With his trumpet in hand and a sound steeped in Latin soul and storytelling, Josué Estrada and his band are set to take the stage at this week’s Sunset Concert, promising an evening of rhythms, jazz and cultural celebration.

The free concert will be held at Turley Park on Thursday at 7 p.m., continuing a 47-year tradition of bringing diverse musical voices to the southern Illinois community. Estrada’s performance, blending original compositions with reimagined classics, is expected to be one of the most dynamic sets of the series.

Estrada, a first-generation Mexican American artist from Wichita, Kansas, calls his music “psychedelic Chicano jazz,” a style that reflects both his cultural heritage and deep love for jazz.

“It’s about fusing jazz with my culture, my story, and making something that feels like home,” he said.

Before launching his own project, Estrada toured nationally with the bluegrass-punk band Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy. But during the pandemic, when life slowed down and touring paused, he began writing and recording music in his bedroom. That creative solitude sparked a new musical chapter.

That band has since evolved into a powerhouse ensemble. Estrada handpicked each member based on their musical chemistry and shared vision. Their performances are known for their high-energy spirit, emotional honesty, and genre-bending style.

Estrada’s music is infused with stories of identity, heritage, and self-discovery. He writes some of his lyrics in Spanish — a way of expressing his identity.

“I’m not trying to preach that people should learn Spanish — I just want to make being Mexican American look and sound as cool as possible.”

That authenticity has made his music resonate with audiences far beyond Kansas. One of his most memorable early shows was in Carbondale, where the community embraced him with unexpected enthusiasm.

Ben West, a friend of Josué Estrada, got him a gig at PK’s earlier in his career. It was a very memorable night for both of them.

“I had pretty high expectations because Josué is a great player…everybody in that band is just ridiculously talented. too,” West said.

Estrada said the first time the band played at PK’s, the bar went wild.

“People were texting their friends to get there. By the end, we had an encore…It was magic,” Estrada said.
That experience made a lasting impression, and Estrada says returning again to play the Sunset Concert is a great opportunity.

“Carbondale has always shown us love,” Estrada said. “This concert is a big deal for us — it’s a chance to play for a city that gave us one of our first real crowds.”

When it comes to his inspirations, Estrada cites legendary jazz trumpeters like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, but also contemporary artists like Christian Scott, whose genre-blending style pushed Estrada to define his own.
One of Estrada’s most personal songs is “Sacúdete,” Spanish-language track that translates roughly to “dust yourself off.”

Estrada also takes pride in his stage presence, often wearing traditional, high-shine baile — meaning dance — shirts for major shows as a nod to his roots. Despite touring successfully and gaining grassroots support, Estrada and his band have yet to release an album — something they plan to change this year.

“Now we’re finally releasing songs this year — and I can’t wait to share that with everyone.”

As Estrada prepares to bring his band back to Carbondale, audiences can expect more than just a concert; it’s a celebration of music, artistic evolution and community connection.

The Sunset Concert Series continues to highlight artists like Estrada who offer not just entertainment, but a sense of cultural resonance and storytelling that speaks across generations.

Estrada’s concert begins Thursday at 7 p.m. at Turley Park. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

The final two Sunset Concerts of the year are slated for July 17 and July 24. The penultimate concert will feature Shawn Holt and the Teardrops on the Shylock Lawn, followed by a finale from The Mighty Pines in the same spot a week later.

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