inspired by the island that raised them
Zero Turbulence – inspired by the island that raised them
Zero Turbulence, Matteui Bastillada, Jax Thurston, Juju Strunk, Jamie Everitt
Key West is a special place for live music. We have 55 live music venues on this tiny island. We average over 360 live music performances weekly in Key West. Music permeates this island right down to the coral rock. The Key West musical soul is an outpost of humanity, One Human Family, in a sea of swirling, turbulent, incivility. Music has an effect on Key West that is magical, and Key West has an effect on its music and musicians.
Today’s column is about four Key West High School (KWHS) friends that are inspired by the island that raised them. They started hanging out casually, exploring music and rhythm. Practicing together led to the formation of their very own and very cool band, Zero Turbulence.
Jax Thurston and Jamie Everitt
Matteui Bastillada
The quartet consist of Juliana (Juju) Strunk on piano, bass, and drums, Matteui Bastillada, on drums, saxophone, piano, and vocals, Jamie Everitt on clarinet, piano, and vocals, and Jax Thurston on bass, drums, and saxophone. All are multi-talented and amazingly versatile musicians.
Juju Strunk
They have been influenced by many of Key West’s finest musical instructors from the Music Room, Robin Kaplan, Joe Dallas, Skipper Kripitz, plus numerous instructors at Bahama Village Music Program (BVMP), and especially Gary Hernandez, KWHS Music Director. Along the way, there have been special mentors like pianist Smilin’ Bob Boyd who performed with Bill Blue’s Nervous Guys and almost everyone else in town. Another mentor is Wayne Sorbelli, owner of Island Guitar and a sponsor of many musical events.
Every Key West school has a significant music program that has influenced these young talents. Jamie and Juju were part of the KWHS Steel Pan Ensemble. Matteui and Jax have been friends since they were very young and studied music together at BVMP. They are literally and figuratively surrounded by music in Key West.
Jamie Everitt
Matteui Bastillada
All four have participated in the KWHS Jazz band. Their love of 40s/50s era jazz is evident in every set that includes significant and very complex jazz arrangements plus more recent popular music. They rehearse their performances and continually add new music. I hadn’t heard them play in over a month and there was a noticeable improvement over their previous performances. They are constantly improving.
They are all multi-instrumental – Jax Thurston drums
In spite of the normal rigors of a high school curriculum, plus the applications to colleges, the pursuit of scholarships, band practice and performances, their jobs and many other stresses, this talented quartet finds the inspiration to perform. All four are honor students. They love music and sometimes would just get together to laugh, play a little music, and goof off.
Juju Strunk jazz drummer
Matteui was born in the Philippines and began learning music at age 11. He credits the musical influence of saxophonists, Michael Becker and Gerald Albright in helping his studies.
Jamie started learning music at age 5 and credits Bob Boyd as one of her biggest influences. Performing has become a huge part of her life. She loves how it brings people together.
Jax is a 4th generation Conch and has been strumming a ukulele or hitting a drum pad since he was 4 years old. He credits his father’s influence by introducing him to different genres and musical artists.
Juju started playing piano at 3 years old with Robin Kaplan and credits her multi-instrumental brother Eddie for her inspiration. She fell in love with all things percussion in high school.
Jamie Everitt featured with the Paradise Big Band
All four musicians credit music as becoming part of their identity and thank this wonderful community for everything they’ve been able to achieve. Matteui, JuJu, and Jax are seniors and will be going to college in the fall and continuing their music education. Jamie is a very talented junior who will miss her friends next fall but will continue to perform and grow musically.
Matteui and Juju previously attended the Berklee School of Music, a six-week summer program in Boston. Jax and Jamie will attend Berklee this summer. Matteui has received several scholarships and will begin attending a full music curriculum this fall at the Berklee School of Music. Both Juju and Jax have been accepted to the School of Music of the University of Florida studying music education this fall. Jamie has another year to decide but will also pursue a music education in college.
Jax Thurston Barritone Sax solo with the Paradise Big Band
Every performance reflects the bond the quartet has built, along with the dedication and passion they put into their music. I’ve watched their education and continual growth over the years. I remember when one of the professionals, teaching at BVMP, taught 11-year-old Matteui how to twirl his sticks while drumming. He was so proud. I have watched Juju continue and follow in her brother’s footsteps, playing drums in the marching band and becoming a very cool jazz drummer. I watched Jax wail away on a huge baritone saxophone, playing a solo for the Paradise Big Band. I remember the incredible vocal notes that Jamie nailed with ease during a recent performance on the big stage at the Tennessee Williams Theater.
The parents also get a shout out. They have all nurtured these talents from their very beginning. It would have been much more difficult without these proud parents. One parent provides the rehearsal space, feeds them, and schedules the gigs. Another parent published and maintains their website and online presence. Together, they promote the group, help load the instruments, and deserve a good deal of the credit for the success of Zero Turbulence.
Also credit the total Key West music education system from grade school through high school and the numerous music institutions that help support and inspire the next generation of musicians.
Check out the cool sox.
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