Artist page

Charlie Alvarado, known for his work with Charlie & the Jives, began his musical journey playing clarinet and saxophone in his junior high school band. He later performed with the Johnny Saro Orchestra during high school. After serving in the Marine Corps, he returned to San Antonio in 1956 and joined a local Tejano rhythm & blues band called Mike & the Bellaires, performing 3-4 nights a week. By 1957, he had formed his own band, The Jives, which gained significant recognition in the late '50s and even had the opportunity to back up Big Joe Turner on his Texas tour. The Jives, also known as the “All Nations Band” for their multi-racial lineup, included talented black musicians like Jitterbug Webb and Bobby Taylor, who later achieved success at Motown. In the 1960s, Charlie moved to Chicago to pursue further opportunities and played with blues guitarist Eddy Clearwater before returning to San Antonio.

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