Album Notes

Virtually self taught, Pepe Gonzalez began developing his musicianship by frequenting the jazz jam sessions led by the late Lawrence Wheatley at the local DC Jazz clubs.

In his early twenties he played in a group by the name of ‘Zapata’ which earned great acclaim by many critics. In this band he opened for Stanley Turrentine, Ramsey Lewis, Sly & the Family Stone, Isley Brothers, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters, Rasshan Roland Kirk, Miles Davis and more.

For the past 30 years, he has performed largely within the Jazz and Afro-Caribbean idioms. He has had the pleasure of performing with Maria Rodriquez, IMANI, Pepper Adams, Clifford Jordan, Jeannie Bryson, Slide Hampton, Dave Valentin, Bryon Morris & Unity, Hilton Ruiz, Sheila Jordan, Carter Jefferson, Dave Amram and many others. He has played many festivals throughout the United States, Caribbean, Spain, France, Greece, Italy and the Soviet Union.


Pepe has been on over 30 recordings and he recently recorded his first CD entitled, “Looking Back.” The CD includes nine original compositions dedicated to family, mentors and heroes.

Presently Pepe is the Assistant Director of the Jazz Academy under the Director Paul Carr. He teaches Jazz Bass and Jazz Studies at the Levine School of Music and is also a clinician around the Mid-Atlantic Region.