The rhythmic snap of a snare drum and the coordinated swell of a full horn section transformed The Garrison on March 25, as the Border Jazz Orchestra hosted its latest “Big Band Night.”
The event, which drew a crowd of residents and jazz enthusiasts, served as a showcase for the ensemble’s mission to preserve mid-century music within the modern El Paso arts and culture scene.
Pancho Romero, the director of the orchestra, noted that the energy of the night stems from the experience of the musicians.
“Every time we pick up an instrument, most of these people have played for over decades and they’re used to entertaining big crowds,” Romero said. “It’s the preparedness of the group and the quality of music that you’ll hear.”
For attendees, the evening provided a rare opportunity to hear a specific “wall of sound” unique to the big band era. Unlike smaller jazz combos, the sheer volume of the ensemble created an immersive environment that began the moment the first set kicked in.
Among the crowd were those experiencing the genre live for the first time, including Matthew Beason, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
“It was amazing,” Beason said. “It make[s] me feel like I’m in an older movie, like it just takes me back, kind of transporting.“
While the performance attracted newcomers, the event has attracted regulars who view these performances as a cornerstone of their personal lives. For Mike and Janet Luna, an implementation consultant and crisis specialist, the venue provides a unique
social outlet.
“It’s fun and different to do for a date night,” Mike Luna said.
The music also acted as a physical catalyst, clearing space near the stage for movement. Nicky Bernal, a director of supply chain for Blue Origin Aerospace, described the atmosphere as “exuberant.”
“The open-air space and the amount of pieces of the band that are here, it just creates energy,” Bernal said.
The collaboration between local venues and ensembles like the Border Jazz Orchestra reflects a broadening of the city’s entertainment landscape.
Candice Reyes, founder and director of the Jazz Exchange, emphasized that choosing locally owned venues like The Garrison is part of their mission.
“These [locations] are super important,” Reyes said. “We also have to make sure that the venue is aligned with supporting live music. If we have that and we have a space that’s welcoming, then it just creates such a great community.”
This sense of familiarity is felt in the band as well. Jesus Portillo, a trombone player and music educator at Horizon Middle and High School, described the connection between the band and the audience as a shared language.
“I love it because it just means that they’re listening,” Portillo said. “We’re having a moment that we’re sharing where no words are exchanged. Everybody’s in the know and we’re all queued into the same thing.”
For original members like Roman Chip, who helped start the band in 1992, the current growth of the scene is a welcome shift.
“I think there’s more of an attraction to jazz music than there was in the past,” Chip said. “It’s growing, in the El Paso area.”
As the final notes of the performance echoed through the venue, the event reinforced the orchestra’s role in sustaining a genre that relies on both professional precision and public participation.
For Romero, the goal remains keeping the American art form alive for future generations.
“If we don’t continue to do this, our kids, our grandkids, and our great grandkids aren’t going to be able to enjoy this type of music,” Romero said. “There isn’t anything like listening to live music.”
Adrian Gonzalez Jr. is a staff reporter for The Prospector. He may be reached at [email protected]
