About me

          Jose B. Sanchez is a vibrant trumpet player in the San Francisco South Bay Area with experience in Orchestra, Jazz, Marching, Mariachi, Cumbia, Latin Rock, Reggae, and Musical Theater. Originally born and raised in Sacramento, CA,  José moved to the Bay Area in 2013 to study classical trumpet performance at San Jose State University first under Dr. Kathryn Adduci and then with John Freeman. Later in his academic career, he studied music education with Dr. Diana Hollinger and vocal performance with Operachi Songstress and International Latin Artist,  Dr. Juanita Ulloa. Today, José can be found singing and playing trumpet in a variety of venues with bands such as: La Explosiva Sonora MX (Cumbia); The Rumba Madre (Punk-Flamenco Fusion); Children’s Musical Theater San Jose; Sunnyvale Players Theater; Berkeley Playhouse; Mariachi Tierra de Oro; Chabot Wind Symphony; and his very own group, Chile y Sol (Latin Rock/Reggae). 

          José has taught in a variety of classrooms and programs throughout the South Bay Area. In 2017, he taught with the San Jose Youth Symphony as a summer camp counselor and was invited to perform in their tour of Europe as a ringer. He was the trumpet coach at William Hopkins Jr.  High School, assisting Mr. Greggory Conway with the Advanced Elementary Band. In 2018, he was hired as a long term substitute music director for Thomas Russell Middle School where he taught five periods of band, orchestra, and choir. Not only has José worked in the public schools, but also as a teaching artist with non-profit organizations such as: the San Jose Jazz Progressions; Mariachi En Mi Barrio (Gilroy); Audacity Performing Arts Project (Hollister); Mu Phi Epsilon; California Music Educators Association; and Mariachi Oroazul de San Jose State University as their founding director (2018). He is concurrently teaching group piano/guitar classes and private trumpet lessons at Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music in Milpitas, CA. 

          His diversity in musical genres and in different classroom settings is part of what makes Mr. Sanchez’s teaching style unique and energetic. He believes that life is more fun when the music is playing and dancing is infectious. This is why he makes a strong effort to share his enthusiasm with students of all ages and backgrounds by providing a safe and supporting environment for students to learn, create, play, perform, and enjoy music of all kinds. Afterall, students play a vital role in contributing to our communities and will further our cultures and legacies in the generations to come.