Garage Work Never Sounded so Good
It’s one of the longest-running musical acts in San Joaquin County, featuring several accomplished current and retired musicians. Yet they play not for the public, but instead for themselves because what they play brings so much enjoyment.
It’s called the Stockton Garage Big Band. Self-taught drummer Mike Esau started the band 20 years ago and still directs the 17 piece group every Tuesday, literally in his garage.
“I didn’t organize this band to go look for paying gigs. I wanted a place where musicians could do maintenance because music is a perishable thing,” said Mike. “If you don’t read all the time you start to lose the ability to read music. If you’re a horn player and you don’t maintain your lip, you lose your ability to play.”
Mike’s musical path certainly took an unusual route. While his friends in the 50s and 60s embraced rock and roll, Mike heard big band jazz and was hooked.
“I wanted to play jazz clarinet because as a kid, I loved Benny Goodman,” said Mike, who unfortunately didn’t have access to a clarinet. Family suitcases became a musical substitute. “I set up a drum set, using my parent’s wedding luggage, and beat them into shreds. As a kid playing to Goodman records, I wanted to swing. That’s what I was attracted to.”
For more than 40 years Mike worked at the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office (For 6, he was the face and voice of the department as public information officer). But in off-hours, he was busy nights and weekends turning that love for Benny Goodman and other big bands into his own musical project. Often with other staff members of the sheriff’s office, Mike would perform in groups of 3, 5 or even 10 — more than 100 times a year at weddings, fundraisers and company parties.
It was the desire for music to be less of an occupation and more satisfying, that led to the formation of the Stockton Garage (rehearsal) Big Band, still going strong, every Tuesday morning from 10 to noon.
“We used to play dances where someone would say can you play a tango? So we played the tango and they said, no that’s not right — You need to play an Argentine tango,” said Mike. “You have to please the customer, which is a certain kind of stress. That’s work. You get to the point where you want to have fun playing music, and play what musicians want to play.”
Retired music teacher Beth Sanders somehow finds time to be one of the 17 regulars. With the ability to play clarinet, saxophone, flute, bassoon and bass, she’s also a member of the Stockton Symphony, Valley Concert Band, Valley Community Orchestra, and a frequent member of the orchestra for musicals put on by Stockton Civic Theatre. It’s the joy and not the duty of playing music that keeps her Tuesday mornings busy.
“A lot of us play professionally, and a lot of us taught. We do the garage band because it’s fun to play. It’s a chance to play big band music with friends. And of course, we just like playing jazz,” said Beth.
More than a few of the Tuesday crew bring impressive resumes to the Benjamin Holt rehearsal space. Credits among band members include backing world-famous singers in Las Vegas, playing in the Disney World band in Florida, and traveling around the world in military bands.
A new emphasis for the group is taking rehearsals out of the garage and into local schools. Recently at Morada Middle School, Mike ran his group through about 90 minutes of big band tunes, stopping every now and then to work out rough spots, and joking afterwards about what sounded right and what needed more work. The Morada kids were fully engaged, asking questions after each song about the arrangements or instruments.
And to Mike’s relief, not one of them requested an Argentine tango.
Educational Outreach
Local music teachers interested in having the Stockton Garage Big Band play for students can reach Mike Esau at 209-472-1817, or on his Facebook page: Michael Esau.
I am always looking for new and exciting gigs to showcase musicians in our community who deserve recognition. Stay tuned!
Feel free to reach out: tim@dalyvideoservices.com.
