Oriente's distinctive sound comes from deep Afro-Cuban roots
and rhythms mixed with Jazz, Blues and Brazilian influences. The
band began their first tour in 1994 at famed New Orleans Jazz club
"Snug Harbor" where their sizzling, rhythmic and melodic Afro-Cuban
sounds created a buzz among the best musicians in town along with
audiences used to cutting edge music performances ala New Orleans.
Oriente continues to record and perform creative original music with fresh
arrangements and exciting stage presence.
the story
Formed in 1993 by Cuban-born guitarist/composer Eddy Balzola, Oriente’s sound features funky, guitar driven tumbaos, brass, and Afro-percussion - fusing Cuban roots with Blues, Jazz, Caribbean and Brazilian influences. Created as a vehicle of expression, Oriente continues to break the endless "Latin Pop" cycle threatening to hold Miami hostage. Their first New Orleans concert in 1994 at Snug Harbor Jazz Club created a buzz, attracting local musicians and world class audiences excited by their Cuban roots fusion. That scene thoroughly impacted Balzola and continues to influence Oriente’s soulful sound.
The band’s 3rd cd release TEN SPACES IN TIME opens with an unexpected, spicy Blues and continues with explosive Afro-Latin originals plus fresh takes on classics by Charles Mingus, Bob Marley, Jaco Pastorius and more. Moments of this recording are dedicated to too many lost friends and family and with deep appreciation for their lives, souls and inspiration.
Band members feature Eddy Balzola (guitar/voc/perc), Stuart King (trumpet), William Paredes (trombone/voc), Yoel Del Sol (perc/voc), Pepe Aparicio (bass/voc) and Orlando Machado (drums/perc/voc). Along the way they’ve all played and recorded with some of the best incl Mongo Santamaria, Israel Cachao Lopez, Willie Nelson, Babatunde Olatunji, Jaco Pastorius, Celia Cruz, Candido Camero, Yma Sumac, Miguel Cruz, Jimmy Riley, Isaac Delgado, Mandrill... Bandleader Balzola has had the great honor to share the stage with some of New Orleans finest including Patrice Fisher, Michael Skinkus, Doug Belote, Hector Gallardo, Ralph Gipson, Rick Trolsen, Anders Osborne, Kirk Joseph, Big Chief Monk Boudreau, Andy Wolf, Brent Rose, Wayne Maureau, Sam Price, Pupi...
Oriente plays all kinds of gigs: St. Lucia Jazz Festival (BWI), Snug Harbor Jazz Club, Café Brasil, Dream Palace/Cafe Istanbul, Loyola & Tulane Universities, TwiRoPa and Jeff Fest (New Orleans/Metairie, La), South Florida Jazz & Heritage Festival; MOJA Pan-African and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals (Charleston, SC), Bele Chere Arts & Music Fest (Asheville, NC), Caribbean Soul Celebration, Van Dyke Cafe, Arturo Sandoval’s Jazz Club, Tobacco Road, Books and Books (Coral Gables), Mardi Gras Fiesta Tropicale, Clambake Music & Seafood Fest (opening for Trombone Shorty, Terrance Simien) Viva Broward Fest (opening for Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin), Atlantis Casino (Nassau, Bahamas), Hon-dah Casino (Apache Nation, AZ), Live on The Food Network’s Food Nation with Chef Bobby Flay, a tour of Iceland, England & Germany etc...
Contact Oriente at:
Ankalatama Music//Superb Artists Management
office 954-929-6908, cell 954-554-1800
www.myspace.com/superbartists
