Scheila Gonzalez

Scheila Gonzalez (born August 5, 1971 in Los Angeles, California) is an American Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist and music educator.[1] She is best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments in the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra and with artists such as Dweezil Zappa, Alex Acuña, Ray Parker Jr. and many others. Formerly a full-time member of the Zappa Plays Zappa world tour,[2] since 2019 Gonzalez has been touring with Colin Hay as part of a revived and revamped Men at Work lineup, where she sings and plays the alto saxophone as well as several other instruments.

Scheila Gonzalez
Gonzalez performing on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour
Gonzalez performing on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour
Background information
Born (1971-08-05) August 5, 1971
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Saxophone
  • vocals
  • keyboards
  • flute
Member of
Formerly of
Scheila Gonzalez in Aarhus, Denmark (2009)

Biography

Gonzalez took piano lessons from the age of four and changed to the saxophone at age twelve. After graduating from Anaheim High School in 1989, she attended Fullerton College in the early 1990s and recorded on the Downbeat critically acclaimed CD Mainstream. She later transferred to California State University, Northridge to complete her undergraduate degree in music. She sings and plays several woodwind instruments and keyboards.

Gonzalez is the Director of Jazz Combos at Santa Susana Performing Arts High School in Simi Valley, California, gives private lessons, and does freelance work in addition to her album, tour, and concert appearances. She was the co-founder of the jazz group Dekajaz which existed from 1999 - 2013.

Notable performances

From 2018 to the present, Gonzalez has played as a member of the backing band for Colin Hay. In 2019, Hay revived the Men at Work name and Gonzalez has continued to perform under that moniker ever since. Numerous reviews of the band's recent performances highlight her saxophone play on many of Hay's and Men at Work's signature hit songs.[3]

Gonzalez also performed on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour with Dweezil Zappa, beginning with its 2006 inception. She received praise in the media for her instrumental performance and skill during those tours.[4][5] The show toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

Gonzalez has appeared on television shows such as The Tonight Show backing Garth Brooks and at the BET Music Awards. Scheila Gonzalez has also done film work, appearing in the Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration.

Awards

Gonzalez won the Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent Award, a prestigious jazz music recognition awarded in the Los Angeles area. As a member of the Zappa Plays Zappa ensemble, Gonzalez won a 2009 Best Rock Instrumental Performance Grammy Award for the group's recording of "Peaches en Regalia".[1]

References
  1. D'Andrea, Niki (2009-02-24). "Zappa Plays Zappa Stays True to Frank's Vision". Phoenix New Times. Phoenix, Arizona. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  2. "The Players". Zappa Plays Zappa. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
  3. Buedel, Conrad (2019-05-18). "From Down Under, Colin Hay reaches new heights in Tahoe". Tahoe Onstage. Stateline, Nevada. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  4. Fountain, Leigh Buckley (2007-11-10). "Magical music of F. Zappa rocks again - Leading a crack band, son Dweezil shows songs' power". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond, Virginia. p. B-4.
  5. Glasgow, Greg (2006-10-20). "Zappa tribute band celebrates prog rock icon - Guitar legend's son puts together next best thing". The Daily Camera. Boulder, Colorado. p. C04.
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