U-ka

Inspired by "Solu-Khumbu:The Trek to Everest."A photographic journal by Tim Hauf.
U-ka means " brightness".... the stardance light that fills the sea..."I found this description in a children's book I was reading my son about the whales living in the Alaskan seas It reminded me of the same light I would see looking out of my loungeroom window onto the Pacific Ocean,as a kid growing up in Australia." Naomi
U-Ka is a new-century world music collective. It’s spontaneous, and ever changing - from the band members to the style of music. U-ka is “the bones of rock, the flesh of blues, and soul’s psychic heart.” says band member Gregory Slay. U-ka weaves the listener through a sound fest of unforgettable songs; based in the blues; texturally moody; some Jazz influences and a bit of rock; a modern 21st century renaissance soundscape. Their sound has fast become a favorite of those in the music “know” across the globe. Renowned for their impressive live shows and soulful sound U-Ka has rapidly built a fan base that extends around the world selling out shows from Australia to England, including London’s famous club, ‘Borderline’. All without the involvement of a major record label.
U-ka was created by Australian singer, songwriter and, multi-instrumentalist NAOMI LOUISE WARNE in 1993 when she lived in New Orleans.The inspiration of this city & her collaboration with the great jazz saxophonist Charles Neville ( Neville Brothers) produced some fabulous "live" performaces, including the New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival,and the U-Ka "live" at Snug Harbour CD -proceeds to hurricane relief)
Naomi began her career at an early age singing lead vocals for Australia's Young Northside Big Band. They performed at the esteemed Monterey Jazz Festival where Naomi caught the eye of Jazz Legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Joe Williams, and Buddy Rich. John Lewis of the ‘Modern Jazz Quartet’ was so taken by her voice that he compared her to the “Late, great Julie London.”
Naomi graduated from the New South Wales Music Conservatorium (Australia) in Jazz Studies, and also holds a BA in Psychology. She spent her 20’s making a mark in the Australian music scene as the voice behind numerous movie and television theme songs, including the popular children's show 'Wonderworld', TV commercials and, as an in-demand session player. Her original music has turned up all over Australia, featured in TV mini-series and, the pick for ‘theme song’ for the ‘2000 Sydney Olympics’. Her song. ‘Shine on Me’, beat out thousands of entries, including submissions by world famous artists such as INXS.
Naomi has worked with such industry giants as Falchner 0’Kelly (Sinead O’Conner, Bananarama) and Malcolm McLaren (Sex Pistols, New York Dolls, Bow Wow Wow); and jazz greats Charles Neville and Herb Mickman. Rob Hirst from ‘Midnight Oil’ calls her “One of Australia’s most gifted blues singers.”
In 2004 Naomi recorded ‘Bermagui’, the first album release by U-ka, featuring Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) at the legendary Winslow Court Studios in Los Angeles. ‘Bermagui was a huge success, revealing strong and beautiful songs by Naomi and Nicholas Charles.In addition to having two number one songs on i-Tunes in the Blues section , it was featured three times on MSN’s front page next to artists such as Eminem and also won a variety of ‘best of' Internet awards, culminating in U-Ka winning ‘Indie Artist of the Year’ Europe 2004.
While recording ‘Bermagui’, Naomi met drummer Gregory Slay (formerly of Remy Zero) who was recording in the next room. In spite of their very different styles and histories, there was an immediate bond and mutual respect for one other. Gregory’s drumming is extolled as some of the best in the world by the ‘emo/screamo’ kids and many of rock & roll’s elite. His unique talents bring a welcome edge to U-ka’s already delightfully complex sound, showcased by Solu Khumbu CD
Take Naomi’s smokey bluesy voice over Gregory’s soundscapes and legendary drumming, add some of Jazz’ greats (Charles Neville, James Singleton, Herb Taylor, Larry Sieberth, Jim Lassen, Kristen Gaitenby, Gregory Boyd) and a handful of Rock & Roll’s most eminent; Cedric Le Moyne (Remy Zero, Alanis Morrisette,Gnarls Barkley), Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil, Russel Crowe’s band -The Ordinary Fear of God), Mark Simms – Bass; (Ben Harper), Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero, Beck), Takeshi (Ziggy Marley), Kevin Longden – Guitars; (John Fogerty), Rami (Wallflowers,Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl, Keith Urban), Jeff Young (Sting, Alanis Morrisette, Bruce Springsteen) and Christian Scott, and the outcome is the diverse and unique sound that is U-ka.
GREGORY SCOTT SLAY died on January 1st 2010,in Bodega Bay, Northern California. In his short 40 years he was the best, he was a master & pure inspiration. He will be greatly missed. I had the privilege & blessing to know & work with him in the studio & live gigs over the course of Bermagui & Solu Khumbu CDs. Featured tracks above from SOLU KHUMBU ... gratitude & love
Management: [email protected]
Click on the Picture below to Buy my New Album 'Solu Khumbu'
Click on the Picture below to Buy my STUDIO ALBUM! 'BERMAGUI'
Click on the Picture below to Buy my LIVE ALBUM!
Click on the Picture below to Buy my 'Live at Snug Harbor' Album featuring Charles Neville