The Hill Country's Hardest Hitting Jazz Band
When life needs a bit of soul, we're your prescription.
The members that make up Modal Mojo are some of the most experienced jazz musicians in the Texas Hill Country. Along with some of the newer hot shots coming up in the scene, Modal Mojo also has some of the more experienced cats in the area. The band brings together one of the hardest swinging bands the Texas Hill Country has to offer.
The experience of the members come from all walks. Some have traveled the world performing, and some have hit the Vegas scene. Some were in the hottest jazz bands in San Antonio. Some have traveled the Mid-South performing with Gospel groups. Some are just out of college and are keeping jazz alive with the younger generations.
There is one thing for certain, the eclectic members of Modal Mojo strive to collectively create a sound that listeners enjoy and keep coming back for more.
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.
Nick "El Fuego" Chacon
Drums
Nick Chacon was born on November 28th 3938 BBY on the forest world of Kashyyyk. As a teenager, Nick and his family had to flee the planet after the native Wookiee species became enslaved by Czerka Corporation. Perhaps it was for the best that he and his family chose not to remain and endure the cruel treatment of Czerka; Elvin Jones and Tony Williams were not very popular on Kashyyyk, and Nick aspired to become the first Wookiee jazz drummer.
They fled to Earth where, much to Nick’s dismay, jazz was just as unpopular. Undaunted, Nick enrolled at Texas State University to study with legendary Count Basie drummer Butch Miles. During these years, fitting in was quite difficult for the young Wookiee. Nick had to shave his entire body to fit in, and keeping his Wookiee temper under control during rush hour traffic proved to be a Herculean task. Despite these obstacles, Nick became the first Wookiee to earn a college degree. He even earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin three years later.
Nick currently resides in Kyle, Texas with his human girlfriend. In addition to playing with Modal Mojo, Nick is an active performer in the Austin and San Antonio area, though he makes the occasional intergalactic trip to Tatooine, where he plays jazz music at the Mos Eisley Cantina.
Clay Bielman
Drums
Clay was a founding member of our group and unfortunately left us all way too soon. May whatever comes after this life, Clay is there swinging hard with all the jazz cats of the past.
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.