Community Highlights: Meet Edward Domantay of Domantay Rehabiliation Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edward Domantay.

Edward, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Grew up learning jazz at the storied Eagle Rock High School Jazz program led by John Rinaldo. In high school got to play with Ernie Andrews, Jack Sheldon, Phillip Glass and Shelley Manne. Some bass lessons from legends Monty Budwig and Walter Urban, Flea’s stepdad. Played music all my life, Rock band in high school that played at Gazzaries and then many groups including a Bay Area Latin Gospel group that was signed to a record deal from a label from Nashville. Moved back to Los Angeles in 2016 and started a group with my drummer brother called Eye 5, performing jazz, funk and R&B originals and covers. Then the pandemic hit and like many other businesses and artistic endeavors the project didn’t recover. I actually didn’t touch my instrument through this terrible time. Toward the end of the pandemic i got the itch again and I began this current project, 53 Trees. The project started in a garage in Glendale and after a few personnel changes the band includes the line up with Eric Estes on Rhythm Guitars and vocals. Grace Marquez and Savy Rosenblum who trade lead vocal duties, Mike Boito on keyboards, Matt Rosenblum on drums. Finally, we have Adam Cameron currently on lead guitar duties.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Doing any art in Los Angeles never has a smooth road. There is a level of expectation of “entertainment” in Los Angeles. Even if the band is sounding great, you also have to be entertaining to the audience. Audiences are spoiled in LA because there are so many things to see and experience here. The other struggle is finding and keeping good performers. Especially with a 7 piece band. I want our music to be authentic. There are a lot of bands that solve that by having backing tracks that play behind the band. We’ve tried to keep that part pure by keeping the music in the instruments and vocals. Finding good venues is also challenging. Finding venues that respect the arts and the value of our work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I work an Occupational Therapist providing services mostly to seniors but have had clients of several ages. I specialize in stroke recovery, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurologic injuries and deficits. What sets me a part of in the industry is the care I provide to each of my clients, I know its important to really listen and meet my clients expectations and goals. I think that being an artistic and creative person, that has also learned improvisation from my jazz education, gives me a unique way to approach rehabilitation. Finding creative ways to solve problems and think on my feet and to improvise easily if needed during a treatment session. Professionalism is evident in my band and my therapy career.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would encourage LA readers to support local artists. We work really hard to provide great music. We rehearse 3-4 hours together weekly and invest a lot of personal time and money to be good entertainers and bring art and music in this entertainment capital. Venues show disrespect to musicians and bands who work hard by offering low money or “exposure” when asking to bring entertainment to their venue. There are venues that do it right and do a great job but you can tell from a venue that is thriving, where people are listening and enjoying themselves, versus those that don’t and see the entertainment as a minor part of the business. You can tell which ones have respect for the music/entertainment they are providing.

Contact Info:

• Website: 53Trees.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/53trees/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089855301020
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@53Trees-od9hw
• Other: [email protected]