Bio - Jorge Chávez

Jorge Chávez

(Guadalajara, 5 de Noviembre de 1977).

An accomplished drummer, percussionist, educator, improviser, producer, songwriter, and drum technician with over 20 years of professional musical experience, he is a well renowned musician of the alternative music scene in Mexico. His experience has enabled him to perform in different venues in Mexico and abroad, having participated in music festivals such as: Vive Latino (Mexico City, MX) -4 years-, Sonorama (Guadalajara, MX), 212 (Guadalajara, MX) -3 years-, Rock X la Vida (Guadalajara, MX), South By Southwest (Austin, US) -4 years-, Rock al Parque (Bogota, CO), White Nights Festival (Perm, RU), Ruido Fest (Chicago, IL), Roskilde Festival (Denmark) and many more.

He has a wide musical profile, and is proficient in a diverse selection of musical styles (e.g. Jazz, Funk, Metal, Rock, Blues, Electronic, Pop and Noise) as well as adding details and arrangements of Mexican folkloric music in his compositions. He does sound design and arranging for studio recordings and live presentations through the use of toys, trash cans, pots, pans, percussion, samplers and ambient recordings. Also, he has a background in musical studies from the Music School of the University of Guadalajara (1997-2000) and has taken private lessons and clinics from several drummers both foreign and domestic. In addition, he is currently giving private and public lessons for the EAM (Escuela Alternativa de Musica) in Mexico City.

Despite the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, in 2020 he remains very active as an online music/drum teacher and was invited as a host for OFFBEAT MX (YouTube Channel dedicated to the art of Drums) and also on behalf of the UNAM (Autonomous University of Mexico) participated in a duet of Drums with Milo Tamez called “Exploraciones Bateriológicas” for “Música UNAM”.

In 2022 he began working as a drum technician for Alex “El Animal” González (Maná/ De La Tierra).

For more than 20 years he’s had different sponsors, including: DW Drums and Hardware, Pacific Drums and Hardware, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Aquarian Drumheads, Roland and Kickport.

As a drummer he has been a part of the following projects:

PITO PEREZ (2000-2007)

Founder, composer and drummer of this Funk-Rock ensemble with whom he won the 2nd edition of the “Hard Rock Stage” contest sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe in 2000. Afterwards, Pito Perez was signed by Warner Bros. and launched its first L.P. titled “Con Mas Poder” (Warner Music, 2002) recorded in Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas and Leboot Studios in Los Angeles, California, produced by Jesus “Chuy” Flores. Since the release of this album, Pito Perez toured extensively in Mexico sharing stages with bands like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Maná, Kinky, Jaguares, El Tri, etc.

They then released their second album entitled “Tal y Cual” (Warner Music, 2004), recorded in Conway studios and Steakhouse Studio in Los Angeles, California, produced by Alex González (drummer and producer of the Mexican band Maná). After which they toured in the USA, Mexico and Latin America alongside such bands as Cafe Tacvba, Green Day and Simple Plan, as well as participating in the “Play Rush” tour sponsored by Pepsi.

CLONDEMENTTO (2007-2010)

Composer and drummer of this band that fused different elements of Jazzcore, Funk, Metal and Carnival music. The first album, entitled “Penthouse Bacteria” (Indie, 2005), opened the doors to different performances throughout the country obtaining recognition as an original, creative, bold ensemble with strong stage presence and receiving positive reviews from national journalists. Afterwards they edited “Carnival Complexia” (Intolerancia, 2009), mixed and recorded by Daniel Goldaracena (producer, audio engineer and ex-member of the band “Los Nena”, who has been live engineer for festivals and international artists in the Jazz, Noise and Metal genres). Said album had a very positive reception by the critics and allowed them to tour most parts of Mexico and play in different venues and festivals as well as sharing the stage with Faith No More during their presentation in Guadalajara, MX.

DESCARTES A KANT (2010-2021)

Drummer and arranger of this band which binds Cabaret, Noise, Jazz, Blues and Mathcore. He was incorporated into the band during the production of their second album entitled “Il Visore Lunatique” (Intolerancia, 2012), which was considered by different media and critics as one of the best albums in 2012. During this time they have played with bands like The Melvins, The Shins, Slayer, Sepultura, Dead Cross, Cibo Matto, etc. Also touring in Mexico, USA, South and Central America, Russia, Spain, appearing in international festivals.

The new album “Victims of Love Propaganda” was recorded in March 2016 in Chicago, IL in Steve Albini’s Studios (Electrical Audio), recorded and produced by Albini himself. The album is to be released in March 2017 through the USA label Cleopatra Records around the world.

TODD CLOUSER’S CHANT (2015-PRESENT)

The creative and great guitar player from the USA who actually lives in Mexico City and created this community band, that wherever they perform live they invite random people in the audience to join in reciting a poem, dancing, playing an instrument or even doing soccer tricks on stage!.

TERUKA (2016-PRESENT)

The new band founded by Jorge Chavez with different musicians of Mexico, Chile and Japan is intended to be a tribute to the vast world of Mexican Music combined with Jazz, Rock, Electronic, etc.
https://youtu.be/P0mmMj4Q8cU

May 12, 2022, the song “Nena” composed as a tribute to the grandmother of the drummer, founder and composer of Teruka: Jorge Chavez appears on all digital platforms https://youtu.be/9Up089UG66o.

November 5, 2022 Teruka’s first album appears on all digital platforms under the name “TERUKA EP” consisting of 5 songs, of which 4 are recorded live

MUVA (2018-2021)

It is a multi sensory experience: cinematic, experimental, personal, scenic and involving, intense visions that generate moments of oppression and liberation, also revealed in visual art and performance. MUVA is an allegory of movement, of synergy between sensations, experiences and memories. The “cinematic” genre is conceptually willing to highlight specific moments within a cinematographic work such as a soundtrack and in this case, for the images of my life.

Chatran Gonzalez (Excerpt taken from the MUVA website).

PADRINOS DE RESERVA (2019-PRESENT)

Cover band of songs that appear in films of Quentin Tarantino with members of bands like: “Descartes a Kant”, “Los Padrinos”, “Peipers” and “Teruka”.

Yolihuani (2019-Present)

In 2019 he is invited to participate in the recording of the first solo album by Yolihuani Curiel (Radaid, Fesway, Dha Beat) “Les Neuf Anonymes”, where he is allowed to improvise 100% during the recording and obtaining interesting, percussive and experimental results, using pots, pans, toys, different types of drumsticks and even throwing objects, all of this was captured in the documentary “Sonic Images” by Francisco Gonzalez from Lunática Media: https://youtu.be/pnfReurArwY.

Due to the pandemic, this album has not been presented live, until now in 2023.

Alex Gonzalez’s Drum Tech (2022-Present)

In 2022 he began working as a drum technician for Alex “El Animal” González (Maná/ De La Tierra).

He has also collaborated with bands like: Mooi (CDMX), Radaid (GDL), Silent Lune (TIJ/SD), Mon Laferte (Chile), Pastilla (Los Angeles), Alejandro Marcovich (CDMX), Los Outsiders (Peru) among others.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Pito Perez – “Con Más Poder” (Warner Music, 2002)

Pito Perez – “Tal y Cual” (Warner Music, 2004)

Clondementto – “Carnival Complexia” (Intolerancia, 2009)

Descartes a Kant – “Il Visore Lunatique” (Intolerancia, 2012)

Descartes a Kant – “Victims of Love Propaganda” (Cleopatra Records, 2017)

Yolihuani – “Les Neuf Anonymes” (Independent, 2020)

Jorge Chavez/Teruka – “Nena (feat. Todd Clouser)” Single (Discos Teruka, 2022)

Teruka – “Teruka EP” (Discos Teruka, 2022).