Press Kit AJB - Average Jazz Band

A high energy instrumental jazz ensemble
based in Southern California.

The Fan Experience:
The BUZZ
"My husband and I always have a great time at an Average Jazz Band show. The style is classic but fresh, the
instruments are played with an easy skill--each adds a unique voice to each number that is fun to listen to.
Thanks for a lot of great date nights."- Teresa
"False advertising? The band sounds much better than average." - Dave
"Great show; a real pleasure to listen to such talented musicians. The drummer/band leader was especially
good!" - Tricia
"You all were amazing last night! You made people smile and that's what music is about!" - Theresa
“I headed over to after work and was happy to have caught your guys' last set. Sounded very sweet...jazz and a
burger were a fitting end for a long day of work...Keep up the swing in' sounds, brother! “ - Chris
"Awesome job, Guys! You all sound great." - Jennifer
"You guys sound great! Nice drum fills and that girl playing sax is an artist. She's good!" - Keith
The Client Experience:
"Average Jazz Band received great reviews when playing for our Friday Nights Live music series here in the
Claremont Village this summer. I will be booking them next year for a return gig!"
- Sonja Stump, Claremont Village, CA
"The band really sounds polished. You all sound like pros. My sound man was very impressed and it was one of
the busiest Sundays we've had in awhile. Well done." - Stephen Camera, Hip Kitty Jazz & Fondue, Claremont,
CA
"Thank you again for all of your wonderful contribution to the evening. I was so grateful to have you guys on
board! It sounded great." - Adjoa Skinner, Singer
"I just wanted you all to know how much I enjoyed playing with you. It's a pleasure for me to play with younger
musicians that play in tune, phrase properly, improvise well and just play the music the way it's supposed to
be. Hope to play with all of you again sometime in the future." - Don Kubec
"Need live music at your event? Look no further. Mark Aragon and his Average Jazz Band are real crowd
pleasers. Mark is professional to work with, proactive, and dependable. His musicians are prompt, work with the
sound set up well, and really enjoy playing together. And when they start playing, your toes start tapping! As an
event planner, the Average Jazz Band is on the top of my list!"
- Kristi Hawkins, Alumni Event and Chapter Coordinator, Azusa Pacific University
www.averagejazzband.com

The PRESS
www.averagejazzband.com

Average Jazz Band is better than average
By Michelle J. Mills, SGVN * Twitter.com/mickieszoo * FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2012
With the humble name Average Jazz Band, this new local group has been making great strides in the music
scene. The seven-piece group scored a spot on stage during Make Music Pasadena this past spring and regularly
performs at Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue in Claremont. AJB will be performing at AzoVino Wine Bar and Gallery in
Covina Saturday.
AJB was formed by Pomona drummer Mark Aragon.
“I had a dream for a long time to develop my own band that would serve as a musical outlet for my own
creativity,” Aragon said.
Aragon began by arranging music for his group that would consist of three horns, guitar, bass, keyboards and
drums. The goal was for the band to offer tight melodies and good counter harmony for a little big band sound.
Band manager and soundman Carlos Hernandez joined Aragon in fleshing out his plans last year. They started by
looking to Aragon’s alma mater, Azusa Pacific University in Glendora, for musicians and finished the lineup with the
help of Craigslist. By last December, AJB was ready for rehearsal and by April had played its first show, but now
without a challenge.
In March, Aragon was diagnosed with melanoma, which spread from his back into his lymph system. He had
surgery in April to remove cancerous lymph nodes and tissue under his right arm. Aragon kept his commitment to
AJB with the help of his friend Lance Beckford sitting in on drums, while he under-went another surgery, radiation
and recovered enough to play in June.
During his fight against cancer, Aragon kept busy with the things he could do for the band, such as booking gigs
and looking for music.
“Because my mind was still active, but my body was not very able, I obsessed over getting this thing started,”
Aragon said. “I looked so forward to being able to launch this.” Today, AJB’s lineup includes Aragon, guitarist Alvin
Castro Jr., bassist Sean Barrett, keyboardist Andrew Van Vlear and Jo Hughes on saxophone, Hayden Jaeger on
trombone and Blake Martin on trumpet. There are also occasional guest vocalists and musicians. Frans Schreuders
helps roadie for Aragon, as he still has a few limitations.
AJB’s basic repertoire consists of standards, swing and funk, but they are also delving into fusion and pop.
Aragon aims to keep enriching their range so that fans will not always hear the same music.
“It’s important to me that we are always challenging each other and are using it as an opportunity to grow our
musical ability,” Aragon said. “I never want to be complacent in what we’re playing.”
Aragon has developed and is expanding the band’s set list in several ways. He does arranging, as well as enlists
other AJB members to arrange songs they like. Aragon also is a member of jazz arranger Jim Martin’s club web site
(www.pdfjazznusic.com), which is a good resource for jazz combo and big band charts and he ad received a
selection of funk charts from his friend, jazz pianist, composer and arranger Dominic Mazzoni.
Aragon’s first love and first instrument was the drums. He was always banging on pots and pans and thrashed a
child’s drum set he received at age 5. By 10 he was ready for the school band and his parent’s bought him a real
drum set for Christmas. He played a little piano in high school and garnered a degree in music education from APU.
Aragon plans to look for more opportunities in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire for AJB to perform. It can
be tough because some venues hesitate due to the band’s size, while others only want to book groups with a
vocalist.
“I’m very committed to the instrumental sound and I believe in what we’re doing, so I’m willing to wait for the gigs
that will appreciate what we’re doing as opposed to modifying our sound,” Aragon said. “One of the advantages is
that we’re always family friendly.”
Aragon encourages people to check out AJB despite what they may or may not know about Jazz. He feels that
their music is interesting enough for a jazz fan, yet still very accessible and entertaining for listeners who are less
familiar with the vast genre.
“We’re a fresh opportunity for people to revisit jazz,” Aragon said. “If they found jazz that they haven’t been able to
connect with before, maybe they’ll like our music.
“I would like to think that we’re high energy and that we can entertain and provide another alternative to some of
the commercial musical types that are around.”
www.averagejazzband.com

Mark Aragon - Drums
Mark founded Average Jazz Band as an outlet for his musical creativity. Mark
developed a passion for music from a very young age. In the early years, Mark
primarily focused on marching and symphonic percussion. High school brought
new opportunities including playing drum set for show choir and most
influentially, the school Jazz Band where he was awarded the Louis Armstrong
Trophy for excellence in music. Since graduating from Azusa Pacific University
in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, he has held several
roles including private drum and piano instructor, church music director, and
choral/orchestral conductor. In 2003, Mark began pursuing a career in Audio and
Visual Technology and has since served as an A/V specialist and Director of
Event Technology for several Los Angeles area hotels. Currently, Mark is the
Event Resources Coordinator at CCV in San Dimas.
Alvin Castro Jr. - Guitar
Alvin Castro Jr. has been a professional musician and educator
for the past eight years. Being a Southern California native, he has been playing
guitar since the age of 6 and has always had a passion and interest in music. He
received his academic training at Azusa Pacific University; he obtained a
Bachelor’s of Arts in Guitar Performance and Music Education as well as a
Master of Music degree emphasizing in jazz and classical guitar performance.
Al’s job experience includes classroom teaching, private instruction, being a
member of a 7-piece jazz band and playing for a variety of events such as
weddings, musicals, dinner banquets and church services. Al is currently
attending Citrus College to pursue a certificate in Recording Arts and plans to
continue to grow as a working musician.
Sean Barrett - Bass
Meet the Band
Sean started playing the electric bass at age 15 and quickly began to develop a
passion for music. His love for music brought him to Citrus College where he
studied recording technology and music performance, and began studying the
upright bass. He then transferred to Azusa Pacific University where he received
a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music. He is now completing a Masters
Degree in Composition at APU. Over the years, Sean has gained experience
playing with groups of many different genres including rock, jazz, pop, funk, and
Latin. Some groups he has been a part of include Bodhi Rock, N’Stuff, LadyFox,
and Mike Pinto. Sean has also shared the stage and/or recorded for artists such
as Joseph Williams of Toto, Lloyd Brown, The Band called Burn, Anna
Madorsky, and others. He has performed in many states all over the country, as
well as overseas in Guam. Sean has a passion for music whether it involves
performing, composing, recording, engineering, or teaching.
www.averagejazzband.com

Andrew Van Vlear - Keyboards
Andrew has been classically trained on the piano since the age of 7.
Over the past 4 years, he has branched out into the worlds of jazz, rock,
and contemporary keyboards. He can sight-read virtually anything on the
spot and can learn any song by ear. In addition to being a 2006 featured
piano soloist with the Saddleback College Orchestra, he has also served
as the Keyboardist for the ’10-’11 China tour of Caution: TAP: Men at
Work, and also the Pianist for the Azusa Pacific University Jazz
Ensemble as well as the University Choir and Orchestra from '08-'10. In
2010, Andrew also toured with the music group "Celebration". Andrew
also enjoys teaching private Guitar and Piano students.
Michael Czaja - Saxophone
Michael Czaja is a musician and educator working in the Los Angeles
and Orange County areas. He has performed music in styles ranging
from straight ahead swing to funk to neo soul. He has performed on
stage with musicians such as Bob Mintzer, Barry Manilow, Arturo
Sandoval, Ndugu Chancler, and more. Michael has also recorded music
that has been played on TV shows such as Suits and Grey's Anatomy. In
addition to saxophone, Michael also plays flute and clarinet. He is
currently working towards a Bachelor's degree in music from the
University of Southern California, and plans to graduate in the spring of
2013.
Hayden Jaeger - Trombone
Meet the Band
Hayden began playing the trombone at age 9. He received an
Associate’s degree in music from Citrus College where he studied guitar
with Steve Cotter. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State
University Fullerton in Music Education, and a Master’s degree in
Trombone Performance from Azusa Pacific University. His teachers
include James Miller, David Beatty and Michael Hoffman.. He recently
received honorable mention in the 2010 Louis Van Haney Philharmonic
International Trombone Competition. He currently works as a private
instructor, teaching brass and guitar, and as a freelance musician.
www.averagejazzband.com

Blake Martin - Trumpet
Meet the Band
Born and raised in Vancouver Washington, Blake Martin began playing
the trumpet at age ten. Blake has experience performing all throughout the
United States and Europe. Blake Martin has performed at venues such as
Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Walter Reade Theatre at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy
Center, Catalina Jazz Club, Jimmy Mak's Jazz Club, as well as the North Sea
Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Blake has performed with artists such as Christian McBride, Esperanza
Spalding, Joe Lovano, Maceo Parker, Eric Marienthal, and Christian Scott.
Throughout his career, Blake has participated with groups such as the Pacific
Crest Jazz Orchestra, Metropolitan Youth Philharmonic, Washington All-State
Jazz Band and Symphony Orchestra, Western International Band Clinic Firebird
and Thunderbird Symphony Orchestras, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra,
Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensembles, and the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz
Orchestra. Blake has won awards such as the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival Soloist
award, Clark College Outstanding Musician Award, and Heritage Festival
Maestro Award. Blake earned his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies with an
emphasis on Trumpet from the Manhattan School of Music in 2012. Blake has
studied with such artists and educators as Scott Wendholt, Laurie Frink, Garry
Dial, Bruce Dunn, and Thara Memory. Blake is currently attending the Thornton
School of Music at the University of Southern California is pursuit of his Masters
Degree in Jazz Studies as well as teaching and performing as a freelance
trumpeter in the Los Angeles area.
Frans Schreuders – Roadie / Merchandise Manager
Frans gets it done! Frans takes care of anything the band needs from extra
water to loading gear in and out of a venue. Frans assists with a can-do attitude.
Oh, and he’s also a pretty darn good skateboarder!
Carlos Hernandez – Live Audio Engineer / Band Manager
When he is not jamming on his guitar for fun, Carlos is the “go-to” guy when it
comes to live audio. Carlos completed the Citrus College Audio Recording
Technology program in 2010 and has been a member of the Citrus College
Audio Engineering Society since 2009. Carlos has been an active member of his
church, Christ’s Church of the Valley in San Dimas, since 2007 where he serves
as a Live Audio Engineer for weekend services. Carlos has also worked at the
Norton Simon Museum of Art as a theatre Technician since 2010. Carlos is a
freelance Audio Engineer in the Los Angeles area.
www.averagejazzband.com

Booking Information
Booking Contact: Mark Aragon
(909) 568-1596
averagejazzband@gmail.com
Average Jazz Band is the perfect addition to your venue or event. The group will work with you well
before your event date to understand your preferences and plan just the right show for your
audience. The band can play up to a 4-hour block (3 hours of music with breaks).
We look forward to serving you soon!
Swing
Autumn Leaves - Blues Walk - Curious George - Fly Me To The Moon - Green Dolphin St. - Have You Met Miss
Jones - How High The Moon -I Remember You - I'm Beginning To See the Light - It Don’t Mean A Thing -
Jeanine - Moments Notice - Moondance - No Moon at all - On A Clear Day - On The Street Where You Live - Our
Love Is Here To Stay - Perdido - Pink Panther - Rampant Ronnie - Red Door - Sing, Sing, Sing - Sister Sadie -
Squiby McGee - Stolen Moments - Sweet Georgia Brown - Take The A Train - Taking A Chance On Love -
Tangerine - What's New - When the Saints - You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - Zoot Suit Riot
Latin
Cantaloupe Island - Chega De Saudade - Darn That Dream - Girl from Ipanema - In Case You Haven't Heard -
Invitation - Nica's Dream - St. Thomas - Una Mas - You Stepped Out of A Dream - You Go To My Head
Ballads
Come Rain or Come Shine - Just the Way You Are - Lil' Darlin - My Funny Valentine - Over The Rainbow -
September Song - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Things We Did Last Summer - Til There Was You
Pop
All Night Long - Bad to the Bone - Celebration - Eye of the Tiger - Gimme Some Lovin' - Gonna Fly Now - Hang
On Sloopy - The Horse - Hot Hot Hot - I Can't take my eyes off you - I Wish - I've Got A Feeling - Jacko (Michael
Jackson Medley) - Just Dance - Killing Me Softly - La Bamba - Louie,Louie - Macarena - Night Train - Pretty
Woman - Old Time Rock and Roll - Peter Gunn - Play That Funky Music Whiteboy - Proud Mary - Respect -
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You - Smoke On the Water - Soul Man - Tequila - This Love - Twist and Shout - Your
Mama Don't Dance
Funk/Fusion/Smooth Jazz
Access Denied - And Daisy Makes Five - Big B little b - Budini - Chop Check - Designer Stubble - Get To It -
Grazin’ in the Grass - Letterman Theme - No Funk For You - Out of Nowhere - Seven On Seven - Seventh Inning
Stretch - Song for Claire - Theme From The Incredibles - The Zone
www.averagejazzband.com

Set Up Information
www.averagejazzband.com