Strokeland welcomes Los Angeles-area jazz artists, The San Gabriel Seven. The group started out as a band of Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees and has transformed into a professional and dynamic jazz band.
The founder and leader of the band, Jim Lewis, along with a busy music schedule, works for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, teaches at Cal Tech and is currently serving in Afghanistan as a Special Forces Team Leader. Not a bad resumé. Kye Palmer held down the trumpet chair at "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" from 2006 to 2009 and the credentials of the other band members are all deep in both education and playing experience.
Doc Kupka is a huge Cal Tech fan and Strokeland is excited to have this assemblage of musical talent and brain power on our artist roster.
Music the way it's supposed to feel...
The San Gabriel Seven are a three-horn instrumental Jazz/Funk band with tight horns, a killer rhythm section and great arrangements - both original and clever new takes on familiar jazz standards. They are based in the Los Angeles area but perform across the nation and regularly feature such greats as Bill Watrous, Eric Marienthal and Nick Mancini.
Formed in 2003 by trombonist Jim Lewis, the band just released their third CD entitled “Cottonwood Station” and has already starting working on their 4th CD. The band plans a kickoff tour of the southeastern U.S. for early October 2011.
- Trumpet - Kye Palmer
- Sax - Frank Villafranca
- Trombone - Francisco Torres
- Guitar - Steve Gregory
- Keyboard - Matt Weisberg
- Bass - Peter Kastner
- Drums - Randy Drake