The Best of Laredo

Blue Rondo a la Turk, is a jazz standard composition written by Dave Brubeck, and was performed beautifully by Joe Guerra on drums, Robert Lopez on trumpet, Ric Cortez on guitar, Ricardo Reyes on bass, and Jerry Quintero on piano, at the International Chamber Music Festival presented by Texas A&M International University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on Friday, September 16 of 2011 at 7:30 P.M. . The Festival included music performed by TAMIU professors and other guest musicians

Jerry Quintero is currently a visiting music instructor at TAMIU; he currently teaches a variety of different music classes including jazz band and piano. Jerry Quintero, first started playing piano at the age of six, but he discovered that it was his passion until he was in high school. There, Mr. Quintero realized that "it was something inside of him" that he loved to do and he pursued that dream. When asked about why he chose to participate in this type of events he answered with "it's a challenge [he said]…. I get to practice and [its] always very educational for me it helps me stay on top of the game." It was asked to the faculty whoever wanted to participate in this concert with any tunes, and Mr. Quintero not only chose Blue Rondo a la Turk; he also brought a group of talented musicians to stage. Mr. Quintero and the rest the group worked for two weeks and separately Mr. Quintero worked for about 3 months.

Mr. Quintero and the other Tamiu faculty and guest musicians performed Blue Rondo a la Turk flawlessly. Mr. Quintero loves what he does and mentions that music "allows the audience to relax." Ultimately Mr. Quintero loves to play with his group, mentioning that they are "the best of Laredo!"

(Jonathan Brosig may be reached at jonathan.brosig@dusty.tamiu.edu and Emanuel Pruneda may be reach at emanuel_pruneda@hotmail.com )