Insiders' Music Spotlight: Israel Chávez Domínguez

By Felecia Ford

Drummers…without them we’d be somewhat lost as they are the time keepers and the driving force behind much of the music we all love. Our Music Spotlight this month is on drummer/violinist, Israel Chávez Domínguez. He was born in San Miguel into a very large family.  He said “our family is so big that I still meet cousins I’ve never met.”

FF: Thank you for this interview Israel. When did you first realize that you were a musician?

ICD: Around age 9. My uncle sang and his band kept their instruments in our basement. It was convenient for me to play guitar, keys, bass and drums but I loved the drums most. I realized I was able to play along to songs and I just fell in love with the drums.

FF: Any mentors?

ICD: Yes, my violin teacher José Luis Hernández.  Another teacher who had a big impact on me is Sergei Sokolov.  He taught me drums at music school.

FF: Where did you go to music school?

ICD: I received my music degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro in Bellas Artes.

FF: What have you learned as a pro musician that they didn’t teach you in school?

ICD: I learned right away that I did not know anything! Other than reading music and knowing theory, there are many different skills that schools don’t teach, like playing different styles of music, improvising, being on time to your job and learning how to be a "pro."

FF: What is it like trying to make a living playing music to support your family in San Miguel?

ICD: San Miguel is one of the best places to be a musician but it’s always been hard; arts in general and worldwide are underpaid and it’s hard to make a living.

FF: Besides playing shows aren’t you also a maestro?

ICD: I never liked the term "maestro" because I feel far from being one. I feel that I’m more of a guide that helps you reach your goals in music.

FF: Where do you teach?

ICD: I taught violin at Waldorf schools like Yemayá and Árbol de Vida. I worked for Pro Musica in their strings program for kids at the 5 de Mayo public school. We won first place at the Periódico El Correo contest for public schools with music programs in the state of Guanajuato.

FF: What tips do you have for someone that wants to be a drummer but doesn’t have drums?

ICD: Use what you have on hand. I have used pans, bottles, sticks, door bells, and cases. Casa de la Cultura or Centro Las Cuevitas both have classes for a low cost.

FF: What are the projects you are working on now?  I heard you just played a show with Carlos Santana’s drummer Michael Shreive.

ICD: Yeah, that was really cool I was the percussionist.  Also,  I finished a live recording at Teatro Ángela Peralta with Sotol Sónico, my friend Sergio Carrillo’s project. His songs are not easy to play but I think it came out great. There’s a video of that concert coming out soon on social media.

FF: He’s a brilliant bass player and composer and the band is phenomenal.

ICD: Thanks amiga, another project is "This is Entropy." We finished a live recording recently, at Teatro Santa Ana and you can see that on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

FF: Any plans to tour with either of those bands?

ICD: Entropy will tour in Xalapa Veracruz in late August. I really miss touring México and abroad.  I’m hoping to accomplish that next year. That, and finishing my music studio and home.

FF: Before you go, any more guidance nuggets for us musicians?

ICD: Never stop learning.  There is always a chance to learn from all kinds of music, from every musician with every skill, level, and background.

FF: Guide and be guided. You rock, Israel!