Meet Alex Santos of Groovin’ High in Montebello

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Santos.

Alex, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Groovin High started four years ago my vision was to have a Jazz night where there was a tribute to a Jazz legend with a live band, have a couple of guest dj’s spin their Jazz vinyl collection in between sets and finally have an open jam session for musicians in the Los Angeles area can come shred their chops and network with fellow musicians.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, there was nights where only a couple people came to the show and that was pretty hearth breaking but it never broke my spirit to stop or quit.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Groovin’ High – what should we know?
My company deals with promoting Jazz Jam session, putting on live shows, recording albums and also we sell vintage vinyl records online and do pop-ups all over Los Angeles county. What I’m proud about my company is that we create an outlet for people who want to come hear some live jazz music whether its a tribute night like a Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Donald Byrd artist or original compositions from the band. What sets us apart is the consistency of putting these events even when we had no one at our shows we kept going.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
For mentors my piano teacher and godparent Benito Tarallo and to all my music teachers I had at East Los Angeles community college, Los Angeles community college and Valley Community College. Who deserve credit are my present bandmates and old ones, Felipe Perez, Ivan Bautista, Vlad Beseda, Elijah Amos Matt Olson, Eric Morales, Hugo Rivas, Matt Olson, Steve Surman, Tim Mc Wheeler, Adrean Corona, Fermin Chavez, Courtney Kakebeen, Maria Vega and Edgardo Juarez.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Groovinhighla

Image Credit:
Photo credits by John Henry

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