Julia Guerrero EDINBURG- Fueled by musical passion, a UTRGV student is bringing back the jazz scene to the Valley through a new organization.
UTRGV graduate student Ulysses Deleon is pursuing his degree in classical guitar after receiving his bachelor’s in jazz studies from the University of North Texas.
With a love for classical guitar that started at a young age, Deleon started playing classical guitar when he was a kid after a gentle push from his parents. By seventh grade, his discovered jazz while listening to neo soul artists such as, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Robert Glasper.
“Once I started listening more to his sound and started listening to more of his like straight ahead jazz albums, and that’s what really got me into listening to jazz music,” Deleon said.
According to Deleon, by the 2000’s the Valley’s jazz scene had quieted down and says the jazz circle of musicians is bigger than we think.
A year ago, while collaborating with other local musicians Deleon’s love and passion for the jazz scene helped him pursue the founding of the newly established RGV Jazz Collective.
The organization is built of multiple musicians striving towards a common goal. To support and promote all styles of jazz music and musicians in the Rio Grande Valley.
Building up an audience and making the jazz community known are ways Deleon hopes the organization will grow.
“Because people would be like, well I’m a jazz musician. I don’t know where any of them are. Well, you know that’s the whole point,” Deleon said. “That’s the whole point of why we’re here, why we’re doing this.”
The organization offers workshops such as improvisation and ear-training along with performance opportunities for members and those looking to be a part of the jazz community.
To find more information on performances and events, visit the RGV Jazz Collective on Facebook and Instagram @RGVJAZZCOLLECTIVE.
