Javier Chaparro and Salúd
Javier Chaparro – Violin, Guitar & Vocals
Mitch Watkins – Guitar & Vocals
Laura Mordecai – Percussion & Vocals
John Fremgen – Bass
Salúd is the songwriting muse of
Javier Chaparro. His songs draw from all over the Latin countries and are augmented with flares of classical, jazz and Americana. The strong stylings of his band mates mash up these genres to create music that is filled with romance, inspiration and pure joy. Formed in 2010, the band originally started at Las Palomas Restaurant in West Lake and then found its home and its loyal following at the beloved West Austin Z Tejas where it maintained a residency until the restaurant’s sale in 2015. In 2012 Javier and the band took their music to Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studios where they recorded their album, Tuyo.
While each of the members continue other projects, they perform together throughout the year playing select festivals and house concerts. They have performed at the Kerrville Folk Festival and returned by popular demand to Quiet Valley Ranch concert venue for the Kerrville Wine and Music Festival. They have toured around the state as part of the Texas Commission on the Arts program including shows at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin. In 2016 they took Javier’s music to a new level performing it with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra in College Station. By popular demand they returned to College Station for another Sold Out orchestral performance in 2022.
Meet the Band Members:
A native of Lima, Peru,
Javier Chaparro began his formal study of violin at the National Conservatory in Lima. He has been with the Sinfonica Nacional in Lima, the Fine Arts Theatre Orchestra in Mexico City, the Austin Symphony and currently holds the post of Concert Master for the Brazos Valley Symphony. As a guest artist he has performed solo and chamber music recitals in the United States, South America, and Europe. Over the years he has built quite an eclectic musical career performing Latin, Jazz, Gypsy, Pop and Country Western music as a band leader and a sideman.
Mitch Watkins discovered the guitar at age 13. Only months later, he was gigging with a surf band in McAllen, Texas. He hasn't stopped since. His musical journey has taken him down many stylistic pathways, and to the far corners of the globe. His rise came when his critically acclaimed jazz fusion group Passenger toured with Leonard Cohen. He has performed with Joe Ely, Jennifer Warnes, Jerry Jeff Walker, K.T. Oslin and many others. He has performed with and produced CDs for Bob Schneider, Abra Moore and others as well as having five CDs to his own credit.
Laura Mordecai, percussionist and vocalist, spent her formative years playing drums in her father's dixieland jazz band and percussion in pit orchestras for musical theater. She has recorded and continues to perform with Stephanie Urbina Jones and the Honky Tonk Mariachi and The Texicana Mamas. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Grand Ole Opry, the Kerrville Folk Festival and has had the honor to perform with many other artists including Steve Miller Band, Austin Pops Orchestra, Libby Kirkpatrick and Beto and the Fairlanes. As a member of the Recording Academy, Laura has served on the Texas Chapter Board of Governors as Education Committee Chair, as Secretary and as Vice President.
Cadence Magazine calls
John Fremgen “…an adroit craftsman on the strings slapping and popping away on electric or plucking resonant tones on acoustic.” In addition to Salúd, he can be seen performing in Austin with various artists including Mitch Watkins, Kirk Covington, Sarah Sharpe and others. He has performed with many jazz luminaries including Butch Miles, Peter Erskine, Shelly Berg, Rick Margitza, Leni Stern, Ernie Watts and Larry Koonse. He has also performs and tours with Christopher Cross and PJ Olsson. He is an associate professor at The University of Texas where he teaches jazz improvisation, jazz theory, jazz history, jazz bass and directs the AIME ensemble.