My name is Christian Vela from San Jose California. I learned to play guitar in junior high school and formed my first band as part of a seventh grade science project. I've worked in performing arts theatres as a production technician since I was in high school. I studied Music Technology at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills California. I grew up playing and touring in Latin, Ska, Jazz, Reggae and Punk bands. I'm fluent in English & Spanish and can moderately comprehend Portuguese, French and Italian. Playing music and working in production are my passions.

Currently, I'm the Senior Production Manager at
SFJAZZ in San Francisco, Production Manager for the annual San Francisco Jazz Festival and I also Tour & Production Manage various artists and organizations. I also play guitar and sing in my garage doo-wop band Los Hot Boxers. Pinke Records has become a multifaceted outlet for my production work.

Some artists I've had the pleasure to work with include:

  • Amadou & Mariam
  • Manu Chao
  • Brothers of Brazil (Supla & João Suplicy)
  • Fishbone
  • Robert Glasper
  • Wynton Marsalis & Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
  • Arturo Sandoval
  • Herbie Hancock
  • Wayne Shorter
  • Ravi Coltrane
  • Savion Glover
  • Joey Alexander
  • Gregory Porter
  • Chucho Valdes
  • Marc Ribot
  • Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
  • Afro Cuban All-Stars
  • Los Van Van
  • Buddy Guy
  • Jose James
  • Snarky Puppy
  • Maceo Parker
  • Natalia Lafourcade
  • La Santa Cecilia
  • Pacific Mambo Orchestra
  • Paris Combo
  • Esperanza Spalding
  • Dianne Reeves
  • Mariza
  • Terence Blanchard
  • Allen Toussaint
  • Preservation Hall Jazz Band
  • Marcus Miller
  • Brad Mehldau
  • Pat Metheny
  • Veruca Salt
  • Gilberto Gil
  • Chris Botti
  • Seun Kuti
  • Charles Lloyd
  • Aaron Neville
  • Roy Ayers
  • Christian McBride
  • Lila Downs
  • Kamasi Washington
  • Lee Fields & The Expressions
  • Diego El Cigala
  • Cecile McLorin Salvant & Aaron Diehl
  • Goran Bregovic
  • Vijay Iyer
  • Brian Wilson
  • Rosanne Cash
  • Emmylou Harris
  • Lucinda Williams
  • Herb Alpert
  • Charles Bradley

I've also supported high profile clients & events including:

President Barack Obama at SFJAZZ
Hewlett Packard
Google
YouTube
TED Talks
New York Times
World Cafe : NPR
Dolby Labs
Old Navy
ECM Records
Salesforce
The Bold Italic
The Emmy's
Netflix
Duke Ellington's Concert of Sacred Music 50th Anniversary at Grace Cathedral

I've represented my clients in festivals with high production values which include:

Bonnaroo
Lollapalooza
Central Park Summerstage
Osheaga
Outside Lands
Austin City Limits
Montreal Jazz Festival
Van's Warped Tour
+ more.

My role and duties have included:

Production Manager
Tour Management
Stage Manager
Production Assistant
Artist Assistant
Event Technician
Touring & International Travel
Show Advance
Logistics & Execution
Daily Ops
Backline Technician:
Guitars
Bass
Piano / Keyboards
Drums / Percussion
World Music Instruments

I have also represented my clients across international clubs, theaters, opera houses, performing arts centers, symphony halls, radio, tv and beyond. The journey continues, working with great musicians in conjunction with great organizations.

At your service,
Christian Vela
@mrchristianvela

'Viva Los Hot Boxers' out now on CD in our
online store. Available on iTunes.
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