YOMA (Your Mama's Mama's Mama's Band)

"YoMa evokes a timeless feel-good era of musical exploration, spirituality and good vibrations. We can all use a little love from your mama's band." Andy Gadiel, Founder & President of Jambase.com

Officially founded in San Francisco in 2007, Your Mama's Mama's Mama's Band (YoMa) began more than a decade ago with the musical and spiritual journey of primary songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Shaktivan. "I searched through the full tapestry of music around San Francisco and around the world looking for an 'All Earth Band' - a collection of musicians and artists from all walks of life, perspectives and cultures."

After many years on the road, Shaktivan landed back in San Francisco, met his goddess (Chilean born belly dancer and vocalist Jenny Simon), and began reconnecting with musician friends from college. In 2008 the first incarnation of YoMa emerged playing parties and eventually recorded their first album and music video, "Music My Medicine". In 2009, most of the original members departed (though they still make special appearances at live shows), and new members arrived to solidify the current YoMa: Shaktivan, Jenny, Paola (Jenny's twin, fellow belly dancer and vocalist), world traveler Breakfast (saxophone), Seanescy (percussion), and Oscar Urcuyo (bass).

After a string of shows along the Mexican Riviera in 2008, YoMa turned their energies to building their hometown fan base in 2009 and 2010, becoming the house band for Bollyhood Cafe, a beloved multi-cultural event space in San Francisco's Mission district, and performing at venues and festivals throughout the Bay Area, including headlining the 2010 North Beach Festival. Says owner Marco Senghor: "YoMa's quality of friendship shines all throughout the show, they create a refreshing atmosphere and are a pleasure to listen to. All of their melodies sound great and I really wish the world would discover the same joy."

Your Mama's Mama's Mama's Band's (YoMa) creates and cultivates transcendental musical experiences rich with spirit, love and celebration. By tapping into many genres of world-influenced roots music and cultures, YoMa creates a vibrant, energetic and positive vibe. With a diverse musical and performance catalog that includes pop, rock, funk, reggae, hip-hop, disco, bluegrass, comedy, and even belly dancing, YoMA is guaranteed to lift your mood, soothe your soul and get you dancing!

YoMa's new album, "Goodtimes", is scheduled for release in July of 2011. Recorded at Expressions Studio and Hyde Street Studio with engineers David Ogilvy (Digital Underground, Mr. Bungle, Peter Rowan) and Nathan Winters (Train, Forrest Day), Goodtimes was mixed and mastered by Brian Vessa (Sony Entertainment). Featuring all original songs by Shaktivan, special guests include Black Nature (Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars), Breez Evahflowin' (MC, NYC underground freestyle champion), Irina Mikailova (world renowned vocalist, Kazakhstan), and Trevor Garrod (Tea Leaf Green).

Booking contact: Stephen Cogswell, ym3band@gmail.com
Publicity contact: Stephanie Fields, stephanie@makeitbiggermama.com