teachers
antonio Montañez
Antonio Montañez - Born and raised in south-east Fresno, CA. He is an alumnus of Roosevelt School of The Arts and CSU Fresno. Antonio completed his undergraduate degree in Jazz Performance at CSU Fresno and studied with the late great Brian Hamada. In 2022 , Montañez released a self produced EP titled “Lowe Ave.” Antonio goes under the pseudonym Fats LaBell in this psychedelic-soul project.
Antonio is the drummer for Portland, OR based band Y La Bamba. Y La Bamba has released its sixth studio album “Lucha” on Tender Loving Empire Records, Y La Bamba has toured this year and will tour early 2024 in support of “Lucha”. Montañez drumming style can be credited to some of his favorite drummers including John Bonham, Brian Hamada, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Bill Ward, Santiago Montanez, Ari Hoenig, Zigaboo Modeliste, Mitch Mitchell, J-Dilla and Jon Theodore.
Brian bakalian
Brian Bakalian - Born and rasied in the foothills of Auberry, CA. He has earned his road legs with bay area rock band The Stone Foxes. Brian has been touring this year with The Stone Foxes in support of their sixth studio album “On The Other Side”. Bakalian has a very musical sense for drumming and songwriting. In 2021 Brian assembled a collective of seasoned Central Valley musicians to form psychedelic rock group Sun Umbra. He is the primary songwriter and producer of the group. Sun Umbra released its debut self-titled Album in 2022 on Wet Records. Brian’s drumming style can be credited to some of his favorite drummers including Jim Keltner, Phil Selway, Frank Lenz, Homer Steinweiss, Elvin Jones, Mark Guiliana, Patrick Keeler, Charlie Watts, Ringo Star, Bernard Purdie, Jabo Starks, Glenn Kotche, Questlove, Antonio Montañez, Ian Blesse, Nino Moschella, John Bonham, Jon Theodore, Paul English, Hal Blaine, Clyde Stubblefield, Levon Helm, Mitch Mitchell, Buddy Miles, Jimmy Chamberlin.