Beto and the Fairlanes

"Latinos of all ilks have been making music in Austin and in Texas for a long, long time: Beto y los Fairlanes, Alejandro Escovedo, Davíd Garza, Ruben Ramos, Little Joe y la Familia, Willie Santiago, Leyendas, Alfonso Ramos, Neto Perez & the Originals, the Nash Hernandez Orchestra, Flaco and Santiago Jimenez, Sun Vocina, La Tribu, Manuel Donley y los Estrellas, Los Jazz Vatos, Conjunto Aztlan, Son y No Son, Centzontle, Correo Aereo, and many, many others. This is certainly not a complete list and not all are still around, but they paved the way. There's an onda all right, and it doesn't come out of a vacuum." - Belinda Acosta, Austin Chronicle

"Latinos of all ilks have been making music in Austin and in Texas for a long, long time: Beto y los Fairlanes, Alejandro Escovedo, Davíd Garza, Ruben Ramos, Little Joe y la Familia, Willie Santiago, Leyendas, Alfonso Ramos, Neto Perez & the Originals, the Nash Hernandez Orchestra, Flaco and Santiago Jimenez, Sun Vocina, La Tribu, Manuel Donley y los Estrellas, Los Jazz Vatos, Conjunto Aztlan, Son y No Son, Centzontle, Correo Aereo, and many, many others. This is certainly not a complete list and not all are still around, but they paved the way. There's an onda all right, and it doesn't come out of a vacuum." - Belinda Acosta, Austin Chronicle

"Depending on who you ask, it’s either “Beto and the Fairlanes” or “Beto y Los Fairlanes.” Both are correct – and that sort of speaks to the type of band that they are. Beto y/and Los/the Fairlanes aren’t a group to get bogged down by details of whether their conjunctions and articles are in Spanish or English, they’re a group to play raucous jazz and Latin jam music until they can’t anymore. And that’s exactly what they’ve been doing since the band was formed in the 70s. The band’s leader, Robert “Beto” Skiles, was raised on classical music and studied music at the University of Texas and the University of North Texas. So while the band has good humor in spades, it is never short on talent and skill. On Thursday, the band will play a show at the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture. Or just listen here for their live performance in Studio 1a for host Jay Trachtenberg. " - Reid O'Connor, KUT 90.5 FM

"The opening act for this evening was Beto Y Los Fairlanes (aka Robert Skiles) taking the stage in their quest to play 35 shows (this was number 25) to celebrate three and a half decades of playing together. Hartt Stearns, co-founder of One World, sat in with the band on congas. Later, while introducing Roberts on stage, he noted that he'd persisted for some time to get him to play at One World Theater. The persistence was worth the effort - and the wait, as they are definitely a must-see for jazz lovers who like their music straight-up with a twist." - Amy Price, Austinist

"And if that doesn’t satisfy your festival-going spirit, then there’s always music. Sweet Bunch of Daisies kicks off the day at noon in the Music Tent, followed by Taj Weekes, Ben Livingston, Jesse Sublett & the Big Three Trio and Beto y Los Fairlanes." - Austin-American Statesman

"Today’s guests, Beto and the Fairlanes, have entertained audiences with their unique blend of Latin Jazz, swing, and world music since the late 70's. They’ll be headlining this Saturday night (Nov 17) at Alpine’s Artwalk 2012. More information about musical performances at Artwalk are available on their website." - KRTS 93.5 FM Marfa Public Radio

"If you were active in the burgeoning Austin music scene of the late Seventies, then dancing to Beto & the Fairlanes under the stars at Liberty Lunch on Thursday nights was a weekly ritual. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Robert "Beto" Skiles and crew compiled a career retrospective that grabs favorites from the group's six LPs, all songs by Skiles. Basically a hot Latin jazz dance band, their incorporation of diverse contemporary grooves and styles once characterized this town's musical culture at large. Along with Skiles, a dazzling pianist, the band boasts an array of top jazz musicians who put forth formidable chops on highlights including "Playa Gloria," "Eye of the Hurricane," and "Sesos de Huesos," their first 45 single from 1977. Although dated, Best o Beto still offers effusive party music that captures an essential slice of Austin music. Vamos a get down!"

-Jay Trachtenberg - Austin Chronicle

"If you were active in the burgeoning Austin music scene of the late Seventies, then dancing to Beto & the Fairlanes under the stars at Liberty Lunch on Thursday nights was a weekly ritual. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Robert "Beto" Skiles and crew compiled a career retrospective that grabs favorites from the group's six LPs, all songs by Skiles. Basically a hot Latin jazz dance band, their incorporation of diverse contemporary grooves and styles once characterized this town's musical culture at large. Along with Skiles, a dazzling pianist, the band boasts an array of top jazz musicians who put forth formidable chops on highlights including "Playa Gloria," "Eye of the Hurricane," and "Sesos de Huesos," their first 45 single from 1977. Although dated, Best o Beto still offers effusive party music that captures an essential slice of Austin music. Vamos a get down!"

-Jay Trachtenberg - Austin Chronicle

"The best season opener we've had in 19 years! Great music played by great musicians whose love of their craft infected the whole park, from the first downbeat to the last encore! - Bob Noon, Festival Director

"Beto y los Fairlanes are able to attract broad popular support without sacrificing the Jazz content in their music,spreading a rare and wonderful disease, Betomania!" - Fred Bourque, National Public Radio

..."moved the crowd with powerfuf,detailed Salsa" - Joe Groos & Michael Corcoran, Austin Statesman

.."Wonderful performance!..People forgot about the flood that covered our park and stage. Despite these adverse conditions,this was a record year for attendance at the festival and this success was due in large part to the participation of Beto and the Fairlanes" - Dick Renko, Festival Coordinator

Jazz in June was an even bigger success because of Beto & the Fairlanes What a great job! ...Such a fantastic performance. Everything here was delightful. They were dancing in the streets! - Ron Mckeel, festival promoter