Music inspires Austin Gatus through the thick and thins of life

It began in third grade with a recorder from school that first sparked his love for music. His mother said he played incessantly, and as much as she supported his thirst for music, 5:30 a.m. was a bit unbearable.

In fourth grade, he met Hillsdale Middle School band teacher Mr. Caldwell. After a small questionnaire, Austin Gatus found himself with the saxophone in his hands.

It began in third grade with a recorder from school that first sparked his love for music. His mother said he played incessantly, and as much as she supported his thirst for music, 5:30 a.m. was a bit unbearable.

In fourth grade, he met Hillsdale Middle School band teacher Mr. Caldwell. After a small questionnaire, Austin Gatus found himself with the saxophone in his hands.

“On my first day of band, if we could play a certain song, we could advance to the next level,” he said. “I played the song, began the higher level of band and Mr. Caldwell asked me to begin playing with the middle school jazz band.”

This was when his love for music—and the saxophone, catalyzed.

“A few months later, I was diagnosed with leukemia. When I was in the hospital, there was nothing to do, so I began playing my saxophone for everyone there. That helped me in dealing with what I was going through. Playing the saxophone was a good feeling for me,” said Austin Gatus, 17, and now a junior at Valhalla High School.

For the three and a half years, chemotherapy and hospitals consumed his life.

In his third year of chemotherapy (and now 12) at Rady Children’s Hospital’s annual gala, Kenny G headlined the evening. Not knowing, one of the hospital employees sent him video of Gatus playing the sax. Already chosen to speak at the gala, he never imagined playing “Over the Rainbow” in a duet with Kenny G. Austin said he is still in touch with Kenny G, just recently playing with and the Orange County Symphony and San Diego Symphony in April.

Eva Gatus said her son and music date back to preschool with his favorite song “Maria” from “West Side Story.” To everyone’s surprise because he was so shy, when asked by his teacher to sing, he stood on the lunchroom table and performed the song to his class.

In first grade, he asked to try out for a talent show and he chose to sing Billy Gilman’s “There’s a Hero.”

“We didn’t know at the time, we thought it was about all the soldiers going overseas and it was a perfect choice,” said Eva Gatus. “But after his diagnosis, we were watching videos and found it. It turned out to be a song about survivors of cancer.”

She said they are always amazed at the difference in him on and off stage.

“He’s always quiet and easy going, but when he’s on stage, it is a total different person and he enjoys that,” she said. “He just lights up. That’s why jazz artists like Dave Koz and Kenny G are amazed by him and work with him. Kenny G and Dave Koz have embraced Austin through the years, and that is wonderful and they are encouraging and great mentors to him.”

In September, Austin Gatus accompanied Dave Koz as a guest with the Dave Koz Mediterranean Cruise, and the year before. Last year he only performed a duet, but this year Koz put Austin Gatus to work, placing him in shows with his own original music.

It was a great experience for him and he got the chance to meet and perform with other great artists. This included headliners Chris Botti, Gabriel Johnson, Italy’s trumpet player Johnny Patitucci, and jazz guitarist Jay Gore. Locally, venues include Humphrey’s by the Bay, House of Blues, Staples Center for the Clippers, Petco Park for the Padres, Pauley Pavilion for the UCLA Bruins and the Phoenix NBA All-Star Game.

In blend with his music, Austin Gatus began singing at 7-years-old, but he said the Honors Drama program in middle school kicked everything into high gear. He then picked up playing the piano and guitar, accompanying himself and began writing his own songs. He said he draws inspiration not only from his mentors, but loves the works of Cannonball Adderley and singer/songwriter Billy Joel.

“My music is pop, with sax in it,” he said. “I always try to include the sax while still maintaining a pop singer/songwriter style. When I have a band with me I can sing, play the sax, piano and guitar and I try to incorporate all of that into a show.”

Austin performs with the Valhalla Jazz Band, a local big band Jazz Express, an African Jazz Band at Grossmont College and The Austin Gatus Band. He said people contact him through his website for gigs, but most come through word of mouth and people he meets performing.

“Hopefully my future lies in music, what I love to do,” he said. “I plan on staying locally and study music possibly at USC or UCLA. But I want a career in music, from performing, producing or teaching.”

He wrote a song “Never Ever” for NEGU (Never Ever Give Up), the Jesse Rees Foundation.

“What inspired me then, I was about two years cancer free and I wanted to write a song to inspire other people that are going through hard times, just like me.”

He spends much of his talent, trying to raise money for various programs, especially the ones that helped him, and is currently working on a fundraiser to help support the music and performing arts programs at Valhalla. Recently, he played the role of Woof in Valhalla High School’s production of “HAIR.”

With a voice a smooth as his sax playing, Austin Gatus has the ability to cross generations with his style of music and it is clear in his upcoming tracks “Live Every Moment,” “The World” and “One Last Song.” To listen to Austin Gatus’ original music, videos and take a tour of his incredible journey go to www.austingatus.com. For up-to-date information follow him on Facebook, Twitter @austingatus and Instagram.