Point of Jazz Jam Session: Ft. Alex Lopez

Name: Point of Jazz Jam Session: Ft. Alex Lopez
Start: 2024-11-14T19:30:00-06:00
Location: 1004 S Olde Oneida St, Appleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54915

Schedule

Thu Nov 14 2024 at 07:30 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

1004 S Olde Oneida St, Appleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54915 | Appleton, WI

Doors 5pm - Music 7:30pm - $5-$10 Suggested Donation
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Alex Lopez, a tenor saxophonist from central Wisconsin, has always followed the sound and story of his music. Growing up surrounded by classical tunes and Broadway musicals, Lopez’s world changed when he discovered jazz, inspired by Vince Guaraldi’s *Peanuts* specials and Sonny Rollins’ *Saxophone Colossus*. With a musical path as adventurous as his life, he studied at the New England Conservatory under Jerry Bergonzi, completed his degree at the University of Miami, and earned a graduate degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He’s traveled widely, performing on cruise lines, teaching saxophone in Nevada, and eventually moving to New York to dive deeper into his passion for jazz and composition.
Lopez's debut album, *We Can Take This Boat*, is a heartfelt song cycle that reflects on a personal journey through heartbreak and healing, influenced by his love for narrative and melody. Composed of eight original tracks, the album captures the stages of a relationship and its end, each song a snapshot of his emotions and reflections. From the defiant opener “Rejected” to the pensive “End of a Dream,” Lopez’s compositions are raw and relatable, embodying the universal themes of love and resilience. In addition to performing his own work, Lopez also co-leads Fighting in the Streets, a quintet dedicated to reimagining video game music with a jazz twist, staying true to his belief in the importance of performing new and original material.
The Point of Jazz is a jazz collective led by recent graduates of the music department at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Every Thursday the group plays at Stone Arch Brewpub in Appleton Wisconsin from 7:30-9:30PM. They play a one hour set featuring that week’s guest artist, then open the stage for community members to join in on their respective instruments.