Adrian G. Ruiz: Trumpeter, Educator

Attention, San Antonio Familia!

The 61st Annual Fiesta Jazz Festival, a St. Mary's University staple since the 1960s, kicks off on Friday, April 26, beginning at 11:00 AM. In addition to the St. Mary’s Jazz Combo and Jazz Orchestra, we will have FOUR additional area colleges and universities on the performance bill for the University Invitational. The Fiesta World Class Jazz Concert will feature the St. Mary’s Alumni Jazz Orchestra at 6:00 PM, followed by our Guest Artist, the Alyssa Allgood Quartet, at 7:15 PM.

Start planning your visit! We have dining options available throughout the day at the St. Mary's University Diamondback Cafe, Subway, and Chick-fil-A, and a cash bar becomes available at the Gold & Blue Note Jazz Club (University Center, Conference Room A) from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Admission to the Fiesta Jazz Festival is FREE and open to the public. See you on Friday, April 26!

The Fiesta Jazz Band Festival attracts junior and senior high school jazz ensembles from Texas and neighboring states. Participants perform for criticism before a panel of renowned jazz clinicians. Trophies and awards are given for outstanding performances in various categories.

The Gil Del Bosque Quintet

Gil Del Bosque - saxophone, EWI

Adrian Ruiz - trumpet, flugelhorn

Dan Redner - piano

James Suter - bass

Aaron Parks - drums

Gil Del Bosque is originally from Brownsville, Texas. He picked up the saxophone in beginner band at the age of 12 and after high school, relocated in 1996 to study classical saxophone with Don Lefevre at West Texas A&M . Gil then continued studying at the University of North Texas, where he studied classical and jazz saxophone with Andrew Dahlke, Jim Riggs, Tom Luer and Mario Cruz. After graduating from UNT, he began working for Carnival Cruise ships out of Miami, Long Beach, and Puerto Rico. Also worked Cunard cruise ships out of Southampton, England on the Queen Elizabeth. While working on ships, Gil honed his reading skills on all woodwinds by backing up a different act every night with little to no rehearsal.

After being at sea for five years, Gil returned to school and pursued graduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, with a Masters in Jazz Performance. While in Austin, he shared the stage with Chris Potter, Herbie Hancock drummer, Mike Clarke, famed country singer, Lyle Lovett, Latin salsa singer, Olga Tanon, Boyz II Men, Debbie Boone, Aaron Neville and Huey Lewis and the News. While in Austin, he also had the opportunity to study with John Mills, Harvey Pittel, Bob Shepard, and Joel Frahm.

Gil currently resides in Austin, Texas, and has a full schedule divided between a studio of over forty private lesson students on clarinet and saxophone, and a busy performing schedule. He performs with his own jazz quartet as a featured performer at Austin venues, such as The Elephant Room, Parker’s Jazz Club, and Monk’s Jazz. Additionally, he also performs currently with the Austin Jazz Workshop and is the Youth Jam Director with the AJW.

Gil has been featured as a sideman on trumpeter Adrian Ruiz’s debut album, “Premiere: A Collection of Originals” as well as with Pete Rodriguez, Rudy Royston and Ricky Rodriguez on the 2017 release, “The Wink of a Coward.”

Gil released a collection of originals with his quartet in 2017 titled, “Here With You” which featured late mentor, guitarist, composer, and educator, Armando Nunez Portillo on guitar. Available on all streaming platforms.