Adrian Esparza: The Artist Within

Adrian Esparza, local musician, author and educator, overcame many hardships to find success and peace in his life. The El Paso native left his hometown to pursue his dreams of a music career in Los Angeles. During this time, he would face the most difficult hardships of his life, including being diagnosed with cancer.

After a great deal of consideration, Esparza returned home. “I kind of felt like the prodigal son,” Esparza says. “I couldn’t pay for health care, and sometimes I had no idea where my next paycheck was going to come from.” It was upon returning home that Esparza was able to heal and reflect.

Esparza found guidance and inspiration in “Follow your Bliss,” a book written by Joseph Campbell. He was inspired to write “Down with the Brown” about his experiences growing up in El Paso. Esparza modeled his book after José Antonio Burciaga’s “Drink Cultura.”

Esparza, a well-known guitarist, considers Jimi Hendrix and Curt Warren, UTEP music professor, the two people who have had the most influence on his life and music. He is currently a member of instrumental funk band Aztec Zodiac.

If he had to choose between writing and music, Esparza says, “I’m going to be completely honest and say music … writing is awesome, but with music you don’t have to be able to see or be able to read a certain language.”

Esparza is now in remission and despite the struggles he has faced in life, he describes himself as an optimist. He says the last verse of the poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann describes his outlook and perspective on life: “With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”