Umoja Orchestra profile picture

Umoja Orchestra

The birth of the Latfrobeat

About Me

A band that can fill the stage with upwards of 10 people, Umoja is a mix of jazz, Latin, afro-beat, and funk; this, even, is too confining. And with an array of styles, people of all castes and colors flock together as one in a sea of positivity.’Umoja means Unity,’ as the band always assures their fans. When I first met with Umoja it was in a very intimate setting, the band members layered across a living room couch. As I listened to them talk, I realized the band was righteous and honest. Saturday night, to kick off the completion of the first Umoja album, they played a CD release show. I was blown away. No longer did I hear what they had told me, I felt it; I was moved by it. Every person in the sold out show, and even those listening from the streets, shared my same view.
Umoja. Unity. Oneness. Call the power of love what you wish, but call Umoja a band with a gift.
-grooveshark.com
***NOTICE TO TAPERS -- Unless otherwise noted, Umoja Orchestra is VERY MUCH in favor of having our shows taped (audio or video) and uploaded to the web for sharing and free distribution (all we ask is that you send us a copy, we'd love to have it).***
Umoja Orchestra recording "Abre La Puerta"

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/6/2005
Band Website: umojaorchestra.com
Band Members: Sebastian Lopez - Guitar, Accordion, Vocals
Natalia Perez- Vocals
Scott Clayton- Guitar
Michael Pedron - Bass
Jason Prover - Trumpet
Doug Fischer- Trombone
Evan Hegarty- Keyboard
David Borenstein - Saxophones, Clarinet
Irving Campbell- Alto Sax
Michael Claytor- Shekere, Banjo
Scott Bihorel - Congas, Flute
Adam Finkelman - Timbales
Evan Garfield - Drums
Paul Kronk- Engineer/Guitar

Influences: Fela Kuti, Hector Lavoe, James Brown...
Sounds Like: fun, groove, funky, dancing, love, happy, energy, beat, sweet, yeah
Record Label: The do-it-yourself kind
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Tour Help!?

Hello dear friends,We're are embarking on our first Summer tour in about two week and are all extremely excited about it. However a couple of our shows near the beginning of our tour have just fallen ...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:24:00 PST

REAX album review

Check it out:Umoja Orchestra: Where Everyone wins!...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:12:00 PST

Introducing Abre la Puerta

To our dear friends and fans:The past month or so has been especially intense for us. All 12 members of the Umoja Orchestra have been pouring every last bit of our energy into the record that has beco...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:13:00 PST

Bloooog from the studioooo!!!!

Hey guys and gals.  We've been in the studio for 3 days recording our new album, and we're having a really great time.  We've got a bunch of surprise special guests on the tracks, and with e...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:23:00 PST

Facebook users - Umoja now has a Facebook profile

http://ufl.facebook.com/profile.php?id=7033687563Be our friend, won't you?
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:21:00 PST

Magfest, Recording, and the Near Future

First, thanks to everyone that made Magfest such an amazing and memorable experience for us. I speak for all of us when I say that the whole experience was some of the most fun we have had in our live...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:26:00 PST

Thank you so much for last night.

After a summer of inactivity, Umoja returned last night to Common Grounds with our friends Suenalo (who was and always has been, mind-blowingly awesome). We are all so ecstatic at how well the show w...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:45:00 PST

New Video From Studio!

I finally edited and posted some of our studio footage from the recording of "umoja means unity" last winter, so i hope you all enjoy our silliness. also, we are all very excited for this upcoming yea...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:13:00 PST

Death in the Umoja Family

It happened Friday, April 20th, at about 10:05 P.M.  A brutal slaying committed by a barbaric quadruple-razorblade.  All of us in Umoja are shocked by the loss.  The fact that the victi...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:52:00 PST

Undie Run Show/New Pics

Well, friends, the Undie Run show was a great success.  Thanks to everyone who came out, no matter how much or how little clothing you were wearing.  This was, for most if not all of us, our...
Posted by Umoja Orchestra on Sat, 14 Apr 2007 11:18:00 PST