Debut show in Houston!
Hudson Day’s Graphic so that we could promote the event.
On July 11th 2026, Aidan Clark and I drove from Austin to Houston to preform a set of music to tribute many of the jazz trombone quintets that have graced history. I overlapped for two years at Michigan State with Aidan, and since moving down to Texas, have stayed connected with him. Watching him grow, and trying to keep up.
The very next day he flew out to play in prolific drummer Ali Jackson’s sextet. The day before, he had a gig in Michigan. He’s doing it!
Wow…
I can’t thank everyone enough for their amazing support in Houston on July 11th. Driving to Houston, Aidan and I did not know if we did enough promoting. But after all, we only had about 11 days to sell tickets. But, God!
God really showed up. How you may ask? Well I asked for prayer and found out my people, family and friends, were already praying for the event. When the event happened we hit exactly with-in my goal. I also met some amazing people at the show.
It takes a village.
Left to right: Selina Gutierrez, Judah Guerra, Christiana Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez.
My cousins whom now live in Houston came out to support. Selina was actually the first one to tell me I should do an album! Y’all can thank her for that.
Thank you to Andre Hayward for the assistance in promoting. To Prof. Michael Dease for sharing the post I made the same day. To my friends and family who bought tickets and tipped the band super generously. To Jayce Konopka for praying. To my Dad and Mom for praying. To Vincent Gardner for sending supportive texts to Aidan and I.
Also special shoutout to Hudson Day for this AMAZING graphic poster as you can see above. He is responsible for my CD Design and my website construction and design. He is MY graphic designer.
The highlights for me included: the poster made by Hudson, prepping for the gig with AC (Aidan Clark), the turnout from the audience, meeting and playing with Houston musicians I have never played with before, and the reception that Emmit’s gave us. I also really enjoyed connecting with Andre Hayward on the whole ordeal. Afterword’s he heard it went well. He was playing at Emmit’s the day after we were, so we made sure to tell the bartender to hype us up to him!
I am forgetting this wonderful woman's name, but she was amazing. Shoutout to her for telling Andre it went well!!
Here is what Emmit’s Place said after our preformance:
“I hear yall had a wonderful show on Saturday. We would love to have y’all back. Please let me know if you would like another date. (August is filling up fast)”
So that is a win! Getting invited back to this venue is a huge honor, and I hope to make the most of that soon.
Trading 4’s on “Out of Nowhere” with Aidan!
I’d also be remiss to mention how amazing it was getting to share the stage with Aidan.
Aidan is an amazing musician, and super super smart. It actually is quite humbling being around him, because of these things. His ability on the horn, his sound, his lush singing voice and melodies when he plays, all contribute and aid when backed by such a soulful and witty personality.
This month he is going to the International Trombone Festival to compete in both the J.J Johnson and the Carl Fontana festival. Since this writing, Aidan went on to WIN the Carl Fontana against some really big competition! What an honor to be his friend, and even get to share the stage.
It was also really amazing playing with the band as I said before. Isaiah Sanders on drums, and blood brothers Noe and Joaquín Ramos Chiao were humble, talented, and I am excited to work with them again! I will actually be doing another trombone show here again August 20th with Cesar Torres, with the brothers in the rhythm section but a different drummer.
For me, now it’s time to get ready for a very busy week. Ahead of me I have:
A four day run with Jason Goldman and his 11 man Big Band feat singer Joie Bianco.
A gig Saturday night with local woodwind player Sammy Epstein in Georgetown, TX.
My DEBUT as a bandleader at Monks Jazz!
If you made it this far, pray for me! lol. I do believe I need to take it to the next level. More thoughts on that later.
See y’all soon.
-Student of the Way.
