José Hernandez
an innovative, distinctive saxophonist
José is an acclaimed recording artist, educator, performer, writer, and arranger. Hernandez has recorded and performed with many great artists such as the Black Birds, George Duke, the renowned Jimmy Smith, Jazz Organist, Lenny Williams, Jules Broussard, Brian Carter, Pete Escovedo, Confunkshun, Michael Cooper, The 8th Air Force Band, San Francisco State Symphonic Orchestra, Sacramento City College Jazz Band, The Jewish Community Center National Symphony, The National Youth Art Gallery Orchestra, The Fairfax Civic Symphony, The Whispers, The Greg Khin Band, Larry Ellis, Analysis, Ricardo Scales, St. Gabrielle's 2nd Line Marching Band, Bill Summers, and a host of other professional artist throughout the many years of professional performances and appearances.
Hernandez studied music from an early age, with some of the local great classical musicians in Northern Virginia. Under the teaching of his elementary and high school teachers, he developed and understanding of music and how it serves to educate and motivate his early on disposition regarding performing, writing, and performing as a knowledgeable musician. The love for music in all genres was cultivated by his high school Teacher, Dr. Arthur Dawkins, while at Parker-Gray high School, in Alexandria, VA. He studied music and composition at the College of Alameda, Alameda, CA., and later at San Francisco State University.
A most impressive portfolio of musical compositions was written and composed by Hernandez for the Soul Train Label, where he performed and co-composed over six musical compositions for one of R&B music's most beloved and consistently popular vocal groups, The Whispers. He co-composed the theme to the noted television show, “Soul Train” which was performed in national syndication. As a Resident Artist, at West Campus High School, where he instructed music theory and performance, Jose' served as arranger and composer for many musical compositions performed by the High School marching and concert bands.
Hernandez toured as side musician with Jimmy Smith, the late renowned Jazz Organist, and has played in concerts and club dates featuring Joe Williams, Patti Austin, Sidney Poitier, Analysis and Larry Ellis, Cool-Jazz recording artist. He has performed all across Europe, the South Pacific, Canada, to all people who love music as a melting pot of ideas and principals supported by melodic and rhythmic cohesiveness. As an educator, Hernandez taught music performance and theory, and instrumental music instruction, at West Campus High School in Sacramento, CA., to kids as first time musicians, whereas he composed the first of a series of original compositions inspired by teaching students at the West Campus High School. Being a spiritual improvisario and educator, he has written melodies and has incorporated them into compositions which have been recorded by his Sextet. The project called, “Psalm To Jabez”, speaks to his spiritual side and roots, which he often refers to in his musical impressions as “food and other substances from God”. All in all, there are nine unabridged compositions on this CD reflecting his deep compassion and understanding of life, his family and the mark, which has been placed upon his life to express to others called, “Musical Talent”, given to him from God. The CD, “Psalm to Jabez”, is inspired as a Gospel Jazz Experience, while expressing his Afro-Hispanic roots.
Hernandez is in the studio again recording original compositions of sorts expressing his “Roots Down Deep”, which happens to be the name of his newest project. This project, with in trepidation, expresses all of his Afro-Hispanic nuances and impressions through rhythm and melody. Photography by Alejandro Hernandez.