The Umoja Orchestra was a Gainesville, FL-based band whose music incorporated elements from afrobeat, jazz, funk, afro-cuban as well as traditional African, Caribbean and South American styles like salsa and merengue. The band's instrumentation was modeled closely to bands such as Fela Kuti's Africa 70 and the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra.

Umoja Orchestra was a strong presence in the Gainesville music scene. The band was especially known for its energetic, crowd-pleasing, and dance-oriented live performances, usually selling out local venues and putting on spectacular shows. They have gone on three national tours, mostly through the East Coast, but as far as Texas. The name "Umoja" comes from the Swahili word for "unity".

Umoja Orchestra

Members

Sebastián López Velásquez: Guitar, Vocals, Charango, Accordion

Natalia Pérez: Vocals, Percussion

Michael Pedron: Bass

Michael Claytor: Banjo, Percussion

David Borenstein: Saxophone, Clarinet

Irving Campbell: Saxophone

Jason Prover: Trumpet

Evan Hegarty: Keyboard

Keegan Jerabek: Trumpet

Evan Garfield: Drumset

Doug Fischer: Trombone

Micah Shalom: Trombone

David Choo: Saxophone

Adam Finkelman: Percussion, Timbales

Scott Bihorel: Congas

Scott Clayton: Guitar

Paul Kronk: Guitar

Johnny Frias: Congas

Discography

Dinner at the Republic 2009

Abre la Puerta 2008

Umoja Means Unity 2007

See also

Afrobeat

Fela Kuti

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra

World Music

descarga

External links

Umoja Orchestra On Myspace

Official Website

Facebook Page

American funk musical groups

American jazz ensembles

American world music groups

Umoja Orchestra