cuarto and performs in different stages from Santa Rosa city.

The Group also presents "Jazz y Letras" in the Theatre again.

* Also in September, the Group puts online its own web site: www.gjsr.com.ar

* On October the Group performs in Trenque Lauquen city, in the LIPOLCC annual party.

And many other presentations in 2004...

Besides the organization and production of the National Festival of Traditional Jazz the Group generates new expectations to the development of this passion that is jazz...