Your tropical getaway is waiting. And Jerry Diaz is your tour guide. He’ll be ready to serve up a frosty margarita with a twist of Texas Beach Music on the side. All you have to do is let yourself go amigo.
A life-long resident of South East Texas, Jerry Diaz has been performing live music along the Gulf Coast since 1992. Based in the Beaumont, Texas area, Diaz knows the beach bars from Key West to South Padre Island very well. Personal experiences from a life spent in Crystal Beach and New Orleans, along with tales handed down from sailors, fishermen, and beach bums combine to give Diaz a first-hand look into a world of “real life” escapism.
Influenced by both the Beach Boys and Jerry Jeff Walker while in his teens, Diaz picked up a guitar and set out to entertain folks with his favorite cover tunes. Somewhere along the way, he discovered the music of Jimmy Buffett as well. But in the early 90’s, another thing happened. He discovered that he could actually write his own songs that reflected the “beach feel”, but with a Texas perspective. In 1996, while a member of the band “Key West”, Diaz’s first foray into recorded music was released to the public. All ten original songs from Key West’s first album were penned by Diaz, and enjoyed significant regional success. Diaz toured regionally with Key West until 2002, then set out on his own journey as front man for his own band, “Jerry Diaz & Hanna’s Reef”.
Today, Jerry Diaz has 5 albums under his belt, and is working on a 6th. The line-up for the band has changed over the years, but has always featured the steel drum playing of virtuoso Mark Mireles. The full band set-up features an exciting rhythm section, steel drums, and Diaz on acoustic guitar. Diaz also performs solo on guitar for songwriter events, and a smaller version of the band is available as well.
A live show from Jerry Diaz & Hanna’s Reef today will feature a healthy dose of original tunes, and can be a complete “originals” show. But the band also covers Buffett (a tribute version is available), Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, the Beach Boys, and other contemporary artists.
Diaz’s music is often called “Trop-Rock”, and he is a leading influence in that burgeoning genre. In fact, due in large part to his involvement as one of the earliest purveyors of the genre, and his continued nurturing of up and coming Trop Rock artists, he is often referred to affectionately as the “Godfather of Trop Rock”.
And yes, Parrot Heads, Diaz is indeed the founder of the annual event, “Meeting of the Minds”. He has been featured in several documentaries, news articles, and books on the subject.
Despite the storied background of his career in music, Diaz continues to push forward as one of the most exciting, and “in- demand” performers in Trop Rock music today. Pick up a CD, a download, or attend a live show, and you’ll be inspired by Texas Beach Music yourself!
