Local Jazz Drummer Jimmy Valencia performing at San Carlos Art & Wine Festival

Copperopolis Drummer Jimmy Valencia’s ‘Cool Jazz’ band will be playing the San Carlos Art & Wine Festival October 8, 2011 from 12:00 to 2:30. The ‘Cool Jazz’ band consists of percussionist Jimmy Valencia, keyboard Bob Johns, bass Hal Bigler, lead guitar Dr. Bob Navarra and vocalist Bernadette Soubirou.

Jimmy began playing drums at the age of 16 under the watchful and helpful eye of his older brother and experienced percussionist, Eddy.  When Jimmy entered the Air Force the higher-ups caught wind of his drum skills and Jimmy was immediately placed in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Not only did he get to play all day long he also managed to skirt KP duties with this gig. While in the military Jimmy made friends with a few musicians who conveniently played sax, piano and bass. Soon thereafter they applied to work at a local night club and the rest is history.

Though, as with most creative artists, their dream is circumvented by the need to “get a real job” but Jimmy never put aside his sticks. Working in Law Enforcement for the better part of his adult life left little room to pursue his jazz band dream, but he diligently whittled away time from work, home life and other demands on his time to keep a band together and play a few gigs. When retirement hit, Jimmy hit his stride playing monthly at San Carlos Hot Harvest Nights for the past year and hitting clubs along the coast, most notably the Ritz in Half Moon Bay.

Rhythms and “beat songs ring in my head all day long” says Jimmy of the beating rain, the ticking of the turn signal, even the beat of his step as he walks. “When playing a tune with a jazz feeling you sort of get lost in the tune.” His all time favorite is ‘All the things you are’ when sung by Ella Fitzgerald.

In hopes of keeping the percussion passion alive in his family, last Christmas Jimmy gave a set of drums to his young grandson, five-year-old Ethan Noah. The set is prominently and permanently set up in the living room of Ethan’s parent’s home so that Ethan can play whenever he wants. “He’s got the beat” says Jimmy proudly.

Jimmy hopes to start a Jazz Band, or at minimum a group, here in Copper.

If you would like information on Jimmy’s band or are interested in forming a band in Copper please e-mail Jimmy at valpoly@yahoo.com.

By, Charity Maness