A Train Music — Simply the Best
At A Train Music, we bring more than live music—we create an atmosphere.
Our signature sound features a unique blend of New Orleans–inspired jazz, performed by our dynamic jazz quintet or customized to fit your event with a duo, trio, quartet, solo piano, or other musical configuration. From smooth jazz and blues to upbeat New Orleans favorites, we tailor the experience to your venue, audience, and occasion.
Looking for something more interactive? Experience the A Train Piano Bar Scene—a lively, engaging evening built around the piano and the songs everyone knows and loves. Guests can enjoy favorites from Billy Joel, Elton John, Top 40 hits, classic rock, pop standards, sing-along favorites, and audience requests. It’s not just background music—it’s an experience that invites the crowd to become part of the show.
Whether you're planning an upscale dinner, private celebration, corporate event, resort evening, cocktail hour, or a full Piano Bar Night, A Train Music can customize the entertainment to create exactly the atmosphere you're looking for.
A Train Music
New Orleans Jazz • Piano Bar • Live Entertainment • Customized Ensembles
Simply the Best.
Chester J. Arizmendi
Owner, Founder & Musician
A Train Music was founded by Chester J. Arizmendi, a professional musician whose passion for performance, music education, and service spans decades.
Chester’s musical journey includes service as a musician in the United States Army Band.
Following his military service, he continued pursuing his passion for music and, in 1999, formally established a music service originally known as "The Best Music & Rates Anywhere.” As the business grew and its services expanded, it evolved into A Train Music—a name with deep personal and musical significance.
The “A” in A Train proudly represents the Arizmendi family and honors Chester’s late father, Jose Arizmendi, whose musical legacy greatly influenced Chester and his family. Jose served for 20 years with the United States Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps, establishing a tradition of musicianship and service that continues through the Arizmendi family today.
The name also pays tribute to Duke Ellington’s legendary jazz standard, “Take the ‘A’ Train,” which became A Train Music’s official theme and sign-off song. The connection is especially meaningful to Chester, who attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., alongside his older brother, Jose.
A Train Music began by meeting a need in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, providing professional music and band services to private schools throughout the region. Chester later established an Academy of Music & Piano Instruction, partnered with The Spirit of Music in Brownsville, and developed music programs for Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese of Brownsville.
While music education has remained an important part of his career, Chester’s greatest passion has always been live performance. Today, he continues performing throughout the region while leading A Train Music in providing professional entertainment ranging from New Orleans-inspired jazz and customized ensembles to solo piano and the interactive A Train Piano Bar Scene.
At its heart, A Train Music represents a family musical legacy, a lifetime of professional experience, and one simple commitment: creating memorable experiences through exceptional live music.
A Train Music — Simply the Best.
Chester J. Arizmendi
Owner, Founder & Musician
A Train Music was founded by Chester J. Arizmendi, a professional musician whose passion for performance, music education, and service spans decades.
Chester’s musical journey includes service as a musician in the United States Army Band. Following his military service, he continued pursuing his passion for music and, in 1999, formally established a music service originally known as “The Best Music & Rates Anywhere.” As the business grew and its services expanded, it evolved into A Train Music—a name with deep personal and musical significance.
The “A” in A Train proudly represents the Arizmendi family and honors Chester’s late father, Jose Arizmendi, whose musical legacy greatly influenced Chester and his family. Jose served for 20 years with the United States Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps, establishing a tradition of musicianship and service that continues through the Arizmendi family today.
The name also pays tribute to Duke Ellington’s legendary jazz standard, “Take the ‘A’ Train,” which became A Train Music’s official theme and sign-off song. The connection is especially meaningful to Chester, who attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., alongside his older brother, Jose.
A Train Music began by meeting a need in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, providing professional music and band services to private schools throughout the region. Chester later established an Academy of Music & Piano Instruction, partnered with The Spirit of Music in Brownsville, and developed music programs for Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese of Brownsville.
While music education has remained an important part of his career, Chester’s greatest passion has always been live performance. Today, he continues performing throughout the region while leading A Train Music in providing professional entertainment ranging from New Orleans-inspired jazz and customized ensembles to solo piano and the interactive A Train Piano Bar Scene.
At its heart, A Train Music represents a family musical legacy, a lifetime of professional experience, and one simple commitment: creating memorable experiences through exceptional live music.
A Train Music — Simply the Best.
Jose Arizmendi, Jr.
Musician
Born in Brownsville, Texas, Jose Arizmendi, Jr. began his musical journey at just five years old, learning trumpet while his father served with the United States Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps. At age ten, he discovered the clarinet—an instrument that would become a lifelong passion and an integral part of his musical identity.
Jose graduated from the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. in 1994 before following in his father’s footsteps and enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a Marine musician. During two tours of service, he performed throughout the United States and internationally at numerous high-profile events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Mardi Gras Krewe parades in New Orleans, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax, Canada, and the 2000 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. His performance career also included a tour of Western Canada with the House of Blues, traveling from Edmonton to Vancouver.
After being medically retired from the Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant in 2002, Jose returned to higher education while continuing his work as a musician and educator. He taught private instrumental and piano lessons, directed band and choir programs from the elementary through high school levels, and provided professional band-instrument repair services throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Jose later pursued advanced studies in mental health and transitioned from music education into private practice as a psychotherapist. In 2011, Dr. Arizmendi founded Cascadas Counseling, which grew to serve communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley while also providing clinical supervision to interns representing eight universities. He ultimately closed the practice in 2019 due to health considerations.
Throughout every chapter of his professional life, however, music has remained a constant. Affectionately known as “Dr. Joe,” he has performed alongside his brothers throughout his life and has been part of A Train Music since its inception.
His musical influences are as diverse as his career, ranging from the legendary clarinet sounds of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Pete Fountain, Barney Bigard, Richard Stoltzman, and Sidney Bechet to the unmistakable energy of Metallica.
Today, Dr. Joe brings to A Train Music a rare combination of professional musicianship, military performance experience, versatility, and a lifetime of making music with family.