Along for the Ride Variety Band from Long Beach, CA

Along for the Ride is a group of musicians from Mexico and the United States, who despite their diverse background, have a shared interest in Jazz and other genres derive from it, such as Bossa Nova (aka Brazilian Jazz), and Latin Jazz. More than a band, Along for the Ride is a community of musicians where its members compose original music and make arrangements to standard tunes. The instruments they play are varied: guitar, piano, flute, sax (alto and soprano), bass, drums, percussions, and two or three female voices. Along for the Ride can perform as a full 8-piece band, or as a trio, quartet, quintet, etc. The possible configurations are endless: a trio, might have a guitar or piano, plus flute, saxophone, or voice, and drums or percussions. Add a bass for a quartet, and one or two voices for a quintet or sextet. Along for the Ride has performed at big scale local festivals, such as the Hollywood Forever Cemetery Day of the Dead Celebration, and the Festival Agostino. It has also participated in smaller festivals, like the Long Beachs One City Event, and the Long Beach City Colleges Annual Music Festival. The band has also performed in different parks through the Los Angeles County summer events, in clubs, like the Safari Sam, the Seabird Jazz Lounge, and the Cat Man Blue, and in private receptions for USC, UCLA and Caltech. Under the name of Sin Mura-Jazz, in 2007, Along for the Ride began a series of summer house concerts that later developed into a monthly event, called Quesadi-Jazz, which is now part of the international house concerts organization. Concerts in your Home Along for the Ride is also listed on the Musician Roster of the LA County Arts Commission