Tranquilino (Photo by Bill Bungard / BillBungard.com)

He’s been playing music for more than 20 years now, but Rafael Tranquilino says he feels as if he’s just starting out on a brand new journey to take his music to heights yet uncharted in his highly notable career.

A big part of his enthusiasm is because he signed up recently with Maurice the Fish Records. Providing artists with a platform in which they maintain creative control of their music and attain visibility in a competitive market, Tranquilino said “The Fish” drew him in due its reputation for putting its family of artists first and because those who head up the label are not only musicians themselves, but they are genuinely great people.

“I like good people – nice people – and I like to work with good people,” Tranquilino said. “Maurice the Fish is all about helping each other. It’s like I’m at home with friends. They make me feel real and that’s important to me.”

Another thing that has Tranquilino’s spirits raised is his move to be a fully independent artist. Up until about two months ago, Tranquilino was enjoying a stint with the Randy Oxford Band with whom he grew musically and personally as the band’s guitar player, band director and songwriter. Feeling the need to play more and different music, with Oxford’s blessing Tranquilino left the band a couple months ago. 
“For me, this is very exciting. This year I turned 30 years old and the way I think started to change a little bit – something told me I need to start doing my own stuff.”

A prolific performer, Tranquilino can be seen and heard onstage at numerous Tacoma venues many nights throughout the month, and also at Louie G.’s in Fife, which has a fully professional stage, sound and lighting set. Rafael Tranquilino Band will perform there on Nov. 19 as part of a Maurice the Fish showcase with The Fat Tones.

“This will be a good chance to see all sides of what I do,” Tranquilino said. “I’m going to try and put everything I’ve done for the past three years into one set.”

The three years Tranquilino is referring to encompass the experiences he got with Randy Oxford Band along with his own continuing development as a consummate guitarist. With his trademark passion and energy, combined with his affable nature that truly comes across onstage, Tranquilino plays a wealth of musical styles – blues, rock, funk, metal, ska, reggae, Latin and jazz fusion. Through deft improvisation, he creates his own brand of blues/rock fusion that can be best experienced during his band’s live performances. “I shred a lot,” he said of his playing. “I like the fast stuff.” He likes the slower stuff too, his smooth voice icing on the cake. Whether he sings in Spanish or English, it’s the soul in his music that speaks to listeners of any nationality.

Tranquilino’s current projects include a CD in the works and upcoming gigs with Rafael’s Gemini Trio featuring Glenn Hummel on drums and Matt Deason on bass - three Geminis all born on May 30.

With his new mantra these days – “Let’s take it to the next level” – the joy Tranquilino spreads through his music and his warm personality will no doubt serve him well to the next level and beyond. He misses his friends and family in Mexico City, but he feels that he’s in the right place right now. “I feel like I’m at the start of something new,” he said. “I always wanted to play music in the U.S. That is my American Dream.”

Nov. 15 – Rafael Tranquilino Band at Stonegate, 9 p.m. to midnight

Nov. 17 – Rafael's Gemini Trio at The Hub, 8-11 p.m.
Nov. 22 – Rafael Tranquilino Band at Stonegate, 9 p.m. to midnight

Nov. 24 – Rafael's Gemini Trio at The Hub, 8-11 p.m.

Nov. 29 – Rafael Tranquilino Band at Stonegate, 9 p.m. to midnight