Todo Mundo ("All the World") blends the musical flavors of samba, rumba, reggae, and other South American and Caribbean styles into an irresistible groove that lifts the spirits of all who hear it. Led by Santiago Orozco, a Colombian native, Todo Mundo can perform in any setting, from adding pleasant ambiance to a private event to filling a nightclub dance floor with sweat and passion.
Musico Ambulante By Mary Leary | Published Saturday, March 20, 2010
Through indifference or ignorance, Santiago has been busking at the southern end of the North Park Farmer's Market (Queen Bee's usually claims the north side). Santiago needs money and players for a new conjunto; there's no time to wait for official gigs in enclosed spaces. A 23-year-old Columbian via Argentina, he has a matador's nimble reaction to a challenging start: as he strums his first chord, a large woman rounds the corner on a double-wide bike, crowding his left side. Halfway through the song, when a disabled woman throws a dollar a foot away from his tip hat, he stops to retrieve the dollar and pat her on the shoulder before running for a napkin to sop up the drink she's spilled on his blanket. Undaunted by this or the violinist who's been collaborating with him -- today a no-show -- he digs into some original folk and reggae. When singer and djembe-player George arrives, the spark of collaboration ignites as his harmonies join Santiago's bright tenor. Sometimes nearby vendors applaud or someone stops to offer a compliment or a dollar. A woman asks if Santiago plays parties and buys a CD. George leaves for yoga class. Santiago plays "Tumba Esa Negra," a lilting song with which the Gipsy Kings could fashion a monster hit. The sky's clouded up; customers are waning. I hope this guy doesn't give up.
They are South Africa’s most promising pop-rock act since forever, and with sales climbing fast, a ubiquitous radio presence and a lead singer possessed of a cracking voice, good looks and the business savvy of a CEO, Love Jones are poised to become enormous. It’s time to meet the Joneses. They are South Africa’s most promising pop-rock act since forever, and with sales climbing fast, a ubiquitous radio presence and a lead singer possessed of a cracking voice, good looks and the business savvy of a CEO, Love Jones are poised to become enormous. It’s time to meet the Joneses. “We want to build an empire,” says Esjay Jones, aka ‘Miss Jones’, Love Jones’ 23-year-old lead singer. “It’s a lot of hard work. I have absolutely no life aside from Love Jones. And the honest truth is that Love Jones is my love. Everything goes into it.”
She’s not a bit arrogant, but one wouldn’t describe Love Jones’ lead singer as modest. Esjay has mentioned in interviews before that she sees Love Jones selling as many albums as The Foo Fighters and Britney Spears in five years time. She doesn’t know it, but before we met I had seen her walk into the editorial office of one of the country’s top youth magazines to suggest that she appear on the cover of the next issue. She walked out with a feature guaranteed and a handful of new fans. The nonchalance with which she delivers such lofty quotes is disarming; after a few seconds waiting for a wry chuckle that never comes, you begin to see that she means every word. Love Jones can rest in the knowledge that their lead singer has already proven her saleability in the most competitive market on the planet. Shortly before starting Love Jones, Esjay was offered a record deal in the USA as a solo artist, but had to turn it down after her visa was denied. “For the past six years, I’ve been preparing, saving every cent,” she says. “We don’t want to be another plod along South African band that never gets anywhere because we can’t make anything happen ourselves. The truth of the matter is that it takes money to make money.” Esjay still has her sights set on America.
The Joneses were invited by Sarah Bettens (former lead-singer of K’s Choice) to support her at the world famous Viper Room in LA. A lack of timing to sort out the necessary paperwork did however cause for them not to make the trip. They will return Stateside for a full tour from mid-June to mid-August.
Esjay has always known she would be a musician, but even she has had her wobbles. She briefly considered throwing in the towel after hearing that she had lost the US deal, but a conversation with Peter Jones at a Squeal gig in Durban changed her mind. The pair founded Love Jones in January 2005 and performed their first show to rapturous approval at Kwazulu-Natal’s Splashy Fen Festival months later. Not interested in waiting to be signed, Esjay and Peter started their own record label, WE LOVE JONES FORESHORE! Records, with Esjay taking on the role of Label Manager. She visited radio stations herself and charmed them into slipping a single or two onto their playlist. By the time Love Jones was signed by Sheer in early 2006, they already had a single in the charts and a complete, professionally recorded album on shelves. Sheer then re-released the album and, suddenly, Love Jones was everywhere.
The first single "Kicks" peaked at No. 2 on the ‘High 5 at 5’ on 5Fm and quickly barged its way into the Top 10 on Highveld Stereo’s HomeBru chart, Tuks Fm and Radio Puk SA, where it went to No.1. A coveted place among the internationally overrun Highveld ‘Hot 30’ was the icing on the cake. The music video for "Kicks" is also on the highest rotation on MK89, the country’s most popular local music channel. As the single climbed the charts, Love Jones toured the country tirelessly, playing one week to rock lovers at a dingy bar in Potchefstroom and the next in front of thousands at Oppikoppi, Aardklop and the Levi’s Rage for the Revolution concert, alongside the country’s top acts. When they drove from one venue to the next and “Kicks’ came on the radio, Esjay would lean out of the window and scream “We’re on the radio!” at passers by. For Esjay, one sniff at success was enough. She was hooked.
“It’s been amazing to see radio stations get behind us,” says Esjay. “Success is a package deal. We know that we need the radio in order to get where we’re going. If they don’t get alongside us we’re fucked.” With her band mates listening like devoted employees, she dominates the conversation, using words like “marketability” and terms like “package deal”. She talks of how many “units” the album might sell. Throughout the interview it’s obvious that Miss Jones is as much the sexy lead singer as she is the shrewd and formidable businesswoman. Esjay’s attitude is shared by her band mates. It’s refreshing that Love Jones are under no illusions as to how their success might come about. Instead of gathering in a smelly garage smoking weed and bitching about the industry, Esjay and the original members financed the first album themselves, having asked for – and bizarrely been awarded – a substantial bank loan. It wasn’t as easy as walking into a bank in knackered converse and tights and asking for a lump of cash, but it was close. These days, they’re setting their sights decidedly higher. “We are the first band that could compete on the international market,” says Esjay. “We need a million rand. Someone needs to give us that.” That someone is likely to do more than okay from the investment.
There have been three changes to the line-up in less than two years. Antony Jones was replaced by former Perez drummer Mike Goddard (now Mike Jones, naturally), whose brief stint ended at the beginning of 2007. Isaac Jones, who earned his stripes with the fleeting but acclaimed Jozi band Airship Orange, is the latest substitution. Isaac, 24, describes his fellow Joneses as “no bullshit, simple, organised people”. He says he was stunned when he discovered that “Kicks”, Love Jones’ first hit single, belonged to a local band. “When first heard the band on radio I though this is definitely an international band…I was very impressed.” Needless to say, Isaac needed little convincing. The most significant change to the line-up has been the departure of co-founder Peter Jones, who left in November 2006. He made way for Jason Jones, 26, whose inclusion Esjay insists has been one of the highlights of the band’s short career. “Every time we needed to make a change your heart stops and you think ‘That’s it’, but every time it’s been better,” says Esjay. Bassist Steve, who behind Esjay is the longest serving Jones, nods vigorously at this observation.
Here’s something you’ve heard seventeen thousand times: This band has its own sound. But nothing comes from nothing, and Love Jones’ first album is not without roots. Growing up, Esjay was subjected to “really Christian, happy-clappy stuff, like Cliff Richard and Michael W Smith” but when she was on her own she preferred the classic rock of the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and the The Foo Fighters. “But I also love Britney Spears – pop, commercial radio stuff. The last album I bought was Roxette’s greatest hits. We’ve been busting that in the car lately.” Bass guitarist Steve was raised on a diet of Kool and the Gang, Yellow Jacket, George Benson and Billy Cassidy, which perhaps rebelliously steered him towards the off-beat indie of Gomez, The Shins and Islands.
Early on, Love Jones were described as a band that “combined the power of the Foo Fighters with the pop sensibility of Britney Spears”. This was apparently too complicated for most local reviewers and Esjay was furious to read reviews complaining that the music was nothing like Britney’s. “It wasn’t like we said ‘I sound exactly like Dave Grohl and look exactly like Britney Spears’”, says Esjay. South African reviewers have kept trying. SA Music tabloid did a better job than most: “The sound of celebrity, scandal, glamour and sophistication…Esjay’s voice burns leftfield rock hardness into their ingeniously arranged, super stadium-rock ballads.” But sooner or later you will have more than enough opportunities to decide for yourself; Love Jones have almost as many potential hit singles on their album as they do tracks. To discover what makes Love Jones different, it helps to ask the band members themselves. So, what makes Love Lones love Love Jones?
Steve: I’m not sure really. There’s a chemistry between us. It just works.
Esjay: We’re likeable. And quirky.
Isaac: We’re international standard.
Love Jones is so hot right now, and soon they will be inescapable. But they’re also just getting warmed up. They have an empire to build, remember.
Allegra has a voice...and she's not afraid to use it. She currently spends her days writing new material to add to her 50 plus originals, giving vocal instruction, broadening her guitar and vocal skills by adding new material to her cover song rep and in the meantime changing and altering the way the songs are done; she makes each and every song not-just-another-cover. And when the sun goes down, Allegra gets up, grabs her guitar, hops in her '72 Scout and takes off to any number of gigs that she plays nightly all around San Diego and Los Angeles: Cowboy bar downtown? Done. Wine Bar in Hillcrest? Yes. Posh grill in La Jolla? Certainly. Irish pub in the Gaslamp? You bet. Beach bar on the drag in Pacific Beach? She's there belting out her tunes with her twelve string ovation strapped to her chest, flip flops on her feet, business cards in hand and cd's for sale.
Allegra's vocals are almost impossible to liken to any one performer. Imagine Etta James meets Ella Fitzgerald meets Alanis meets Janice Joplin. And with a touch of country storytelling in her lyrics, sprinkled with some silly, outgoing, personable humor in between tunes, all you need is the cherry on top! An instant bond with her audiences is inevitable and her amazing rhythms never fail to get them dancing. Venue patrons and owners alike love Allegra not only because of her top-notch musicianship, professionalism and quality but also because of the passion and energy that she consistently brings to the stage.
Yvette Marie Stevens became Chaka Khan at the age of 13 after joining an African musicgroup called the Shades of Black. She officially became Chaka Adunne Aduffe Yemoja Hodarhi Karifi after a naming ceremony by a Yorubapriest. When I listened to her powerful voice while growing up in the mean streets of Detroit, I always wondered where her wild name came from! I'm a long way from home now, but every time I hear this song, it takes me all the way back to my roots.
During the brief reunion with her group, Rufus, one of the pre-eminent funk groups of their decade, they recorded the album "Rufus and Chaka Khan Live! Stompin' at the Savoy" which included the top ten hit "Ain't Nobody...the song I am dedicating to the Readers today. For her thirty-plus years in the spotlight, Chaka Khan has virtually defined the term "Soul Diva," through a string of memorable, soulful performances and a singularly strong personality both as a member of Rufus and as a solo artist.
"Electronic angst for post-millennium punks." -San DiegoReader
"A sound whose genre goes something like; hip-hop, soul, elector, funk. You have two Emcees who charge sped-up lyrical flows; made to sound effortless. Rob & Burkey have realized an impressive and seamless synergy with their voices and their lyrics are playfully vivacious and positive. Set those lyrics atop the 5 piece band, layered with creative electro beats and it makes for a very fun and a dance-worthy music experience." Sam Dorman, NBC San Diego
Their Latest album "The New Kong" is in its final stages of production and will feature cameos from national and international acts such as Lateef the Truth Speaker (Mighty Underdogs, Latyrx, Blackalicious), J-Boogie (dubtronic science), RadioActive (Spearhead), The Mutaytor, Mc Souleye and BLVD, Freddy Machete (uber beat smith featured w/ Mac Dre, Andre Nikatina), Solovox...and MAS MAS MORE. "... On this bright San Francisco night it was the opening act Vokab Kompany that really blew us away...they kept the crowd going more than any opening act I have seen in a long while. Del was good but had I not known the tracks he was playing it might have gotten a bit stagnant. Vokab Kompany's record should be dropping soon, and there are some surprises, so stay tuned." Matt Halverson, PerfSpot.com
Southern-cali feel good song "That Day" -as featured on San Diego radio 91.X (91.1), SD, FM 94.9, and 102.1 KPRI, KVMR Nv City and just about every bar and club in the 92109. VK's debut album, Liquid Language, was released April 2007, and featured hip-hop legends Killer Priest (Wu Tang Clan), Main Flow (Mood) and many up and coming vocalists storming the west coast music scene (including Al Howard, Deploi, Kelley Mak, 3ntra-P and eventaully led Robbie to the collabs with Burkey).Burkey's other noteworthy accomplishments include being on the ballot for a Grammy in 2007 with band Native Root, an appearance on MTV Thailand with band Golden Triangle and Bakery Music, and as an opening performer for poet and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maya Angelou. "Gallo, whose stage name is Rob Hurt, has teamed up with Matt “Burkey”, the singer from the former Reno funk-jam band Native Root, to create a unique sound...backed by a five-piece band called Tonight’s Special Guests...Vokab Kompany has been selling out its shows consistently and moving up to some of the largest venues in their traveled cities." -Tim Parsons Tahoe Daily Tribune
The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal is groove laden folk rock that takes you on a musical road trip. Combining a little bit of every genre, the music's catchy hooks and heavy harmonies stay with you long after the party is over. The group consists of Cathryn Beeks and long time writing partner, Matt Silvia on guitar/vox, plus The Reverend Stickman, Marcia Claire and Rob Garbowski.We began recording Mood Swing in late January, 2008 at Berkley Sound, Jeff Berkley producing. Matt and I laid down rough versions of around 20 "Game" songs I'd written over the past 3 years and we decided on 12 of those plus a Paul Simoncover and a few others. Since The Ordeal had never heard most of the songs, we hired studio guys to expedite the process. I was pretty excited to work with Brian "Nucci" Cantrell and Rick Nash, they helped bring these songs to life. I was also blessed to have guests such as Dennis Caplinger, John McBride, Wes Wilkes, Ben Moore, Earl Schreyer, The Grass Gypsys, Barbara Nesbitt, Steph Johnson, Lisa Sanders and Karen "Brown Sugar" Hayes, Matt Hannifin, Becky Fleming, Bill Coomes and of course Matt Silvia, Jeff Berkley, The Reverend Stickman, Marcia Claire and Rob Garbo.Our generous sponsors and good friends who made it all happen: Kevin Moran, Miff Laracy, The Pollards, Kelley Martin, Jeannine Botting, Terry Collis, Jimmy Lunsford, Folding Mr. Lincoln, Dave Easton, Jeff Bertino, Dennis Driscoll, Brandy Toressi, Rex Castor, David Sims (TURK), Martha Sullivan, Ben McGrath and Sue Skala, Becky Veen, The Beeks, Irisa Barry and especially Adam Paul. Get the new CD Click Here
Tantalizing…Titillating…Talented! The Caburlesque Kittens have been mesmerizing audiences with their live and interactive cabaretdance show in venues all over San Diego County since June of 2008. Filled with sex appeal, talent, drive and class, these ladies are the real deal! Their show is loaded with retro sex appeal. It’s pure entertainment for the ladies and a good old-fashioned teasing for the men. By combining classic Cabaret with elements of Burlesque, these sexy kittens please and impress every crowd…every show! A Caburlesque Kittens show is very wink-and-nod, and there tends to be a humorous and theatrical flair to the routines. You won’t see them in g-strings and nipple tassels…but you won’t miss them either. Their beautiful costumes…often based in classy lingerie…are sexy. Their intricately choreographed and skillfully executed dance moves…are sexy. The amazing array of talent on display…dancing, comedy and amazing singing…is very sexy. Their unique take on all of the above…is very classy. Spend an evening with these eight sexy, classy, talented ladies and you’ll never forget it! Past performances include: NTC Promenade, Liberty Station The House of Blues Ruby Room Winston's Beauty Bar Cajon Classic Cruise Women's Expo, Orange County Garfield Theater at JCC La Jolla Mother Goose Parade Ocean Beach Christmas Parade The Kensington Club Brick By Brick Portugalia And many more... Upcoming Shows: Get Schooled with The Caburlesque Kittens at Brick By Brick September 12th! 8:30doors 9:00pm show Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the door For booking, please contact Director Chrissy Burns (aka Ophelia Kitty) at 619-818-5704 | StarshineEvents@cox.net The Caburlesque Kittens "Classic Cabaret meets Burlesque. Now THAT's sexy!"
Here is your chance to see the Tribute band Roundabout that is the nations premiere tribute to The original band Yes are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968 and generally regarded as one of the archetypal bands of the genre. Despite a great many lineup changes, occasional splits within the group and the ever-changing trends in popular music, the band has continued on for over forty years and still retains a large following.[1]
The band's music blends symphonic and other 'classical' structures with their own brand of rock music, which is marked by sharp dynamic contrasts, extended song lengths, abstract lyrics, and a general showcasing of instrumental prowess. Although the band's sole consistent member has been bass player Chris Squire (noted for his highly melodic and discursive playing as well as his early use of electronic effects), Yes is also generally noted for the distinctive high-register vocals of lead singerJon Anderson and the eclectic musical stylings of a succession of guitarists (Peter Banks, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Billy Sherwood), keyboard players (Tony Kaye, Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes, Igor Khoroshev) and drummers (Bill Bruford and Alan White). Several band members became celebrated musicians and/or bandleaders in their own right, and a 1980 lineup of the band was briefly fronted by future production star Trevor Horn.
Long-term band members Squire, Howe and White have most recently been touring (on the In The Present Tour of late 2008 and early 2009) with a Yes lineup featuring vocalist Benoît David and keyboardist Oliver Wakeman. So don't miss you chance to see Roundabout November 28th 8pm Ramona Mainstage to get you tickets .
Maria Naccari-Beahan Runhoney is a San Diego based alternative/rock band. Lead vocals/guitar- Sarah Harmel, Drums- Emily O'Bannon, Bass guitar-Maria Naccari-Beahan. sarah and emily became friends first, then sarah soon found out emily could play the f*ck out of the drums..... and its been on ever since... THE HUNT FOR THE PERFECT BASS PLAYER THEN BEGAN. AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH SOME UNSAVORY BASSISTS, THE GIRLS BEGAN TO BECOME CONCERNED THAT THEY WOULD NEVER FIND THAT PERFECT ADDITION TO THEIR SOUND. ENTER MARIA. USING HER SUPERPOWERS, SHE INSTINCTUALLY KNEW THAT THE GIRLS WERE IN TROUBLE. SHE TRACKED THEM DOWN AND SAVED THEM FROM CERTAIN DOOM. FORMERLY A NUN, THIS BASS KILLAH WAS THE ANSWER TO THEIR PRAYERS. WITHIN ONE MONTH OF PLAYING TOGETHER, THESE THREE (NOW OFFICIALLY RUNHONEY) RECORDED THEIR EP AND BEGAN TOURING THE SOUTHWEST GAINING MOMENTUM AND BUILDING THEIR FAN BASE. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF OF PLAYING TOGETHER AT BIGGER AND BETTER VENUES, AND TIGHTENING THEIR SOUND, THE GIRLS STARTED TO FEEL LIKE SOMETHING (OR SOMEONE) WAS MISSING. WANTING TO ADD ANOTHER GUITAR PLAYER, THEY WERE UNSURE AOBUT *AGAIN* FINDING THE PERFECT PERSON TO COMPLETE THEIR SOUND. ENTER MEGAN JANE.... MEGAN (THE SHAPE-SHIFTER) FIRST APPEARED TO THEM AS A PHENOMENAL DRUMMER, PLAYING SHOWS WITH THE TOP NOTCH TALENT IN SAN DIEGO AND LA. LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THIS RED HEADED, CURLY HAIRED CHAMELEON WAS ALSO A CRAZY-ROCKIN'-TASTY GUITARIST! SARAH, EMILY AND MARIA ASKED MEGAN TO PLAY ON THEIR TRACKS IN THE STUDIO AND THEN ASKED HER TO PLAY WITH THEM ON STAGE AT SEVERAL SHOWS. THEY WERE HOOKED! THAT'S WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR... RUNHONEY WAS COMPLETE. NOW, RUNHONEY IS UNSTOPPABLE WITH POWERFUL VOCALS, ADDICTIVE SONG WRITING AND A SICK ASS RHYTHM SECTION. RUNHONEY IS CURRENTLY IN THE STUDIO WITH PRODUCER, ALICIA CHAMPION, FINISHING THEIR 1ST FULL LENGTH CD. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THEIR CD, RUNHONEY WILL CONTINUE TOURING THE WEST COAST WITH NATIONAL DATES TO FOLLOW.
"WHAT ROCK BAND DELIVERS LOOKS? ...TALENT? ...AND BRAINS? I SAY: RUNHONEY!! THIS BAND HAS THE POTENTIAL, THE FOCUS AND THE DRIVE TO DO MANY SPECIAL THINGS! IF YOU TRULY LISTEN, YOU'LL SEE EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN. DO NOT TAKE THIS BAND FOR GRANTED.............. THEY'RE FAR MORE THAN WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTING!"
Dave Wilson - Producer/Host of "The Dirty Dave Show" -KCLA FM
"I HAVEN'T SEEN A [@?$%&] BAND LIKE THIS IN 16 YEARS."
Al Bowman - Producer/Founder of the Los Angeles Music Awards
