Jose E. Sanchez

Jose E. Sanchez (born in 1984) is a guitarist/songwriter from Chicago, Illinois, and known for his recent work in the metal band, The Evening Funeral.
Biography
Early Years
Jose Sanchez (born Jose Edgar Sanchez) is of Mexican and Puerto Rican decent, born in Chicago, Illinois in 1984 and was introduced to music as a child by listening to his mother, Haydee, frequently play classic rock and salsa loudly at home. In 1989 while in pre-school at El Hogar del Niño in the Pilsen neighborhood, he was in a Christmas play where he performed on stage for the first time. He then performed in another Christmas play later in grammar school. Because of his interest in performing, he began taking guitar lessons from age 10 to 16 at The International School of Music in his hometown of Cicero, Illinois where he learned to read sheet music and understand theory. Originally he wanted to pursue bass guitar, but changed his mind soon after. Sports were also a tremendous influence in his life competing on the Cicero Boys' Club's basketball team in 1995 and eventually winning first-place as the team's Center. In 1998 he earned his first of two first-place state championships for the annual Illinois Music Association competition. He won his second in 1999. At J. Sterling Morton East High School from 1998 to 2002, he further extended his music theory knowledge with the school's guitar classes and clubs with instructor Paul Anthony. He then performed at the school's annual talent show, "Showcase", that same year, and again in 2005 as an alumni and member of Rising As It Burns in the historic Chodl Auditorium.
Musical Accomplishments
Upon graduation of high school, he began his own band, Self Infliction, and released their debut, self-titled EP Self Infliction in 2002. In 2003, Self Infliction became Advent Wrath with the addition of two new members and released a self-titled, debut EP Advent Wrath later that same year. Advent Wrath disbanded in June 2004 as he became the second guitarist for local friends EvilXInnocence from Barrington, Illinois while they were still recording their debut EP. After several successful shows and studio work for them, his second band, The Evening Funeral, was formed. It was a creative studio side project that led to creative differences between members and ultimately his departure of EvilXInnocence in November 2004. The Evening Funeral was officially developed in December 2004, but soon after set aside as another project, Rising As It Burns, formed and ended in late 2007. It was not until the summer of 2008 that The Evening Funeral formed again and began playing live throughout Illinois and Indiana. He is frequently seen performing live with custom, hand-made, aluminum chainmaille guitar straps made by Elemental Art Jewelry, owned by fellow Chicagoan, and jewelry designer Kat Wisniewski. As of April 2010, The Evening Funeral has begun working on a debut album set to release in 2011 with producer and engineer Pete Grossmann (Undo Tomorrow/2*Sweet) at Bricktop Studios.
Warped Tour

July 23, 2005 he provided live guitar work for Code of the Cutz, directed by Jaime Wilkins/ADDVERSE out of East Lansing, Michigan, at the annual Warped Tour at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater (formerly Tweeter Center) in Tinley Park, Illinois. Acts included his cousin and fellow musician DJ/Beatboxer/Photographer Jam One, Natives of the New Dawn, Verbal Kent, Psalm One, Hangar 18, Arcane, Longshot, Glue, Josh Martinez and Sleep are The Chicharones, and others.
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group Casting director Tascha van Auken responded to his musician casting submission for the Blue Man Group band in October 2007. The band, which accompanies the Blue Man Group, wear brightly colored paint during performances in a caged platform above the stage in Chicago's Briar Street Theater. The strict auditions were split two ways: Step One and Step Two, according to the format as mentioned on their official website. Step one of the audition required him to listen to a part of a song played only once, play it back, listen to another part only once, play it back, again, then perform the entire bit with the live band. He was then invited back for step two, but this time having been asked to play slide guitar and autoharp as his skill was tested.
Awards
* 1995 Cicero Boys' Club (CBC) basketball, first place.
* 1998 IMA state champion, first place.
* 1999 IMA state champion, first place.

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