Ruben Gutierrez, M.M.,
Commercial Music |  | rgutier@utep.edu
Office: FFA M234
Office Phone: (915) 747-7824 |
Ruben Gutierrez received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance in 1992 and his Master of Music degree in Theory and Composition in 1994. He studied piano with Dr. Neil Stannard, composition with Dr. Joseph Packales and jazz improvisation with Mr. Curt Warren.
Mr. Gutierrez joined the music faculty of the University of Texas at El Paso in 1995 as director of Commercial Music, Composition and Music Technology. In addition to teaching students traditional and contemporary traits of music theory and composition, he teaches students on equipment used in commercial music (analog and digital audio recording formats, MIDI keyboards, controllers and tone modules, computer sequencing and notation, computer software and hardware).
He has taught varying levels of music theory courses, composition, sight singing and jazz piano and has also directed the University Jazz Singers and Jazz to Rock courses in his tenure at UTEP.
Mr. Gutierrez's professional career includes several levels of music production in El Paso recording studios and studios in Los Angeles, Chicago and Mexico City. He is a MIDI keyboard and tone module consultant and has performed, recorded and transcribed music for the Telarc International recording label. He has done production, sequencing, transcription, and performance/recording for local and regional companies including Miss Texas USA, Pepsi Cola, El Paso Natural Gas, Women's Missionary Union in Birmingham Alabama, public school districts (EPISD, SISD, YISD) the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and the El Paso Brass Quintet. He also served for two years on the board of directors of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 466.
Active as a performer and educator, Mr. Gutierrez currently performs in area venues, Mexico, and areas in the United States with his latin jazz quartet, and also performs as a side man for groups to include The Desperados of Las Cruces (Three recordings; Grammy award best western swing album 2004). Ben Martinez Project (NMEA best album and live performance winner, 2005-6).
In order to promote his efforts in commercial music, music technology and jazz piano as part of the UTEP music faculty, Mr. Gutierrez released a collection of his works in a C.D. entitled "Beveled Facets" with the Shade Records recording label featuring his Latin/Jazz piano style. The C.D. is being distributed nationally through Bayside Distribution and is available at Tower Records, Best Buy and Barnes and Noble stores all over the United States. He recently returned from a West Coast tour, lecturing on latin jazz piano styles at University of Arizona in Tucson, latin jazz history at Embry Riddle Academy and numerous radio interviews and performances, including the famed Los Angeles jazz club "The Baked Potato." An East Coast performance/lecture series is being scheduled for the spring semester. |
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