From the late ’50s and into the early ’70s, Patio Andaluz on San Antonio’s West Facet was the place to be for locals to collect, dance, loosen up, and socialize. Now, West Facet bar Jaime’s Place at 1514 W Commerce St. is remembering the legendary membership with a particular tribute evening on Saturday, June 21.
The dwell music and dance spot that when stood on the nook of West Commerce and Colorado Streets was particularly standard with youngsters and younger adults who embraced what locals referred to as “the West Facet sound” — a vibrant fusion of Chicano, Tejano, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
Bands equivalent to Sunny and the Sunglows, the Royal Jesters, Little Henry and the Laveers, Charlie and the Jives, Rudy and The Reno Bops, and The Dreamliners carried out at Patio Andaluz, creating lasting reminiscences for numerous present Child Boomers who grew up regionally in that period.
Whereas Patio Andaluz not exists, the venue continues to encourage periodical tributes from a brand new technology and from those that loved the glory years of the previous scorching spot. The second annual Tribute to Patio Andaluz will function iconic headliners Henry Lee and Sunny Ozuna, each of whom graced the late membership’s stage many occasions.
Patio Andaluz, a dwell music and social gathering spot, was particularly standard with youngsters.Courtesy UTSA Sombrilla Journal
Famend native tribute band Eddie and The Valiantswill additionally play the June 21 present, performing songs by fabled musical acts equivalent to Joe Bravo, Rudy Tee, Dimas Garza, Joe Jama, and Rudy Palacios. DJ Santita will spin vinyl oldies all night.
Mike Torres III, CEO of NextGen Latinx Information, organized the most recent Patio Andaluz occasion. Whereas occasions paying tribute to the legacy of Patio Andaluz have unfolded at different websites in recent times, the one going down at Jaime’s Place occurs to be proper throughout the road from the place Patio Andaluz initially stood.
“It is an open-air lot now, however within the ’60s, all these bands got here to play there, and all these youngsters got here to hang around,” Torres says.
Via his work as a musician and heading up a document label, Torres has labored with many musicians who performed at Patio Andaluz again within the day.
“A variety of them mentioned the ’60s in San Antonio had been tough. There have been gangs within the neighborhood, however Patio Andaluz was a impartial website,” Torres says. “Photos of the place present that the bandstand was a bit of carry proper off the ground. There was no huge sound or mild system, however the bands loved enjoying there anyway.”
Torres recalled the inaugural Patio Andaluz tribute occasion held in 2024 at Jaime’s Place, a full bar and dwell music venue that has develop into one thing like Patio Andaluz — a spot for locals to collect, have enjoyable, and join.
Little Henry Lee & the Laveers had been a mainstay of Patio Andaluz.Picture courtesy of Mike Torress III
Commemorations just like the upcoming tribute evening, Torres says, give locals an opportunity to protect the classic West Facet sound.
“Final 12 months, we misplaced Joe Jama, one of many nice bassists and singers. We thought we should always have this occasion extra usually whereas these guys are nonetheless round,” Torres says.
At age 81, Ozuna stays busy, performing along with his band, The Sunliners, round Texas and throughout the nation. He says the June 21 tribute occasion will likely be a enjoyable time for all guests.
Ozuna saysthere had been different social locations for younger San Antonians rising up within the ’50s and ’60s. Nonetheless, for a lot of West Siders, Patio Andaluz was on the prime of the listing for a lot of of these youths, primarily as a result of it hosted a plethora of bands and automotive membership meetups.
“It was a life-style for us musicians as a result of we simply went from place to put, however Patio Andaluz felt particular,” he provides.
Ozuna says he loves that his counterparts, equivalent to Henry Lee, proceed to carry out and even create new music.
“Henry’s motto may as nicely be ‘I do not need to develop up.’ Numerous Child Boomers are tied up in that mindset,” he laughs.
Ozuna says the June 21 live performance is each an opportunity for longtime followers to reminisce, for youthful generations to be taught concerning the “West Facet sound,” and for locals to mirror on a singular a part of San Antonio’s musical heritage.
“We have seen many later generations strive to return to that point when Patio Andaluz was round, however that point was simply meant for us who had been there,” he provides. “But it surely’s at all times good to play our music for whoever needs to listen to it. [June 21] will likely be a enjoyable time.”
Doorways for the Tribute to Patio Andaluz will open at 5 pm on July 21. Tickets begin at $25.
