ABOUT US
Potato Head Jazz Band is a Traditional Jazz band (hot jazz, ragtime, New Orleans Jazz, 1920s), comprising six talented musicians hailing from Spain, Argentina, and Italy, this group has established itself as one of the leading exponents of the style today, garnering widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally. Founded in 2003 in the city of Granada, Spain, Potato Head Jazz Band emerged from its members’ deep-rooted passion for the roots of jazz and their commitment to preserving its essence.
Through meticulous study and interpretation, the band has successfully captured the vibrant energy and captivating melodies that characterized the early jazz ensembles of the era. With this common goal, its experienced members began to shape the particular style that today characterizes Potato Head Jazz Band. A style that seeks to respect the aesthetics and sound of the origins of jazz to the fullest extent.
They have performed at some of the best European Jazz Festivals and Clubs, being chosen “The most entertaining Band” after several appearances at Birmingham International Jazz Festival, UK.
It has also been the only band of this style that has performed twice for Radio 3 Concerts on Spanish National Television.
In the summer of 2019 they had the opportunity to perform in France together with one of the best bands in the world, TUBA SKINNY, from New Orleans, USA, in an unforgettable “Jam Session” in which they played some of their favorite songs together. Videos from this performance have more than one million views on Youtube.
The sound of the band is clearly influenced by the origins of its musicians, who bring the unique “flavor” and energy on stage that characterize the band. Potato Head Jazz Band always offers a careful aesthetics combination on stage too.
Their wise mixture of music, acting, instruments, voices and good humor all together create a communicative show that invites the public to interact in an energetic and happy way.
Banjo, double bass, clarinet, drums, trombone and trumpet join together to offer a unique show starring the meticulous work that goes into each of its aspects: the music, the staging, the costumes and the musical language.
Their musical style is distinguished by a profound respect for the original forms and sounds of jazz, while simultaneously incorporating fresh and contemporary elements that reflect the group’s own artistic vision. In this way, Potato Head Jazz Band not only offers a nostalgic journey through jazz history but also invites new generations to discover and enjoy this timeless genre.
The band’s sound is characterized by its deep understanding of the musical language employed by early jazz musicians and bands, seamlessly blended with Latin musical influences stemming from the band members’ diverse backgrounds, particularly during improvisational passages. The band has dedicated considerable effort to meticulously studying the sound and expressive techniques of jazz pioneers from the early decades of the 20th century.
Potato Head Jazz Band’s captivating live performances are a cornerstone of their success. In concert, they transport audiences back to the roaring 1920s jazz era, seamlessly blending high-quality musicianship with good humor and a carefully crafted stage presence. Audiences are often surprised by the energy and contemporary feel of their interpretations of music from nearly a century ago. This combination, coupled with their educational approach, creates an entertaining and vibrant show that invites the audience to participate and feel a part of the experience.
The band adheres to the traditional instrumentation of early jazz ensembles, employing trumpet, cornet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, banjo, tuba, drums, and percussion elements such as the washboard, among others.
Potato Head Jazz Band has become an obligatory reference point for traditional jazz enthusiasts and those seeking to delve into the origins of this musical genre. Their dedication to preserving and disseminating traditional jazz, coupled with their talent and passion for music, makes them an exceptional group worthy of appreciation by a wide and diverse audience.
The band’s extensive festival itinerary includes notable appearances at:
– Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, UK
– Rive Jazzy, Suiza
– New Orleans Meets in Zöfingen, Suiza
– Torreilles Jazz Festival, Francia
– Dresden Dixieland Festival, Alemania
– Festival de Jazz de Granada, España
– Festival de Jazz de Linares, España
– Tarragona Dixieland Festival, España
– Jazz Antic Sitges, España
– Sct. Jorgen Jazzklub Festival, Dinamarca
– Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, UK
Potato Head Jazz Band has 8 studio albums:
– “This is not New Orleans”, an initiation album in which the band reviews some of the style’s standards, it is a carefree approach to this music, in which their personal version of “St. James Infirmary” stands out among others, much applauded since its inception. – “Like a child“, formed by 12 songs and in which for the first time they include songs composed by themselves, as well as interesting arrangements and versions of some of the best traditional jazz hits. – “Stompin´Around”, which constitutes a milestone in the band’s career. Acclaimed by specialized critics, this album has brought them unprecedented international recognition, having presented it at several European Festivals. Its good reception has led them to present it at the Great Auditorium in Dresden, Germany, within the framework of the most prestigious international Dixieland festival in Europe. With a new line-up that includes the trombone instead of sax, in this new stage the band has taken a step forward in many ways, maintaining its sense of “show” but without detaching itself from good musical work and constant study.– “Tight Like That”, released in 2022. The addition of a brilliant new drummer, Zeke Olmo, along with the purest traditional jazz repertoire and even their own compositions, strengthen the band’s sound in a more personal sense.
Following the philosophy of this style of jazz, like the previous albums, they recorded it completely live, with practically no editing. This time they opted for the recording at Zeke Olmo’s private studio, with only 2 microphones to record the entire session. It was possible to obtain a very natural sound and faithful to what the public would hear in an acoustic live show.
– “Dear Clarence”, released in 2023, this tribute recording celebrates the masterful composer and pianist of the Roaring Twenties, Clarence Williams. The album presents a curated selection of his most celebrated works, showcasing the unique incorporation of the washboard as a percussion instrument within the quintet format, featuring just two wind instruments: the trumpet and the clarinet. Recorded in the band’s own rehearsal space/studio, this collection captures the essence of live performance, employing traditional recording techniques with only two microphones.
– “Dear Miff”, Released in 2024, this tribute recording honors the virtuosic composer and trombonist of the 1920s, Miff Mole. The album features a selection of his finest compositions, performed by the full ensemble. Martín Torres showcases his versatility, expertly wielding both the clarinet and saxophone. Recorded in the band’s own rehearsal space/studio, this collection captures the essence of live performance, employing traditional recording techniques with only two microphones.
– “Dear Bix”, Released in 2024, this monographic tribute pays homage to the legendary composer and cornetist of the 1920s, Bix Beiderbecke. The album presents a selection of his most cherished works, fulfilling a long-held aspiration of the band, reflecting their profound admiration for this iconic musician. Recorded in the band’s own rehearsal space/studio, this collection captures the essence of live performance, employing traditional recording techniques with only two microphones.
– “Live at Peggy’s Skylight”, Released in 2024, this album marks the band’s latest and one of their most accomplished recordings. It stands as their first live album at a real show, captured during their recent UK tour. This collection perhaps most accurately encapsulates the band’s electrifying energy and serves as a testament to their exceptional live performance prowess. The recording took place at Peggy’s Skylight, a renowned jazz club in Nottingham, UK.
Who is Potato Head Jazz Band?
Martín Torres
Begins flute studies being 6 years old. In 1996 he began his classical training at the Patagonian University Institute of Arts where he studied for 4 years, in which he participated in the Patagonia Foundation Orchestra, the IUPA Youth Ensemble and the Neuquén Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Alberto Martín
Trumpet player from Granada, Spain
He begins to play cornet at 11 years old. Since he began his training in 1999 in modern music with the trumpet, he has achieved the maximum versatility that the instrument allows him.
Always interested in different musical styles, he developed his career playing jazz, but also Latin music and folklore from different South American countries. That is why he has participated in various projects collaborating with Roko, Martha High, O’Funkillo, David Murray among others.
He is currently in charge of the musical direction in Potato Head Jazz Band with whom he has participated in the best jazz festivals in the world such as Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival, Torreilles Jazz Festival, Dresden Dixieland Festival, New Orleans Meets in Zofingen, Rive Jazzy Festival.
Giorgio Gallina
Trombonist from Milano, Italy
He began musical studies with the violin at the age of 6 and, at 13, began studying trombone at the Cantelli Superior Conservatory in Novara, where years later he obtained a master’s degree in classical music.
Always interested in different musical styles, he developed his career playing jazz, but also Latin music and folklore from different South American countries. That is why he has participated in various projects collaborating with Roko, Martha High, O’Funkillo, David Murray among others.
He is currently in charge of the musical direction in Potato Head Jazz Band with whom he has participated in the best jazz festivals in the world such as Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival, Torreilles Jazz Festival, Dresden Dixieland Festival, New Orleans Meets in Zofingen, Rive Jazzy Festival
Antonio Fernández
Banjoist and Guitar from Granada, Spain
He began his musical studies as a guitarist of various styles, specializing in flamenco guitar for many years. His passion for “vintage” sounds led him to discover the Banjo and to create various North American music rooted projects, among which his previous formation “Piccolíssima Jug Band” stands out, a tribute to the first “jug bands” of southern USA in the first decades of the 20th century.In 2009 he joined Potato Head Jazz Band dedicating his professional career to the tenor banjo, studying with some of the best North American masters. He is a great admirer of ancient instruments, so in addition to always using original banjos from the 1920s, he also incorporated the four-string “tenor guitar” of the jazz era into his sound within the band.
Alejandro Tamayo
Double Bass and Tuba from El Puerto de Sta. María, Cádiz, Spain
At the age of 8, he began his studies at the conservatory in his home city and when he finished elementary school he changed piano for guitar, which he began to study on his own. Years later he began to study, also self-taught, double bass until 2012 when he applied for the higher degree at High School of Music of Catalonia where he studied for 4 years. He has shared stage with musicians such as Javier Ruibal, Alejo Martínez, Manolo Perfumo, Jorge Rossy, Jose Quevedo “El Bolita” or the cantaora “Argentina”, recording the album “La Vida del Artista” by the latter.
He started to learn Tuba for Potato Head Jazz Band, becoming an accomplished and skillful professional tuba player in no time.
Ezequiel “Zeke” Olmo
Drummer and percussionist from Pozoblanco, Córdoba.
He began his musical career at the age of 15 in a flamenco group called “Zambra”. He is the founder of projects like “Sr. Olm” or “Son de Nadie”. In 2004 he joined the famous band Eskorzo from Granada, with whom he has toured around Europe and South America.
He has studied the roots of Cuban percussion, Brazilian music and South American rhythms, African music, flamenco and jazz with professors such as Justo Pelladito, Jose Eladio Amad, José Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio el Negro, Jaime Nascimiento , Crá ros, “Manden” Tete Zaldívar, Rubén Dantas, Chema del Estad, Niño Bruno, Pedro Barceló, Miguel Morales, Aldo Clavija, among others
Elena Berrocal
Baterista y percusionista de Granada
She has been trained in different artistic disciplines since she was eight years old, especially in dance. Elena studied Arabic percussion and flamenco with Juana Larreta and Chema del Estad, and in 2018 she began his studies at the Granada Jazz School” Ool ya koo”, a fundamental pillar in his learning. There she receives two training scholarships and enters “Lavin! band “in 2022. She has taken classes with drummers such as Cote Calmet, Zeke Olmo, Carlos Ayuso and Rajiw Jayaweera. Elena gets deeply interested in traditional jazz and “washboard” when she joined Potato Head Jazz Band.”