Bio
Joe Cortez, III
Keyboards
Joe comes from a musical family with his early professional experience as a third-generation drummer at age 12. He began playing piano at age 10 and began playing keyboards professionally while in high school.
After graduating from high school, Joe studied music and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree at NTSU.
He played keyboards with Sunny and the Sunliners, The Latin Breed, and was musical director for the Platters. While living in Dallas Joe played with many local cover bands.
Joe moved back to San Antonio in 1985 and began teaching band. While teaching band in San Antonio schools, he played with many local bands as well as fifteen years with Richard Garcia and First Light.
Currently Joe is Director of Bands at Bandera High School and loves playing his favorite music, jazz!
Joe Guzardo
Saxophone
Joe grew up playing music in various churches in Texas and throughout the Deep South.
He has played several instruments, but the saxophone has always been his voice.
He played with several local bands in various venues in the Deep South and in Texas.
His main influences have been Stanley Turrentine, Dexter Gordon, Chic Corea, Wayne Shorter, Marc Russo, to name a few.
He went on to receive a Bachelor's of Arts in Performance from Schreiner University.
Joe Sarli
Bass
Joe comes from a background heavily influenced by jazz and popular music. He is a 5th generation professional musician that grew up learning from and playing with the regions best musicians. He started working as a professional at the age of 14. He has played in bands that has opened up for the Beach Boys, Journey, Doobie Brothers, Stanley Clarke, Dexter Gordon, Stanley Turrentine, The Rippingtons among many others. He has the distinct experience to have been headlining after the opening act, ZZ Top.
Clay Bielman
Drums
Clay comes from a family of musicians and started his journey early by playing for his jazz piano playing father. He continues to work with several local musicians and groups of all styles, but feels more at home laying down a tight swing groove.