Gurkestra Lotería Project

Lotería is a Mexican card game that is played like bingo but with images instead of numbers. The Gurkestra Lotería Project presents original compositions inspired by the iconic lotería images by drawing on rhythms from around Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Gurkestra is: Charlie Gurke - saxophone and compositions; Josh Jones - drums; Patrick Morehead - keys, with special guests: Anthony Blea - violin and Camilo Landau - guitar

Charlie Gurke is a Bay Area based saxophonist, composer, and educator. In addition to leading various incarnations of his Gurkestra, Charlie is a member of the John Santos Sextet, The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Edgardo Cambon’s groups Candela and Latido. An active freelancer, Charlie regularly performs and records with collaborators in a variety of genres. Recent performances of note include the 2018 and 2019 Monterey Jazz Festivals (with John Santos and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, respectively), and the 2019 Montreux Jazz Festival (with the Grammy winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra).

Charlie is currently on the faculty at Laney Community college in Oakland where he leads the Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combos, and teaches music theory. Charlie is also part of the faculty of the Community Music Center in San Francisco, where he teaches Jazz Ensembles and is part of the faculty for the Mission District Young Musician’s Program.

A native of the Bay Area, Charlie attended the San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA), where he studied with Wayne Wallace and Melecio Magdaluyo, among others. After high school Charlie moved to New York and attended the New School's Jazz and Contemporary Music program, studying with legendary saxophonists Billy Harper and George Garzone. Charlie holds a bachelor's degree in music with an emphasis on composition from California State University East Bay (aka Cal State Hayward), and a master's degree in jazz studies from the University of Oregon.

Drummer & Percussionist Josh Jones is recognized internationally from his touring and recording with such Jazz greats as Don Cherry, Steve Coleman, Omar Sosa, Yosvany Terry, and Jacqui Naylor. His recent recording projects include “Then and Now” with Blue Note recording artist Benny Green, as well as a project with Cuban royalty Chuchito Valdes. Josh continues to perform with his various ensembles at clubs and festivals in the Bay Area and remains a major influence on the jazz community not only as a performer, but as a highly respected educator. 

Patrick Morehead has recorded with a wide spectrum of musicians ranging from the soulful, jazz vocalist Gail Dobson to multi-Grammy recording artist Karl Perazzo (Carlos Santana band) to folk artist Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). He performed with top artists such as Sheila E, Steve Turre, Jerry Gonzalez, Louis Romero, Orestes Vilato, Bobby Allende, Johnny Rivera, Poncho Sanchez, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Santos, Bobi Cespedes and Benny Velarde (Cal Tjader).

Anthony Blea played and recorded with Artists Israel Lopez “Cachao”, Ray Charles, S.F. Opera Orchestra, John Santos Ensemble, Jazz Mafia, Anthony Blea y su Charanga, Charanga 76, Orquesta Broadway and many more. Anthony also is a professor of Music at the San Francisco City College where he teaches Orchestra, Violin and Community Choir.

Camilo "con su estilo" Landau lives in Oakland and plays with The Cuban Cowboys, LaTiDo, AguaLibre, Carne Cruda, La Mixta Criolla, Dave and the Diamonds, The Los Shoegazers, and more. He has performed or recorded with Susana Baca, Omar Sosa, Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band, Quetzal, Ozomatli, Los Lobos, Batista, Sambada, Los Mocosos, Fito Reynoso, Arturo Ortega, Santero, Los Compas, The Ska Messengers, Medusa, Edgardo y Candela, Bobi Cespedes, Maldita Vecindad, John Santos, Vission Latina, Los Cojolites, Kepa Junkera, Domingo Siete, Jesus Diaz, Francisco Herrera, Azabache, Nina Serrano, Pamela Rodriguez, Burning Star, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, John Santos (on a Grammy®-nominated CD) and many more.

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