Edmund Velasco To honor jazz tradition, to seek innovation, and to make the music fun and enjoyable to listen to--this is the goal of the Edmund Velasco Quintet. The focus of every performance by the Edmund Velasco Quintet is the ensemble's own compositions and arrangements.

There is an undeniably higher level of passion when a group plays it's own music. With the Edmund Velasco Quintet, the energy becomes contagious--it's an invitation for the audience to share in the joy and excitement of discovery. This might explain why The Edmund Velasco Quintet was nominated for The Jazz Artist of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards (2000)

Accessibility and variety are also key. While these players are seasoned pros and well-rooted in jazz standards, they have also had experience in a wide variety of other styles. This is reflected in the quintet's eclectic repertoire. A single night's performance might include such myriad styles as blues, bebop, free jazz, salsa, and even reggae. Many of these interesting tunes can be heard on the Sub Rosa records release Alligator Rhythm and currently on The Blues In Me, a project released by GemTone Records and now getting air play across the country.

Based in Southern California, the quintet has performed at many important local venues, including the Jazz Bakery in Culver City, Steamers Cafe in Fullerton, and L.A.'s Catalina Bar & Grill, Spazio as well as the world famous Baked Potato in Hollywood . The group has also performed for arts and music festivals throughout their state including The Day of Music in Long Beach and The San Jose Jazz Festival. The group has performed in Portugal at the Funchal Jazz Festival in Mediera as well as the Matosinos.

Most recently the group has completed very successful East Coast tours that featured stops in New York, New Jersey, Detroit and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Edmund can be seen as a featured soloist with The Estrada Brothers Latin Jazz Sextet and The Chris Williams Quintet. He can occasionally be seen with The Todd Oliver Quartet as well as various other groups

The individual members of the group are much sought after sidemen and have played with some of the industry's top names including Mel Torme, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Tommy Newsome, Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, Brian Setzer and many more. However, together, as the Edmund Velasco Quintet, these artists offer jazz fans something exciting, unique, and always from the heart.