Daily Inspiration: Meet Allan Bezama

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allan Bezama

Hi Allan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into music began at the age of 5 with piano lessons. Though initially enthusiastic, my interest soon waned as playing outside with friends took priority. The piano was set aside, but a seed had been planted.

A few years later, thanks to Guitar Hero 3, I became fascinated with the guitar. It wasn’t a real instrument, but the game opened my ears to new music and sparked my imagination. Playing along to songs in the game felt electrifying, and I began to dream about playing a real guitar. But for years, that dream stayed just out of reach.

Around age 11, an opportunity finally came along, though not in the way I expected. My church offered free music lessons, and I eagerly signed up for the guitar class, only to find it was full. The only option left was the bass guitar class. Reluctantly, I agreed to give it a try. What started as a compromise soon became something special. I was the only student who stuck with the bass lessons, learning the basics and developing a deeper connection to the instrument.

When my bass teacher announced he was moving back to Argentina, he gifted me his 3/4 neck Epiphone bass guitar. That gesture meant more than he knew—it marked the moment when music truly became part of who I was. I still have that bass today, a reminder of where it all began.

Around that time, Rock Band was released, and unlike Guitar Hero, it came with a drum set. When I first played the game at a friend’s house, hitting the pads and keeping rhythm felt natural and exhilarating. I was hooked. The first song I played was “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and from then on, I knew I needed my own kit. After convincing my parents, I got Rock Band and spent countless hours playing, unlocking songs, and unknowingly learning how to drum. By the time my family moved to a new church, I discovered that I could play the real drums with only a few tweaks. At age 12, I was playing drums in the church worship band, loving the feeling of contributing to the music around me.

Despite my newfound skills, the guitar still called to me. Members of the church band were generous with their time, teaching me chords and showing me how to play songs. My desire grew, and at age 13, I finally received my first electric guitar. The wait was worth it.

At first, I played guitar casually, experimenting and learning independently. It wasn’t until high school that I felt the urge to take it more seriously. I had taken a few private lessons, but they hadn’t gone anywhere, so I decided to try a different approach. Sophomore year, I set my sights on the high school guitar class, even though it was typically reserved for juniors and seniors. I spent that summer practicing for 4-6 hours a day, teaching myself to improvise and play along to backing tracks.

When junior year began, I approached the guitar teacher, George Haviland, and auditioned for his class. He accepted me, and soon, Mr. Haviland became more than just a teacher—he became a mentor who believed in me. He pushed me to aim higher and supported my university auditions. I also joined the school’s jazz band, directed by Brian Bonacci, which opened up a new world of music beyond the church songs.

By the fall of 2013, I was ready to take my passion to the next level. I enrolled at New Jersey City University (NJCU) as a Music Education major with a concentration in Classical Guitar. Under the guidance of Dr. Ana Maria Rosado and Francisco Roldan, I dove into a rigorous study that showed me just how much I had to learn. I discovered a love for classical guitar.

Near the end of college, I noticed some friends participating in jazz ensembles, even though they weren’t jazz majors. Inspired, I approached Jazz Director Walt Weiskopf and asked if I could join an ensemble. He agreed, which led me to meet incredible faculty members like Allen Farnham, Nathan Eklund, Richie Vitale, Jay Anderson, Paul Meyers, and Tim Horner. This experience was pivotal, and it helped me sharpen my improvisation and broaden my musical skills.

One of the most influential mentors I found was Vic Juris, a legendary jazz guitarist. Tim Horner encouraged me to study with Vic, and our lessons were transformative. For two years, I visited Vic at his home in West Orange, soaking up every bit of wisdom he offered until his passing in December 2019. During this time, I also attended jam sessions across Northern New Jersey, which pushed me to grow and meet like-minded musicians.

By 2019, I was ready to explore more of New York City’s vibrant music scene. I began attending a Saturday night jam session at Penny Jo’s in Washington Heights, hosted by Reed Miller, a fellow student of Vic Juris. Each week, I showed up and played with a variety of musicians, gaining confidence and forming connections. Reed’s hosting created an environment that felt welcoming and inspiring, and it wasn’t long before I started booking gigs and feeling more at home in the city’s music community.

Then, the pandemic hit in March 2020. Live music came to an abrupt halt, and I graduated online. During those months, I played video games, practiced guitar daily, and hoped for the return of normalcy.

By 2021, things started to reopen slowly, and I rejoined the NYC music scene with renewed energy. Eric Hallenbeck, a drummer I had met at Penny Jo’s, asked if I could host a jazz jam session at Club Cumming, a well-known LGBTQIA+ venue owned by actor Alan Cumming. The event was curated by Richard Cortez, a rising queer jazz vocalist, and I jumped at the chance. Hosting the session was a crash course in running an event, handling sound and lighting, and creating a welcoming space for musicians. From December 2021 to October 2023, I hosted weekly, and then monthly, sessions until the series ended in July 2024. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, connecting me with countless musicians and expanding my musical community.

This year, I recorded my first two albums. The first was a collaboration with my friend and mentor, Tim Horner. We recorded at Trading 8s Studio in Paramus, NJ, with Steve Wilson on saxophone, Jim Ridl on piano, and Noriko Ueda on bass. The second was a trio project with Ilya Osachuk on bass and Kai Craig on drums, recorded at Big Orange Sheep in Brooklyn. These albums, rooted in tradition yet exploring new sounds, marked the culmination of years of dedication and growth.

Today, I’m fortunate to balance my roles as a bandleader and sideman in NYC, with plans to release my music soon. The journey has been anything but linear, but each step has brought me closer to where I am meant to be.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have faced my fair share of struggles in my pursuit of becoming a freelance musician. The death of my mentor, Vic Juris, left an immense void in my life. Vic was not just a mentor but a father figure who guided and nurtured me, and his sudden absence felt like having the rug pulled out from under me. Adjusting to life and continuing my musical journey without his guidance was difficult, and I often wish he could see where I am today and the progress I’ve made because of him.

A few years later, I experienced another wave of profound loss. Within just two months, my father, my dog, and my godfather passed away unexpectedly. The shock and emptiness were overwhelming as I grappled with the reality that the people I loved so deeply had moved on, leaving me to navigate life without them. Even now, as I write this, I can still feel their love and support urging me to persevere.

What has kept me grounded through it all are the remarkable women in my life. My mother, my girlfriend Daniela, and her mother, whom I consider a second mother, are my constant sources of inspiration. Their love and unwavering support drive me to work hard and continue moving forward.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Jazz Guitarist in the NYC/NJ metropolitan area. I am a freelance musician that plays not only Jazz but R&B, original music, rock, funk and more. I’m most proud of my versatility. Consistently putting myself in challenging musical situations in order to learn. I want to constantly be learning new music whether it be covers or originals and serve the music at the highest level.

Any big plans?
Looking ahead, I am excited to release the two albums I recorded this year. By next year, I aspire to produce a new record with the quintet I’ve been performing with over the past year. I envision taking these projects on tour, sharing our music with audiences beyond New York City.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allanbezama.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allanbezama/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100004310926560/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@AllanBezama