Musician Trumpets His a la Miles Style

Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Freddie Hubbard--these are some of the great jazz trumpeters who have left their mark on Sal Marquez. And then there’s Miles Davis.

“While I love all those other guys, Miles is my primary influence,” said trumpeter Marquez, a fine mainstream artist who has played and recorded with giants such as Woody Herman, Buddy Rich and Frank Zappa. “He went against the grain of playing technically. He utilized space. He’d pick out a note and hang on to it. His sound was so amazing and still is.”

Marquez has a lovely sound, too, round and warm. In some ways, it’s similar to his idol’s. Like Davis, he uses the Harmon mute to give his tone a dusky glow. And while the 55-year-old Mar Vista resident once strongly emulated Davis, he now has his own style built on a keen melodicism and a crackling rhythm.

Marquez will perform with his band Saturday at Rocco in Bel-Air. As is his wont, the trumpeter will offer several tunes associated with Davis, some of which he recorded on his 1993 CD, “One for Dewey.”

Originally a classical trumpet student, Marquez became aware of jazz as a teenager in Texas. The El Paso native really never looked back, and has appeared on numerous albums and film soundtracks, including “The Fabulous Baker Boys.”

“I make my living playing mostly jazz,” he said. “Music is a long journey, a never-ending process.”

BE THERE

Sal Marquez and his band play Saturday, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Rocco, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air. No cover charge. Call (310) 475-9807.

Zan Stewart writes about jazz for the Valley Edition. He can be reached at [email protected].