Fred Sanchez, Events and Promotions

 

Fred Sanchez was born in Oxnard, California in 1961, the son of a widowed single mother. It was his mother that taught him the value of hard work and perseverance.

 

He attended Santa Clara Elementary School as well as Oxnard High School. After high school Fred enrolled at Moorpark College and  majored in Radio/Television Production. Thereafter, Fred had to go to work to take care of his family.

 

Fred has been married for 27 years and has a daughter and a son. He has been employed in the oil industry for the last 24 years and currently is an employee of Chevron Corporation. Fred continued to pursue his education and obtained his BA degree in 2002.

 

In 1994 Fred transferred to Bakersfield where he met saxophonist Richie Perez, who made him aware of the top jazz musicians in Bakersfield. Those musicians, such as Doug Davis, Steve Mettler, Paul Perez, Dennis Hamm, Kris Tiner, Ken Bausano, and others, helped ease his transition to Bakersfield by providing the type of music he loves. As a late bloomer musically, Fred took up the saxophone and began taking lessons with Steve Mettler and Paul Perez and continues to self educate.

 

Fred has a reputation as a promoter who helps promote OTHERS and not himself. Examples of this are his last two projects, helping to attract Jeff Lorber in 2005 and Tom Scott in 2007 (BJW’s first annual benefit concert). Both events benefited OTHERS! His motto is, "The Sun is out and I am happy to be alive—let the music play!"

 

Fred's goal for the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop is to assist it in developing credibility within the community and to help promote and embrace diversity through jazz.