Samz School of Rock

Veteran professional musician, songwriter, band leader, Founder and Music Director for Samz School of Music, Sam Martinez is a Salinas native and mentor for many of Salinas Valley’s top young bands and musicians.  With more than thirty years of experience performing and teaching music, Sam is widely regarded as a consummate and energetic performer. His original band “Kachabeat” was awarded “One of San Diego’s Top Original Bands” and recorded a hit single “Jah Beat the Devil” on the “Musician’s Who Care” album by BMI Productions out of Los Angeles.  In the early 1990’s, when it came time to raise a family he returned to his home town of Salinas where he formed the well-known “Chicano All Stars Band.”  Since then, the Chicano All Stars have become one of Monterey County’s most popular Latin Rock, R & B dance bands.  The band currently performs a variety of live music venues, outdoor festivals, corporate events, community fundraisers and private events.  Over the years, Sam has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with other great musicians such as: Tierra, Malo, El Chicano, Tower of Power, Jorge Santana with Suave, Richard Bean and SAPO, LAVA Latin Rhythms, Eddie Money, Maria Maldaur, Brenton Wood, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, Sista Monica, John Broadway Tucker and other great musicians.  

Although Sam believes that “Teaching what you know to the next generation is like the final frontier in a performing career,” the truth is that Sam has been sharing his musical knowledge and experience with young musicians since he was a young musician himself.  Sam has been quoted, “Music is my life.  I live and breathe music 24 hours a day.” Through his own recording studio, “Sam’s Lab Recording” he has helped out countless numbers of young talented musicians by giving them opportunities to perform, coaching them on performance techniques, providing band rehearsal space and resources to help get young bands started.  

Sam was employed in Product Specialist/Sales at Gadsby’s Music Store in Salinas for many years until the family-owned business closed in March, 2009.  He has been a member of the National Association of Musicians Merchants (NAMM) and has been a buyer for musical instruments for the past thirty years.  Sam also taught drums through the Monterey Arts Council at various schools in the Monterey County area.  He has traveled to San Diego and Ventura County to teach kids there as well.  Sam has been involved with the Salinas Youth Council, judging for the Battle of the Bands and other local youth organizations such as “Youth in Motion” based out of South Monterey County.  For years, Sam had been dreaming of wanting to start a rock music performance school that could reach out to as many kids as possible.  His passion has always been to work with kids and help them fulfill their musical dreams.   Now that Samz School is moving forward, there is nothing to stop Sam’s enthusiasm in accomplishing his dream and fulfilling the musical dreams for many children! 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Homero Chavez
Drum Instructor/Percussionist
Summer Sessions Instructor for Samz School of Rock
Homero Chavez is an independent drummer/percussionist,  Cajon player, producer and instrument designer.  Homero Chavez and Sam Martinez have enjoyed a long friendship since Homero played drums in Sam Martinez’ original band “Kachabeat” back in San Diego.  Homero is currently serving as President of the International Percussive Arts Society for California.   Most recently, Homero has made news with his trip representing Peace Drums and Percussion in Russia.  His work as a musician, producer, educator, and instrument designer has been featured around the globe.  He is featured in Latin Beat Magazine, Drums, Modern Drummer, Drum Magazine, Back Beat, Community Drums, Percussion News, Music Industry, Up Beat and Musician magazine as a clinician and with his latest contribution to the percussion family, his signature Cajon.  The ergonomical Cajon instrument was the master mind of Homero Chavez and built by Michael Kotzen in California.  The Cajon is available for sale on line at www.kotztonecajon.com. 

Homero is published in several entertainment and music industry magazines such as Percussive Notes, Guitar Magazine, SAMTE Journal and others.  His music productions have aired on the radio, internet and television spots for Allegiance Telecom, and the late Ricardo Montalban.  Homero has toured Russia, Poland, Asia, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America performing at various music and drum festivals.  As a resident of Pomona, California Homero is an active contributor in the community promoting percussion activities through programs like “StompKids” and a yearly summer camp for disadvantaged kids.  Homero endorses REMO RMC and conducts workshops at REMO and throughout the USA, Canada, Central and South America.   Homero is proud to be affiliated with the “Local 47 – The Roots of Rhythm” program, Peace Drums, Kotz Tone Cajon, Future Sonics, Triplet Drum Gloves, Super Sticks, Rhythm Tech, Wrist Builders, Phatfoot, and Factory Metal Percussion. 

Homero has produced “El Canto De La Gente” CD and he has traveled nationally and internationally performing Major Drum/Percussion and Music Festivals like: SC Moscow, SOJ Moscow, SB World Percussion Music Festival, PASIC, KOSA, The Sierra Nevada Music Fest, Reggae on the River, One World Music Fest, Vancouver Jazz Fest, Grec Music Festival de Barcelona, Spain, Heimatklange Berlin, New Morning Paris, Radio One Belgium, Music Meeting Holland, Xtra Limmathaus Zurich, Red Sea Jazz Eilat Israel, Lincoln Center, Japan American Theatre, House of Blues, Conga Room, Troubadour, Hot House and many others.  Homero has performed at “Agustin Lara Awards” and tribute concerts with a variety of Mexican superstars.  The Samsung LPGA Tour Award Ceremony.  He appears on drums and/or percussion in the following productions: Son Mestizo CD, NBC Production of “GITANAS” CDs “KZ” Live at the Troubadour,” Denise Donatelli and “El Canto De La Gente.”  

 Contact Homero at: Homedrum@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/hchpro 

Micah Cabaccang
Beginning Keyboards and Drum Instructor
for Samz School of Rock Summer Camp

Micah’s inspiration and motivation started around when he was five years old when his dad bought him a drum pad and sticks to master the fundamentals of sticking/rudiments and reading music.  Micah did not start playing the drum set until after he mastered the fundamentals.  Micah played in the elementary and middle school music program and has been playing drums for ten years.  Micah grew up listening to Rush, and the drummer Neil Peart, who was an immense inspiration for him.  Micah’s opportunities sky-rocketed when he entered High School and joined the Salinas High music program.  Micah is in the marching band, jazz band, concert band, combo jazz group and he accompanies orchestra and choir playing percussion.  Micah had the opportunity of a lifetime to be accepted in the Blues in the Schools Honor Band (B.I.T.S.) directed by Dennis Murphy.  Micah performed with The B.I.T.S. Honor band at the Next Generation Jazz Festival and in the Monterey Blues Festival the past two years and will again participate this year in April and June.  Micah also had the awesome opportunity to learn and work with first-hand with the renowned Monterey Jazz Festival Clinicians, such as Vince Lateano, and Peck Almond to name a few.  Micah was accepted in the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Star Band this year.  The MJF County High School All-Star Band directed by renowned saxophonist and flautist Mr. Paul Contos, includes the best and brightest student musicians from the Monterey County, and includes students from Carmel, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Palma, Salinas, Seaside and York High School.  Members of the All-Star Band are selected by the Festival’s “Traveling Clinicians” who visit Monterey schools once a month during the school year for one-on-one instruction in jazz.  The All Star band will be performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Noto, Japan with their annual tour in July.  Including the MJF All-Star band, Micah attended the Monterey Jazz Festival Jazz Camp for two years.  The MJF Summer Jazz Camp is an intensive two week immersion day program for young jazz students to learn and develop music skills and knowledge, with classes including big bands, small ensembles, vocal performance, instrumental master classes, and daily workshops on different music subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy Dowdy
Bass Guitar and Drum Instructor

Randy Started his musical career at age 9 when he joined his elementary school band playing drums and soon after, began taking private lessons from John Orzel of the Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra and the Santa Cruz Symphony. He got his first drum set age 10 and pursued his musical career studying jazz / fusion and orchestra at Washington Middle School with MS. Carroll orchestra/jazz instructor. He formed his first rock band “After Dark” at age 13, playing small school events and birthday parties, gaining recognition in the Salinas Californian as “The next generation of rising stars” and awarded a Certificate Of Recognition in Musical Excellence, as well as being dubbed “Randy The Rhythm King” by his instructors.

In high school He joined the Salinas High School Concert band / Orchestra, Jazz Band, Marching Band and Drumline, traveling throughout CA and NV competing in national band reviews and ranking very highly in the group and individual reviews placing top 5 in marching and performance focusing on Snare, Bass and Tenor Drums on several occasions. He took Guitar 1-2 and Music Appreciation progressing to teachers aid, studying under Joe Johnson (director) and Rudy Ortiz (Drum instructor / member of Santa Clara Vanguard Marching Ensemble) by his senior year. He was given the opportunity to study with Omar Green (Concord Blue Devils Drumline instructor / Drum Core Int. Competition top 5 ranking 3 consecutive years) focusing on rudiments and technique.

In 1996, his band “Waste Basket,” his first time as front man and guitar player took 2^nd place in Salinas High Schools Battle of the bands.  Back on drums, his band “Stick Figures” won 1^st place in 1997 and 1998. He also played ska guitar with “3 Times The Refreshment” in 1996 and punk/ska guitar with “LSC 151” in 1997.

In 1999 He formed his punk/rock band “Hate For State” playing the bass guitar. He recorded and produced their first demo CD in his home studio in 2000 as well as their second demo release in 2003. After losing their Lead vocalist in 2004, Randy stepped in and took over vocal duties just before entering the studio to record their 2005 releases “Padded Room” and “Moving On.” In the summer of 2007 Hate For State went on tour to support their first full length album “Just Begun” recorded at Greystone Studios by Richard Brian (formerly of “Doobie Brothers and Chaka Khan) released in 2007 on indie label Knife Records. Traveling through NV, AZ, NM and TX stopping to play venues along the way and were asked to come back the following summer in 2008. Hate For State has placed top 5 in “Your Music Magazines Band Olympics” 4 years in a row and also performed live on AMP TV on several occasions, at “The End ’05 Film release party” and has been featured in many publications including: “Your Music Magazine,” “Salinas Californian” and “Monterey County Weekly”

In 2009 Randy began studies in Funk and Fusion Bass with Brian Gautier (Advanced Bass Instructor / Solo Artist) learning Slap / Pop technique, Melodic Theory and right hand studies. Currently Randy can be seen performing with Hate For State (Punk/Rock), Voodoo Boys Trio (Blues/Rock) and Pleatherface (Shred Metal).  For beginning to advanced bass guitar and drum technique check him out at www.youtube.com/tyeemilesguitar, and www.youtube.com/punkgumby.  Contact the Samz School of Rock office or contact Randy directly at (831) 210-0498  for private music lessons on bass or drums . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Reyes
Electric and Classical Guitar Instructor

Alex Reyes started his guitar studies at age 13 and graduated from Alisal High School in Salinas, CA.  At Alisal High he was in the Alisal Blues Band and also the Drama Club where he was the lead guitar player in “Little Shop of Horrors.”   Alex studied classical guitar and music theory for three years at Hartnell College.  In wanting to expand his knowledge both in music theory and guitar skills he went on to study at Musician’s Institute College of Contemporary Music in Hollywood and graduated with an AA  in 2010.  His music styles range from Classic Rock, Blues, Classical Guitar and Metal, Hard Rock, Pop.  His skills include electric and classical guitar techniques for arpeggios, chords and scales,  chart reading/composing, Sibelius 6 composing program, a great knowledge of music theory and also can teach basic bass guitar techniques.  Alex  also has live performing experience at the Catalinas Jazz Club in Hollywood and The Knitting Factory  in Hollywood.  Alex studied with many famous guitar teachers such as Doug Rappaport, Tom Kolb, David Oaks and Greg Harrison.  His inspirations are guitar players such as Ritchie Blackmore, Randy Rhoads and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Alex has remarkable patience and excellent communication skills in dealing with students with different needs.  He currently teaches an after school music program at Frank Paul School in Salinas on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, so currently he is not available for Tuesday or Thursday afternoons.   Alex has a flexible schedule and available to teach Monday, Wednesday, Friday and even Saturdays.  

Private lessons for advanced guitar players is also available and for students who want to further their guitar knowledge by learning chord patterns, arpeggios, scales and music theory.  For metal guitar you can learn picking techniques, harmonic  minor, pentatonic scales,  etc.   If you are interested in scheduling  your private lessons  with Alex please contact him at his email directly at  Reyesalex87@yahoo.com  by cell phone at (831) 579-9543 or contact Samz School at Samzschoolofrock@yahoo.com.