Oriente
Hollywood, Florida, United States
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
I look forward to performances by Eddy Balzola and Oriente. I have seen and heard Oriente over the years and have always been moved by the band's musical mezcla of Afro-Cuban beat with American Jazz and rock influences. What you get from Oriente is a great sound that urges you tap your feet and dance. I've done both. Catch Oriente for guaranteed stimulation--you can't help but dance (if only on the inside) at their energy.
July 2007
Jonathan Rose
Cultural Correspondent
CULTURAL BULLETIN
Miami, Florida 33130
http://www.cultureinthecity.org/ - http://www.cultureinthecity.org
Discography
Debut CD - ORIENTE (1997)
ORIENTE - Searching For A Blue Unseen (2003)
ORIENTE - ten spaces in time (2006)
Public radio, Internet radio airplay -
Redemption Song, The Chicken, California Cruzao, Rumba Pa Rockincha, Desde El Mar Muerto, Buscando etc.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The band was formed in 1993 by Cuban-born guitarist Egidio Balzola after years of touring with all kinds of bands. Oriente's sound came through the fusion of Balzola's deep Afro-Cuban roots with Blues, Jazz, Caribbean & Brazilian influences. Their first gig in New Orleans in 1994 attracted musicians and world class audiences at famed Snug Harbor Jazz Club plus around town at popular venues, festivals & concerts including Dream Palace, Cafe Brasil, The Mermaid, Loyola & Tulane Universities... It was in that soulful city that the young band felt at home and took advantage of that fertile ground to develop their signature sound.
Bandmembers have played & recorded with artists including Mongo Santamaria, Babatunde Olatunji, Cachao, Jaco Pastorius, Patato Valdes, Celia Cruz, Habana Sax Quartet, Jimmy Riley, Willie Stewart (Third World), Yma Sumac... Recent gigs include
St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Bele Chere Arts & Music
Fest (Asheville, NC), Piccolo Spoleto (Charleston, SC), MOJA Pan-African Festival (Charleston), Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club, Tobacco Road, Caribbean Soul Celebration (Miami), Key West Cuban Heritage Festival, Concert Tour - England, Germany, Finland and Iceland...
full bio, performance listing and merchandise available on website.
More music samples at http://cdbaby.com/cd/orientemusic.
Links
