Joel Guzman has been called brilliant, extraordinary, a genius.
He began dazzling audiences and fellow musicians with his unique
accordion artistry as a child prodigy, causing established and
respected accordion players to christen him, at an early age, “El
Pequeno Gigante”. The Little Giant. Today, he is not only
a superbly accomplished instrumentalist, singer, and performer,
he is also a successful as an innovator, arranger and producer.
He and his band “Aztex” formed the nucleus and inspiration
for RCA’s release of Los Super Seven, featuring Joe Ely,
Freddy Fender, Flaco Jimenez, Ruben Ramos, Rick Trevino and David
Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas both of Los Lobos. The countless other
artists with whom Guzman has collaborated reads like a Who’s
Who of Texas Music. In spite of his award-winning success, Guzman
is restless. With his roots firmly planted in the full range
of traditional Mexican music, he has incorporated and experimented
with jazz, tejano, country, salsa, R&B and rock. His passionate
drive to create new musical directions and imaginative combinations
of all these genres, continues to place him in a category all
his own. He has said, “I may play a box but don’t
want to be put in one”. The formation of The Mexican Roots
Trio is his latest move to push the envelope, to venture out
into new and exciting areas of expression. The Mexican Roots
experience comes with the phenomenal vocal power of soul mate
and partner Sarah Fox along with longtime friend and world class
bajista, Max Baca Jr.. Together, this family reflects the inclination
to create fresh, daring musical blends and to perform them with
playful strut and bravado. For much of his career, Guzman has
generously contributed to the musical efforts of his countless
fellow-musicians and colleagues. Now he feels it’s time
to fully develop his own personal eclectic perceptions and ideas,
step to the front of the stage, and present audiences with something
far beyond tired formulas and safe homogenous sounds. He believes
music should be created and performed with energy, sensitivity,
honesty and above all, fearlessness. A growing number of people
of all ages, from different cultures and backgrounds, are forming
an audience ready to discover where this journey will take them
and what new gifts the melding of Guzmans’ musical styles
will offer.
