DOWNEY - It seems as though 24-year-old Fabian Chavez has had some kind of instrument in his hand for practically his entire life.

“I started playing drums when I was 2, I remember,” said Chavez. “I picked up Latin Percussion – congas, like that – at 8 or 9 or 10 or something like that.”

Chavez’s family has an established history in music.

“Growing up there was always a drum set and piano, guitars and basses always set up, because they’d rehearse at our house and stuff,” said Chavez.

While surrounded by music, Chavez admits he doesn’t recall making a conscious decision to play the drums.
“It just kind of was what it was,” said Chavez.

At the age of 12 and upon entering Griffiths Middle School, Chavez joined the band under the tutelage of Laura Taylor.

However, Taylor only allows for a certain number of percussionists per band, and unfortunately for Chavez he was not going to be in that number.

While playing with the Indians, Chavez would have to – momentarily – leave the drums behind.

“When he came in here to band, in beginning band he wanted to play percussion,” said Taylor. “I said ‘no, I already have my percussion players’ because I usually only have five per class. ‘No, pick another instrument.’ That’s when he chose the alto sax and that started him off on the alto sax and stuff.”

Chavez says he mainly chose the saxophone because of famous saxophonist Kenny G.

“I think it’s a bad reason,” laughed Chavez.

Being forced to adapt to a new instrument didn’t seem to slow him down much though, however.

Taylor believes Chavez is destined for great things.

“Fabian was probably your once-in-a-lifetime student,” said Taylor. “Fabian is probably the one that will make it big one day.”

Taylor also says that Chavez blossomed once he moved on to Warren.

During his time as a Bear, Chavez played in several ensembles including marching band, concert, and jazz, utilizing his talents both with his saxophone and behind his drum set.

Warren Band Director David Niemeyer described Fabian as “super talented and incredibly humble.”

“He was a joy to have in the Warren band program and it is amazing to see him out making a living in the music business,” said Niemeyer. “He will for sure be another jewel of Downey. I have no doubt he will grow to be a big part of the music industry.”

After graduating in 2011, Chavez went on to California State University Northridge, where he got his degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz.

He graduated in 2015.

Fabian holds an impressive roster of instruments that he can play, including all saxophones, percussion, guitar, bass, piano, flute and clarinet.

Those abilities have led Chavez to opportunities to record and perform with several notable acts in various venues, including a recent stint touring with indie pop band Saint Motel as a substitute saxophonist.

Chavez has also recently released his first ever single, called Tranemanya.

“It’s like a super straight-ahead Jazz tune, kind of a little tribute to John Coltrane,” said Chavez. “The single is the first take we did; we just went for it. It was like ‘damn, that was pretty cool.’

I had it kept away for a long time, and I was very self-conscious about it…half the battle, I think, of being an artist is being so critical on yourself…you’re put into a vulnerable position where you put everything into that and it has the potential of people not liking it or being like, ‘that’s whack’ or whatever.”

Chavez now aims for 2018 to be a productive year alongside his production team, called Darknote Collective.

“2017 we hustled; we were constantly in the studio doing stuff and writing for people,” said Chavez. “Me and my buddy called it ‘the year of preparation,’ 2018 is the ‘year of manifestation.’ So, we’re trying man.”

Tranemanya can be found on digital platforms such as Apple Music, Tidal, Google and Spotify.

Lifetime of music leads to Downey resident's first single