Teacher's band takes off (10/09)

By Jessica Cheung

Oct. 23, 2009

A math teacher at school and his band are currently working on their new CD, to be released in January, 2010.

Math teacher Patrick Fahey’s seven-person band, called Simple Ensemble, is composed of Randy Craig on piano, Richard Saunders on bass, Jose Najera on percussion, Denvi on marimbas and percussion, Dave Rokeach on drums, Don V. Lax on violin and Fahey on mandolin. Although these band members have separate full-time jobs, they unite in friendship and fervor of music. “I’ve known these guys for over 20 years and I’m lucky to be playing beside them,” Fahey said.

The band plays many genres including samba, jazz, traditional, Brazilian and swing. Their influences come from Thelonious Monk, Jessica Williams, Mozart, Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Richard Bona and more, according to Fahey.

Simple Ensemble is a collection of experienced band members, all of whom have performed with famous musicians. Craig played piano for the jazz band at the San Francisco Mime Troupe in the 80s. Najera performed with Latin guitarist Carlos Santana. Rokeach toured with legendary Rhythm & Blues artist Ray Charles in the late 90s. Lax played in orchestras for luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald. Fahey, who has been performing music since he was 15-years-old, has appeared on KPFA radio, KUSF radio, KQED in San Francisco as well as WPFW radio in Washington D.C. “The sum total of experiences in this band equates to over two centuries,” Fahey said.

Fahey shares his passion for music with performances, ranging from a scheduled gigs at Golden Gate Park for the 40th anniversary of Woodstock to playing for the homeless during the holiday season at St. Martin de Porres, a church in the Mission district. Fahey explained he directed the music, organized and produced the annual shows at the church since 1986.

Fahey formed the band a year after he returned to San Francisco from war-torn Nicaragua in 1986. At the time, he suffered from PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder).

His old time political colleagues at St. Martin’s welcomed him and asked him to put together a band, since they needed a musician for that year’s holiday performance. “On a three-day notice I was recruiting the best homeless musicians in SF down near 5th and Market,” Fahey said. “It was a blast!” he said. Fahey built the original St. Martin's band completely from street musicians for the first three years. “There were some phenomenal levels of talent — some people who have gone on to become famous and get off the streets,” Fahey added.

Find more information about Simple Ensemble’s new CD, Trouble in Paradise, which is expected to be launched online in January 2010 through Myspace (www.myspace.com/papopayasoproductions). Those eager to witness the band can see them play alongside some Lowell student musicians, live at St. Martin on Potrero on Nov. 28.