Listening to Bryan play sax or flute, alone or in a band is spellbinding; Bryan Savage is smooth jazz in La Cruz!
Michele and Bryan Savage bought a condo in La Cruz in 2010 and are pleased to be going into their 6th season here. Originally from the state of Missouri (Chillicothe, MO) and other than La Cruz, they have lived in either the Aspen, Colorado area or the Los Angeles area for the last 40 years.
They used to vacation in Cozumel but wanting a place they they could drive to that also had a warm ocean climate La Cruz fit them well. Bryan says “I wasn’t expecting such a vibrant music scene in La Cruz and Vallarta. I was planning to be off mostly in the winters here, and do all my gigs in the U.S. in the summers, but its turned out to be a busy place, musically!”
When I asked Bryan if music had always been his career I loved his story! “I’ve never really done anything else for a living. Except that when I was in grade school and high school, I worked in my Dad’s grocery store. It was so boring, I jumped at the chance in high school to start playing with bands; much more fun than stocking shelves! Growing up in a small town in Missouri, you aren’t raised with the idea that becoming a professional musician is even feasible. But throughout my college years, I continued to play in bands (but majored in business), and I just kept doing gigs full time after college, so eventually I figured out that this evidently was my profession!”
“I was always obsessed with playing in bands. Early on, as I mentioned, I didn’t think it was possible make it a career in the Midwest, so I moved to Aspen, CO in the mid-70’s, joined a band there called “Starwood” that had just gotten signed to a deal with Columbia Records, and the excitement of all the musical opportunities really started.”
Many of you heard Bryan play with the Banderas Bay Allstars, when asked how they met and began playing music together? “I sat in with Chas Eller and our bassist at the time, Tom Lillienthal, at the La Cruz restaurant Masala about 5 years ago. The audience reaction was really good, and it took off from there.”
What Bryan considers his specialty; “I try to keep both the sax and flute about equal as far as time I spend practicing, but most of my CD releases are about 60% sax and 40% flute, and that’s the same in my live shows.”
What he enjoys most about what he does? “The audiences, and there are some good ones all over, but this area, with all the vacationers, tends to have extra fun audiences.”
How did you choose the name of your band? “As far as the Allstars name goes, I think Chas Eller came up with that. My own band in the states is imaginatively called “The Bryan Savage Band”.
The music biz is good for Bryan. “Both summers in Colorado and winters here have been very busy. By the end of each season I’m ready to retire, but then after a Spring or Fall off-season, I’m ready to hit it again!”
What we really want to know! Where can we hear you this season? “This winter I’ll be at Oso’s in La Cruz again on Thursday evenings, starting on the U.S.Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26th. Hopefully a few Sunday afternoon pool parties at Los Arroyos Verdes in Bucerias; A Valentines Day special evening dinner show at Breakers at the beach in Bucerias. The Rise benefit at the Secrets Hotel in PV February 6th; and I’m sure, like every year, there will some nice surprise shows pop up.” We like surprises.
“Our audiences are many tourists, then, expats. Not too many Mexican locals are into smooth jazz; however the people that come from Mexico City and Guadalajara seem to be more into this type of music.”
Still learning new songs! I spend the off seasons working on adding things to the show. Usually there’s not enough time to add or change that much once a season starts.
What inspires you? “Michele’s and my favorite thing to do here is to walk on Destiladeras Beach. Its one of the more specific reasons that we bought our place here. We used to love walking on the beaches of Malibu, California when we lived in L.A., and Destiladeras looks a lot like the beach areas north of Malibu–only warmer and cheaper! I like swimming in the ocean, but have to be careful with some of the big waves. Michele loves whale watching.”
Do you cook? “Michele cooks; I just eat! Our favorite dish that she cooks here is Mahi Mahi and she adds grilled peppers and onions to it, which makes it really good.”
What do you see as the greatest change to La Cruz in recent years? “I’m sure most would agree that the addition and success of the Sunday Market has been huge for the town, second only to adding the Marina. We got here just when the Marina was finished, and in those days, they had mostly sailboats in the Marina. Now there’s a lot more power boats, which look impressive, but not as nice as having so many sailboats.”
If you could preserve something from earlier times in La Cruz what would it be? “I like the town square. It looks even better than when we first arrived because of the refurbishing.”
What one thing do you think people ‘about town’ don’t know about you? “Maybe that I’ve had this other life of playing with my U.S. band recording and touring, promoting my Smooth Jazz Cds across the U.S. Also that I played with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. One or more of the guys in the band have been vacationing here in La Cruz for a week each winter, staying at Real del Mar. They come out to my shows at Oso’s when here, and it’s always great to see them! I first met the band after moving to Aspen in the mid-70s. The band I was in at the time shared the same manager (Bill McEuen) with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Steve Martin. Our band did several U.S. tours with the Dirt Band, and over the years, I played on several of their records, including the hit tune “Fire in the Sky”. During that time, the Dirt Band recorded the track for Steve Martin’s hit single “King Tut”, and I did the sax solo and horn section tracks on the record. We all got gold records for that one.”
Tap here to hear Bryan play with Al Stewart.
If you had a magic wand, what would your wish for La Cruz de Huanacaxtle be 5 years from now and beyond? “I guess to not change too much!”
What is the one thing you’re most proud of in your life. “Probably the radio hits and airplay I was fortunate to have in the Smooth Jazz radio format under my own name in the U.S.”
Why would you recommend La Cruz to someone;
“Unique but very pleasant; it’s got a good combination of just enough to do without being overkill.”
Anything I’ve missed that you’d like to add? “I have a new website: www.BryanSavage.com. People can check the schedule page for upcoming shows as they are added, as well as read reviews of recent shows and CDs,and the usual bio stuff.”
Very interesting, well-written article about my CHS classmate. Glad you didn’t go into the grocery business, Bryan! :)
Bryan, my wife and another couple came to Osos on Thurday Feb 23. Had a phenomenal time. I said to my wife and friends, I grew up in Chillicothe with a Bryan Savage who was an excellent musician and a really nice guy and whose parents had this great grocery store. I wonder if this is that same guy. Pleasant surprise. Sad to hear you are leaving. We just bought a condo in Nuevo. Hope to buy your CDs. Love your music. Just another example of great CHS grads doing great things. Thanks, Bryan.