About Sax In The City

Henry, a Valley native, was raised in Mercedes, Texas and started his musical career at age eleven when he decided to play saxophone in the sixth grade. He continued on through high school and played with his first group, Rumor, which performed top forty hits. After high school graduation in 1986, Henry attended the University of Texas Pan American where he receive

d a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education, graduating Cum Laude. He later attended Texas A&M University in Kingsville and graduated with a Master of Music Degree in 1995.

Throughout his college years, Henry performed with various groups including the UTPA Jazz Ensemble and Night Train, a local rock and blues band. In the early 1990‘s, you could find Henry playing the blues every Sunday afternoon at Hot Spots in McAllen, TX

Throughout the years, Henry has also performed with other bands such as Bongo Bob and The Bobaloos, The Temptations, The Dean Canty Jazz Orchestra, as well as his own jazz group, Sax In The City. For over six years in the early 2000’s, you could find Henry performing jazz saxophone every Friday and Saturday night at The Cornerstone Grill in Edinburg, TX. These days, you’ll find Henry performing with various groups at different events in the Rio Grande Valley, TX area.

Currently, Henry lives in the upper valley where he enjoys being recently retired. Previously, he worked as an assistant band director, saxophone, Music Appreciation and AP Music Theory instructor at a local school district.

Pianist, James

James, a recently retired band director, is originally from Benavides, Texas but now resides in Edinburg,Texas. He began playing the piano at a young age and pursued his musical career while attending Texas A&M University in Kingsville where he received a Bachelor of Music degree.

James taught for thirty three years in several school districts including Falfurrias, La Joya, Weslaco and Edinburg CISD. James has performed with such local groups as Cris Sandoval, Beto Leal, Waley Almendarez, and La Orquesta Universal. James also toured with Nelson Ed from Brazil back in 1983. He has also performed with such internationally acclaimed acts as The Four Lads, The Four Aces, The Diamonds, The Platters, Peggy March, Miron Floren from The Lawrence Welk Show, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra,and comedian and impersonator Rich Little. Currently, James plays piano for Noe Pro and the Band, and also for the Dean Canty Orchestra, with which he has performed at the Texas Jazz Festival, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Also, he accompanies the Edinburg North High School choirs.

James has been happily married to his wife Rosie for over 40 years, and has three wonderful children, James II from Laredo, Jamie from San Antonio, TX. and Julian Patrick from Austin, TX.

Saxophonist, Henry

Imagine a world with no sax.....