Scheila Gonzalez (born August 5, 1971 in Los Angeles, California) is an American multi-instrumentalist and music educator. She is best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments with artists such as Dweezil Zappa, Alex Acuña, Ray Parker, Jr., and many others.[1] She currently plays tenor saxophone in the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra and is a full-time member of the Zappa Plays Zappa world tour in which she sings and plays several instruments.[2]
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Gonzalez took piano lessons from the age of four and transitioned to the saxophone at age twelve. She attended Fullerton College in the early 1990s and recorded on the Downbeat critically acclaimed CD Mainstream, she later tranfered to California State University, Northridge to complete her undergraduate degree in music. She sings, plays several woodwind instruments, and keyboards. Gonzalez is the Director of Jazz Combos at Santa Susana Performing Arts High School in Simi Valley, California, gives private lessons, and does freelance work in addition to her album, tour, and concert appearances.[1]
Notable performances[]
Gonzalez has been performing on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour with Dweezil Zappa since its 2006 inception. She has received praise in the media for her instrumental performance and skill during the tour.[3][4] The show has toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia. She has appeared on television shows such as The Tonight Show backing Garth Brooks and the BET Music Awards backing Sheila Gonzalez has also done film work, appearing in the Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration.[1]
Awards[]
Gonzalez won the Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent Award, a prestigious jazz music recognition awarded in the Los Angeles area.[1] As a member of the Zappa Plays Zappa ensemble, Gonzalez won a 2009 Best Rock Instrumental Performance Grammy Award for the group's recording of "Peaches en Regalia".[5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Scheila Gonzalez". The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. http://www.divajazz.com/personnel/scheila.html. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
- ↑ "The Players". Zappa Plays Zappa. http://www.zappaplayszappa.com/players.html. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
- ↑ Fountain, Leigh Buckley (2007-11-10). "Magical music of F. Zappa rocks again - Leading a crack band, son Dweezil shows songs' power". Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia): p. B-4.
- ↑ Glasgow, Greg (2006-10-20). "Zappa tribute band celebrates prog rock icon - Guitar legend's son puts together next best thing". The Daily Camera (Boulder, Colorado): p. C04.
- ↑ D'Andrea, Niki (2009-02-24). "Zappa Plays Zappa Stays True to Frank’s Vision". Phoenix New Times (Phoenix, Arizona). http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-02-26/music/zappa-plays-zappa-stays-true-to-frank-s-vision/. Retrieved 2009-02-28.