Joe "Jama" Perales Jr., the soulful voice and bass guitar virtuoso of San Antonio's West Side Sound, passed away on Sunday at the age of 74 due to complications from diabetes. The news of his death reverberated throughout the music community, where the Royal Jesters alumnus was remembered both for his musical prowess and as a devoted family man. "To everybody, he's Joe Jama ... but to me, he's my life. He was my best friend," Lilly Elizondo, his wife, told San Antonio Report in an emotional statement.
Despite joining the Royal Jesters later in their journey, Perales was instrumental in helping to decidedly transform the group's sound. Through his wide vocal range and ear for arrangement, he influenced the band's transition to a funkier, jazzier, and more horn-driven sound reflective of the Chicano movement. Hector Saldaña, curator of the Texas Music Collection, shared with San Antonio Current, "When you saw Joe Jama in his heyday, it was a powerful thing. He wasn't just a soul shouter. He could bring together a lot of different elements."
Before his tenure with the Royal Jesters, Perales was jamming with local bands such as the Radiants and the Revells. Known as a "real good crooner," his friends and fellow musicians fondly recalled how he got his nickname. "Because he could [really] jam" on the bass guitar, David Marez, a fellow musician and close friend, explained to the San Antonio Report. His influence extended beyond his sheer talent, as others remembered him as a good friend and someone who was always upbeat.
Musicians and historians recognize Joe Jama as a seminal figure in the development of San Antonio's Brown Eyed Soul movement. Ruben Molina, author of "Chicano Soul," remarked in 2015 to the San Antonio Current about how local artists would closely observe and learn from Black musicians during performances at venues such as the Eastwood Country Club. By the early '80s, Jama began to lead his own bands, attracting a diverse following with his soulful and danceable tracks.
Eulogies poured in, remembering Perales not only for his contributions to music but for his family values. "I consider him Dad first, and then famous musician later," his stepdaughter Celeste Gonzalez stated to San Antonio Report. She reminisced about how his kindness, humor, and devotion greatly impacted their family. A celebration of life is scheduled for Perales at Castillo Funeral Home on Jan. 22. In his memory, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover funeral expenses.
