Eddy Balzola (guitar/voc/perc), Stuart King (trumpet), William Paredes (trombone/voc), Yoel Del Sol (perc/voc), Pepe Aparicio (bass/voc) and Orlando Machado (drums/perc/voc). members have played, recorded and toured with the best incl Mongo Santamaria, Israel Cachao Lopez, Willie Nelson, Babatunde Olatunji, Jaco Pastorius, Celia Cruz, Candido Camero, Yma Sumac, Jimmy Riley, Isaac Delgado, Mandrill and more.. Bandleader Balzola has had a ball sharing the stage with some of New Orleans finest: Patrice Fisher, Michael Skinkus, Doug Belote, Hector Gallardo, Ralph Gipson, Rick Trolsen, Anders Osborne, Kirk Joseph, Big Chief Monk Boudreau, Andy Wolf, Brent Rose, Wayne Maureau, Sam Price, Pupi...
Influences
RUBEN BLADES EDDIE PALMIERI MONGO SANTAMARIA FORT APACHE BAND ALLMAN BROTHERS TAJ MAHAL MILES DAVIS JOHN COLTRANE BENY MORE PAT METHENY JACO PASTORIUS DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND BONERAMA ROBERT JOHNSON ISRAEL CACHAO LOPEZ ERIC SUSOEFF JAMES TAYLOR
Oriente’s distinctive sound comes from deep Afro-Cuban roots
and rhythms mixed with Jazz, Blues and Brazilian influences. The
band began their first tour in 1994 at famed New Orleans Jazz club
"Snug Harbor" where their sizzling, rhythmic and melodic Afro-Cuban
sounds created a buzz among the best musicians in town along with
audiences used to cutting edge music performances ala New Orleans.
Oriente continues to record and perform creative original music with fresh
arrangements and exciting stage presence.
the story
Formed in 1993 by Cuban-born guitarist/composer Eddy Balzola, Oriente’s sound features funky, guitar driven tumbaos, brass, and Afro-percussion - fusing Cuban roots with Blues, Jazz, Caribbean and Brazilian influences. Created as a vehicle of expression, Oriente continues to break the endless "Latin Pop" cycle threatening to hold Miami hostage. Their first New Orleans concert in 1994 at Snug Harbor Jazz Club created a buzz, attracting local musicians and world class audiences excited by their Cuban roots fusion. That scene thoroughly impacted Balzola and continues to influence Oriente’s soulful sound.
The band’s 3rd cd release TEN SPACES IN TIME opens with an unexpected, spicy Blues and continues with explosive Afro-Latin originals plus fresh takes on classics by Charles Mingus, Bob Marley, Jaco Pastorius and more. Moments of this recording are dedicated to too many lost friends and family and with deep appreciation for their lives, souls and inspiration.
Band members feature Eddy Balzola (guitar/voc/perc), Stuart King (trumpet), William Paredes (trombone/voc), Yoel Del Sol (perc/voc), Pepe Aparicio (bass/voc) and Orlando Machado (drums/perc/voc). Along the way they’ve all played and recorded with some of the best incl Mongo Santamaria, Israel Cachao Lopez, Willie Nelson, Babatunde Olatunji, Jaco Pastorius, Celia Cruz, Candido Camero, Yma Sumac, Jimmy Riley, Clouds, Isaac Delgado, Mandrill. Bandleader Balzola has had the great honor to share the stage with some of New Orleans’ finest: Patrice Fisher, Michael Skinkus, Doug Belote, Hector Gallardo, Ralph Gipson, Rick Trolsen, Anders Osborne, Kirk Joseph, Big Chief Monk Boudreau, Andy Wolf, Brent Rose, Wayne Maureau, Sam Price, Pupi...
Oriente plays all kinds of gigs: St. Lucia Jazz Festival (British West Indies), Snug Harbor, Café Brasil, Dream Palace/Cafe Istanbul, Loyola & Tulane Univ., TwiRoPa and Jeff Fest (New Orleans/Metairie, La), MOJA Pan-African and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals (Charleston, SC), Bele Chere Arts & Music Fest (Asheville, NC), Caribbean Soul Celebration, Arturo Sandoval’s Jazz Club, South Florida Jazz & Heritage Festival, Tobacco Road, Books and Books (Coral Gables), Mardi Gras Fiesta Tropicale, Clambake Music & Seafood Fest (opening for Trombone Shorty, Terrance Simien) Viva Broward Fest (opening for Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin), Atlantis Casino (Nassau, Bahamas), Hon-dah Casino (Apache Nation, AZ), Live on The Food Network’s Food Nation with Chef Bobby Flay, a tour of Iceland, England & Germany etc...
Sound Of Vision in Concert August 23,2008 About Sound Of Vision Smooth Jazz is what we do. Smooth Jazz is what you get. Giving you the chance to enhance your life with good music that brings a soothing and relaxing blend of Contemporary Jazz instrumentals from the past three decades.Sound Of Vision is here to fufill your heart and soul of collection containing the sounds such as Sound Of Vision, Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons, Van morrison, Bobby Caldwell, Randy Crawford, Chuck Mangione, George Benson, David Sanborn, DeBarge, Chris Botti, Grover Washington Jr, Sting, Steve Wonder, Bobby Caldwel, Bill Withers, Four Play, Kenny G, Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, and the list goes on and on.
Hey, thanks for the friend's add. It's always a pleasure to meet cool, new people. Remember, D Guitars Miami is always there to take care of any guitar or bass repair/modification/customization situation!! Check out the custom crafted 47 piece Brian May Red Special in the picture, built by Doron Markowitz of D Guitars Miami!! Rock on!!
What's up Eddie.....Long time eh? Glad to see and hear that ur doing good and fulfilling your dreams.....hope to hook up with u sometime soon....stay true.
Thanks Eddy, for accepting me as your extended friend in this thing that we call MySpace. What space, man?!:-D
Oye, tu pensastes que te me hibas a escapar? Pues mira, te encontre. Your page is cool. Thanks for being a TRUE FRIEND. & make sure that you say hello to Holly for me, will ya? Thanks...:->
Check out Sound Of Vision LIVE When: Wed December 12 @ 9pm Where:The Cocolate Moose Music Cafe WE ARE LOCATED AT 9118 SR 84 IN DAVIE. WE ARE IN THE RIDGE PLAZA BETWEEN KABOOMS AND ROUND UP.
How Much: FREE
Dollar Drafts: Bud and Miller Light.
Contact:305-215-0062-954-474-5040
Scott Klarman-Sax Valerio Cantori-Keys Orlando Machado-Drums