About Ron Gutierrez

Vocal versatility. For Ron Gutierrez, it developed naturally through his exposure from an early age to a wide array of music. His father, saxophonist Tony Gutierrez, was a founding member of the Topeka Jazz Workshop. His mother loved country music. Ron sang for Sunday church services and developed a repertoire of contemporary Christian songs for high school liturgies.

Drawing on all those influences - jazz, country, Christian, pop, R&B – he began to hone a style of his own. His love for jazz and R&B blended into a soulful jazz reflected in every song he sings.

At the University of Kansas, he performed in a vocal jazz ensemble and sang in Kansas City clubs as a soloist and back-up vocalist. He sang as lead vocalist for three years with Garry Mac Productions and The Atlantic Express, a 12-piece, 60's-style R&B group in Kansas City.

Encouraged by these experiences, he decided to pursue his career as an artist. A chance to audition with The U.S. Army Chorale led to a full-time professional vocalist position with this elite vocal ensemble, part of The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, based in Washington, D.C. With The Chorale and as a frequently requested soloist, he performed for all levels of the Administration, Congress and countless foreign and U.S. dignitaries.

His rich, soulful jazz vocals and vast repertoire have led to performances alongside such artists as Michael McDonald, Wynonna Judd, Rita Moreno and B.B. King, as soloist with The National Symphony Orchestra and during national television appearances on such shows as “Showtime at the Apollo” and several live PBS concerts.

Since leaving the Army, Ron has been based in Kansas City, a city known for it’s rich jazz tradition. His smooth voice and dynamic stage presence have established him as one of the region’s top entertainers and a favorite among the city’s top-tier jazz musicians. This reputation has led to repeat performances with the world-renowned Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and several of the other top big bands in the country, including the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

Ron increased his international fan base in March of this year as a concert Soloist at St. Ignatius Cathedral in Rome. In November he gained a new legion of fans when he headlined the First Annual Fes Jazz Festival in Morocco. On the festival’s last night the contingent of artists from France asked Ron for an impromptu encore in order to share the stage one last time. He recently performed for a second straight year at the KC Plaza Lighting Ceremony for an audience of over 100,000 and broadcast on the NFL Network. Organizers of the Coleman Hawkins Legacy Jazz Festival have dubbed him a “highlight” of their event. His continued success at The Kansas State Fair has led to repeat invitations. The Manhattan Arts Center said they were “enthralled...our best one this season.” 

From the stages of The Apollo Theater, The Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Grand Ol’ Opry and Carnegie Hall, to television and recordings, Ron has captivated audiences around the world, young and old and from every walk of life. And the best is yet to come.