Those were heady times back in the 1960’s and 70’s, when ABQ Ride entered into its first decade of service. As the Transit Department broke ground with expanding bus service to Albuquerque, so did the music of that era break ground in changing people’s tastes in rock and roll.
What better way to evoke those times than by bringing the music of that era to the fountain area of the Alvarado Transportation Center? On April 23, at noon, ABQ Ride is presenting the music of the 60’s and 70’s with the Paul Gonzales Jazz Band.
The band will play jazz and pop standards from the period of 1965 to 1975, as well as some of the jazz for which they have become regionally famous. The event is part of ABQ Ride’s Entertainment in Transit Series. It promotes local performing arts and public transportation at various transit centers throughout Albuquerque.
Paul Gonzales is regarded as one of the area’s preeminent musicians. The Albuquerque native began his professional career in the 1980’s as a jazz trumpet soloist with the Army Band of New England. He is also an educator who has served as adjunct trumpet professor at Northern New Mexico College in Española and as a teacher at the Outpost Performance Space’s Jazz Education program. Gonzales is a regular jazz radio host on KUNM, 89.9 FM as well as a retired Albuquerque firefighter.
The latest group lineup features guitarist Michael Anthony, bassist Colin Deuble and drummer James Gonzales. Paul Gonzales himself plays trumpet and sings.
The group has performed twice before at the Alvarado Transportation Center; in December, 2013 when they played a holiday concert and mostly recently with a jazz concert in July, 2014.
Come reminisce about the music of that special era or just enjoy some good lunchtime jazz, all for free at the Alvarado Transportation Center.
