Oscar Ornelas

Safe to say, local multi-instrumentalist Oscar Ornelas is overqualified to make his studio recording debut. Born in San Angelo, Ornelas originally learned to play the piano at age 7 and saxophone at 12. Following his experience with gospel groups and school-based jazz bands, Ornelas began playing regularly at clubs around San Angelo before graduating high school. After spending his 20s refining his act through numerous festival and club performances in West Texas, Ornelas now lends his talents to the live music capital, where you can see him play three to seven times a week.

In addition to his role as founding member of the Longbranch Jazz Quintet, Ornelas provides tenor saxophone for The Eastside Blues Syndicate, Hector Ward and the Big Time, Sly Curtis and other local acts but his debut EP primarily showcases his passion for piano and vocals. Check out the lead single from Oscar Ornelas debut studio album, a blues kicker called, “Fine World” – and don’t worry – there’s still plenty of sax. - KUTX Austin

From the now-closed El Leon and Longbranch Inn to staples like Sahara Lounge and Skylark Lounge, Oscar Ornelas’ effortless blend of blues and jazz pay homage to the beloved sounds of east Austin’s past.
Ornelas moved to Austin in 2014 with his saxophone and his truck. He landed gigs immediately and played every night his first weekend in town. He played with east side legends like Harold McMillan and Matthew Robinson. He says those experiences opened doors to opportunities not all newcomers were offered.

“I’m grateful for [east Austin’s] music scene,” said Ornelas. “The blues and jazz artists [on the east side] kind of embraced me.” Since his arrival, Ornelas has made a name for himself as an established east side musician. He plays at The Skylark Lounge multiple times a month.

“From the minute you say, there’s no good music in Austin. It means you’re not looking hard enough.”

With such vigor and passion, it’s no surprise Ornelas comes from a musical family. His mother played trumpet, and his stepfather was a musician in the church band. Though he began playing music at a young age, he fell in love with the blues at eighteen. Focusing on the piano and the saxophone, Ornelas says he’s “played the blues ever since.”

Inspired by Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima, Ornelas is currently working on writing new music; his style parallels the blues and jazz elements heard in New Orleans. While his previous arrangements focused on “finding a good beat,” he hopes to include more of a message in his lyrics this time around.

“[Making music] takes time to build,” Ornelas explained, “but one area I’d like to expand [on] is original compositions.”

An active volunteer at the Chalmers Court Boys & Girls Club of Austin, Ornelas says he sees firsthand how the city’s changing landscape is affecting Austin’s youth—and the music they’re creating. Despite this, Ornelas has no plans to leave anytime soon. Instead, he urges those around him to “cultivate the community, cultivate your surroundings, build your city.”

Holding steady to his love for old-school jazz and blues, Ornelas is hopeful for east Austin’s music scene. “There’s a lot of original music being made,” said Ornelas, “and there’s definitely room [for it all].” - EASTside Magazine

Rockstar: Welcome to Rockstar Magazine Oscar . . tell about your band . . .

Oscar Ornelas:

I play with a rotating group of excellent musicians, and the band goes by various names, but we mostly stick to playing blues, funk, jazz, and soul.

Rockstar: Where are some of your favorite venues to play at in Austin?

Oscar Ornelas:

The Skylark Lounge is home to me, everyone is family to me there. I also had a great time doing a solo piano gig at the Scoot Inn. But I started out playing here in Austin at the Longbranch every Monday and Tuesday for a couple years. I played Dozen Street every Wednesday for awhile too. Now I play regularly at Antone's with Jabo and the Old Dogs. I also play the Saxon Pub with Hector Ward and the Big Time. And, I got married at Kenny Dorham's Backyard, so that venue holds a special place in my heart as well.

Rockstar: Introduce your members . . . .

Oscar Ornelas:

My core group who you'll typically see me out with are Joe Segovia (bass), Jonathon Matthews (guitar), Adam Berlin (drums), Steven Farmer (trumpet), and Matthew Brodnax (guitar). I play the saxophone and the piano; and on very special occasions, I'll bust out the flute.

Rockstar: 4 years ago most of these guys were jamming out at the Victory for Blue Monday.

Oscar Ornelas:

I think I finally got to town about a week after Harold McMillian moved Blue Monday to the Longbranch. Harold, Jose Ruiz, Matthew Robinson, and all those guys have been like my musical godfathers; all of them have taught me so much — about music, about how to share a stage, the importance of the history of the music I'm playing, being a decent person...all of it.

Rockstar: Tell me about this EP you guys are working on. When does this release?

Oscar Ornelas:

It's my first EP! Five original songs I wrote a few years ago, produced by Adrian Quesada at Level One Studio in Austin. It explores who I was when I wrote those songs, but also touches on who I am today. There's a lot of blues in there, but I try to stay true to my love for jams and improv. Our release party will be July 28, at the Skylark.

Rockstar: Name some of your influences Oscar?

Oscar Ornelas:

My earliest influences were Louie Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, and basically all jazz music from every era. When I began playing saxophone, I discovered John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Illinois Jacquet, and Sonny Stitt. As a teen, I discovered the Grateful Dead, Hendrix, Tower of Power, Chicago, and Pink Floyd. As a piano player, I listen to classical piano, swamp piano, all styles of jazz piano.

Rockstar: Do you still play home in San Angelo when you can?

Oscar Ornelas:

I try; I get so busy here in town that it can be hard to get back. I really miss playing at and running the kitchen for Sealy Flats. It was my taste of Austin before I ever got here because we had so many great acts come through. Hosea Hargrove, Lavelle White, Carolyn Wonderland, and Tommy Castro just to name a few.

Rockstar: Keep jamming out guys, any shout outs to Austin TX?

Tell us where we can hear you in August?

Oscar Ornelas:

Shout out to my beautiful wife and wonderful mother-in-law! Also to all the kids I work with at the Boys and Girls Club and Grounded in Music. If there's anything I've learned living in Austin, it's how important it is to give back to the community, and to support our kids as they learn and grow.

And I'll be all over Austin for my upcoming gigs: Skylark Aug.12, 7:30-9:30 and I'll be playing with Sly Curtis, which is a Sly Stone/Curtis Mayfield Tribute band, on Aug. 19th at Threadgill's. I'm also a judge for this year's Austin Blues Society competition, that's always a great event, with some of the most talented musicians in our city.

I keep my calendar updated on www.oscarornelas.com, so check the listing there for future shows. - Rockstar Magazine Austin

Your humble Austin Music Minute has been told time and again: Head on out to Skylark Lounge for an awesome blues, soul and funk fix when you get the chance. And tonight is one of those nights. Today’s Love Austin Music AMM puts the spotlight on an artist who’s frequent presence there contributes largely to the good times and great jams, the mighty Oscar Ornelas.

Ornelas, originally from San Angelo, has been performing since the age of 7, and cut his chops playing all over West Texas in his ’20s before relocating to the Live Music Capital, where he’s laying out the grooves seven nights a week at various local hot spots. Tonight, he leads the Oscar Ornelas Orquestra Dance Party at Skylark, 2039 Airport Blvd. The music starts at 9 p.m. - KUTX Austin