A young man from Aurora has been inspired by jazz.
Gustavo Flores, 20, is a drummer and percussionist who goes by the stage name Tiwa Bleu. He will be with his band Celestial Treaty at 8 p.m. May 25 at The Venue in Aurora. It’s the band’s second time playing at The Venue.
“I say I bring a lot of inspiration from spiritual jazz, people like Pharoah Sanders and Sun Ra ,” he said. “I have my own personality to it. I have a very Afro-Latin approach to the way I approach spiritual jazz.”
The Celestial Treaty started off as a six-piece and has blossomed into a 14-piece, he said. In addition to Flores on drums, you’ll see two vocalists, an alto and a tenor saxophone, flute, trombone, trumpet, guitar, bass, cello, two keyboard players and a percussionist.
“The things I’m able to do with that many people … it’s definitely been a privilege being able to have that many musicians to work with,” he said. “In terms of the music, it’s very rich in textures.
“Sometimes the horn players put their horns down and pick up drums and maracas and shakers. It’s very much a free (atmosphere.) it’s a nice variety of voices and textures. There’s monumental talent in this ensemble.”
He also enjoys making his shows more than just an audible experience, he said.
“I tend to dress the stage with palm trees, I have about five different palm trees I bring around with me,” he said. “If there’s a projector, I’ll use it. Most of my shows call for trips to the venue. I’m also the stylist for all the members. Expect a lot of bright colors, earth tones, cool jewelry.”
In addition to Sun Ra, Flores has been inspired by the works of Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter and Cal Tjader; alongside composers from 1970s Italian film soundtracks, he said, such as Piero Piccioni, Piero Umilliani, Alessandro Alessandroni and Nora Orlandi.
Venue audience will hear arrangements of songs like “The Creator Has a Master Plan” by Sanders, a rendition of “Piece of Mind” by Idris Muhammad and “Askim” by Kamasi Washington.
A graduate of East Aurora High School, Flores briefly attended NIU and plans to attend North Central College to study percussion. Many of his bandmates are also NCC students.
He started playing drums when he was about 10 years old, playing throughout elementary, middle school and high school. It was in high school that he joined the school jazz ensemble and discovered the art form.
“It didn’t take long for me to appreciate it, which is kind of odd because I didn’t listen to a genre close to jazz,” he said. “When it really clicked was the Purdue Jazz Fest in 2018. When I saw the Purdue Jazz Ensemble play, I really understood the art behind it, in that moment.”
He hopes people put aside any prejudices they have about jazz — too boring, too old — and take a chance on the show.
“I feel like jazz is mostly done the right way. I feel people mostly enjoy the experience of jazz involving more than once sense,” he said. “Being at a jazz club, sipping on a cocktail — I feel like people should take a chance because I’ll provide that experience that people have been fantasizing about.”
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Tiwa Bleu and the Celestial Treaty
When: 8 p.m. May 25
Where: The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora
Tickets: $10-$15
Information: 331-212-8490; themusicvenue.org
