Uno Mundo part of concert series

With years of music experience — including work with one another — it seemed only natural that Uno Mundo's band members would eventually join forces.

The trio is the next installment of the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council's On Stage concert series at the Lee Burrows Arts Center on Saturday.

Consisting of Kenny Trujillo on acoustic guitar and vocals, Brian Nakagawa on electric guitar and Sam Jellsey on bass guitar, the Yuba-Sutter musicians offer "a little less volume" in an often-loud and crowded live music scene, as Nakagawa puts it.

All three have been a part of a number of bands, duos and groups, with the latest venture another opportunity to showcase their talents and play to Mid-Valley crowds.

"We're not getting any younger," Trujillo said with a laugh. "We want to get out there and show we've got some stuff."

Trujillo and Jellsey, who have known and played music with each other for more than a decade, hatched the idea for Uno Mundo within the last year. They then asked Nakagawa, a seasoned professional with national touring experience and a Marysville native, to come on board.

"We're all from around this area, all been playing music for a long time," Nakagawa said of the mix.

The band's folk-rock, classic acoustic style pays tribute to artists like James Taylor, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne — one of Trujillo's favorites.

"His words resonate within me, and I sing his songs," Trujillo said, adding Browne's environmental advocacy is represented through the band's name, meaning "one world."

"That denotes the fact that as far as we know, there is only one world that we have here," he said. "And I think we all would like to see it better taken care of."

Commercially, Jellsey said not being as loud as a four-member set with a drummer means Uno Mundo might appeal to places that "ordinarily don't want live music," in addition to weddings and other private events.

During a rehearsal for the Arts Council performance, the trio jammed on classics like George Benson's "On Broadway" — one of Nakagawa's favorite guitarists — and Browne's "Barricades of Heaven."

Like Nakagawa, Jellsey grew up in Yuba County and said the prospect of financially benefiting the Arts Council makes Saturday's show mean even more. It likely won't be the last time the group's Americana vibe will be heard at such a function, he added.

Joining Uno Mundo for four to five songs will be another up-and-coming local group, the Villa Réal Girls, three women who also bring a softer, mellow approach, lead vocalist Janet Frye said.

Like the headliners, the Villa Réal Girls are growing in popularity — and Frye and Trujillo said they're excited to play together and mix fan bases.

And just like the formation of Uno Mundo, one could say the groups' combination on Saturday was only a matter of time.

CONTACT Andrew Cummins at acummins@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4779.