Check Out Lucas (neo) Jofre’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucas (neo) Jofre.

Hi Lucas (neo), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started in music at a young age. My mom bought me a drum set when I was almost four, and then when I was thirteen, my dad bought me an electric bass.

At thirteen, I had my first blues and rock band, and from then on, it was all about music. But it was just a hobby because I had to study at school and get good grades.
I was always a good student, but I only loved music, and where I was born, nobody made a living playing bass. It was impossible, even to this day, I think. The only way to make a living from music was by playing in the Symphonic Orchestra. But not playing electric bass; you played the double bass. They told me that if I was good at the double bass, I would be great at the electric bass, but later I discovered that they were two instruments from the same family, but completely different, and both with infinite possibilities. I decided to start studying double bass, and I did so for a few years. I had a very good teacher who gave me the privilege of having one of the most incredible experiences in music: playing in the Symphonic Orchestra while I was training as a student. It was unique and beautiful to play with the Orchestra a couple of times. But the double bass wasn’t for me; I knew it deep down. I tried to fall more and more in love with the double bass (which is an incredible instrument), but deep in my soul, I knew I was a bassist, that my instrument was the electric bass, that I was born to play bass and make a career out of music, even though at that moment it seemed impossible.

I left the double bass career with a lot of pain. I tried, but it didn’t work; it wasn’t for me. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life, but I did know I was a bassist. Every time I saw a bass, something inside me ignited. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew I was dying to play bass and make music.

The road wasn’t easy, but I embarked on the journey of following my heart and giving life to my dreams and what I felt inside. I didn’t know where I was going, but I did know that I felt alive again, and that gave me a lot of peace. I followed that peace despite how crazy everything was at that moment.

I left Argentina (San Juan) and went to Spain. Things didn’t turn out as I had imagined musically, but I didn’t yet know that there was a door waiting for me and that Spain was just the bridge to that door. Spain was the place where I buried, so to speak, the double bass, where I closed that door to my past and began my journey alone with a cheap bass I found there—but a bass nonetheless. I think I was ready to take the next step, or the door, that was waiting for me. My time in Spain was very short but necessary. This bridge took me to England, where I ended up winning an audition for a local band that had a couple of big shows in London at venues like The Clapham Grand and The Sound. It was there in England that my journey to making a living solely from music as a bassist began.

From England, I went to China, where I won every audition I attended and spent about seven years there, six of them living in Beijing, the capital, where my musical dreams began to come true.
There, I played with countless musicians from all over the world and grew immensely as a musician.
I was the bassist for several American bands that toured or played in China, as well as bands from Atlanta, Georgia, playing R&B, funk, and rock, and incredible singers and solo artists from New York, among many others.
My main job ended up being as the musical director and bandleader of a band that played six nights a week on the 80th floor of Beijing’s most prestigious and tallest building. I lived on the 78th floor with a beautiful view of the city, and we had the gym with a swimming pool on the 79th floor. I lived in that five-star hotel for two years with a very good contract. At the same time, when famous artists from the USA came to tour for a month, they would call me and I was always available for those music tours in China.

Life, and music, led me to L.A., which is my home today, and I’ve been living here in this amazing city for almost nine years. I arrived as a musical director; it’s a city of enormous opportunities. Here, I won part of a scholarship in 2022 that allowed me to spend two weeks in New York City, in the Big Apple. I had the opportunity to learn from some very talented musicians and to play in iconic venues. Living in L.A. has given me the opportunity to play for not only local artists but also famous artists who often come from Europe for short tours (my recently tour was with a famous artist from Spain; we played in L.A. and San Francisco). I’ve had the privilege of playing with local bands in legendary Hollywood venues like The Viper Room and the Whisky a Go Go. I’ve also played at sporting events like the Dodgers playoffs. I’m constantly invited to play in gospel churches and other venues as well.

I created a music school for children where they learn to play instruments and, ultimately, how to be part of a band. The goal is to learn while having fun and without stress. (Jofre Productions Music School).

Most weekends, and during the week too, you can find me playing with different bands in L.A., and now with three new projects thanks to my experience in New York. I’m part of two duos and a solo project.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was never easy, especially coming from a very small town in Argentina. There were many challenges, like leaving the place where I was born. Going in search of your dreams, not knowing where you’re going but knowing deep down that you’re doing the right thing, is a true test of faith. Deep down, you know you were created for something more, but you don’t see it or you’re not experiencing it, so you have to go and find it, because it’s waiting for you somewhere.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a musician, a bassist in bands, duos, and as a solo artist. I also serve as a musical director, band leader, composer, and teacher. My goal is to teach children the joy of playing music and being part of a band.

I take immense pride in being a member of two musical duos, one of which plays bass, and as a solo artist. Additionally, I’m proud to have founded Jofre Productions Music School.

My versatility as a bassist allows me to perform in various musical settings and genres.

How do you define success?
Success, to me, is the strength to rise every day, regardless of the challenges or obstacles that lie ahead. It’s about making the conscious decision to keep moving forward, knowing that the best is yet to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bassstories.squarespace.com/

Image Credits
Brett Briskin, Arturo Garcia-Ayala