FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006, 12:45-2PM
Zatarain's Stage - Hibernia Pavilion
Sponsored by Angeli - Cafe/Restaurant, 1141 Decatur Str.
Jokubas Ziburkus 504-606-1505 or e-mail: jziburku@gmu.edu - Houston
and DC
Roberta Grove at 504-524-5377 NOLA and around
Ya Ya Sol History and Photos: Formed in 1999, New Orleans
In 1999, inspiring friendships, mutual love of World-Carribean music, and the right winds form the Gulf of Mexico brought five talented musicians to form Ya Ya Sol. Our style of music was then self-dubbed as "La Otra Musica Latina". The first rehearsals and performances took place at Don and Damon's house Uptown. However, after a few months, Ya Ya Sol developed an impressive (~30 song) repertoire. The music reflected an eclectic musical and cultural background of the band and established a unique niche in New Orleans Latin/World music scene. Ya Ya Sol draws its musical influences from classical Ecuadorian, Colombian, Cuban, Blue grass, Jazz, Brasilian, Carribean, New Orleanian, Eastern European, and Reggae beats creating a new sound. The band is constantly reinventing rules for the classics and composing powerful originals. Right from the start, the word about this entertaining tropical-tasting blend spread quickly. After just a couple of shows, Ya Ya Sol built its fan base which always consists of a diverse and outstanding group of individuals. Ya Ya Sol experience was no longer just music - it is music with the best company one can imagine!
Over the next few years on the music scene, Ya Ya Sol was performing at some of the best New Orleans music venues, including Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, House of Blues, Café Brasil, Blue Nile, Dragon's Den, Hooka Café, Apple Barrel. Some of our most memorable performances are opening acts which give us opportunities to share the same stage and interact with such classics as Eliades Ochoa and innovators as Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.
Ya Ya Sol's 2002 studio/live recorded CD called Ya Ya Sol contains recordings by some of the best New Orleans Latin-Jazz musicians, like flaustist Hart McKnee and trombonist Harry Rios. (For CD reviews see the links in the previous pages). That same year Juan, Jokubas, and Tom moved from New Orleans, yet came back to reunite for a very succesfull Jazz Fest 2002 performance and a CD release party at the Louisiana Music Factory.
With a couple of original members away, the band again was innovating the sound through the ever-changing cast of performers. Don Williams standing at the helm of the band, regrouped some of the original members (Damon and Hart; Jokubas also continues to be actively involved with Ya Ya Sol music and promotion) and added a couple of outstanding individuals to its ranks: drummer Tom Chute and bass player Ryan Clute. In 2003, just a few short months later, Don was fluently singing in Spanish and Portuguese. English songs are also a part of the new repertoire with the even more expanded borders. Ya Ya Sol's vibe can best be described as a "Latin-inspired World Music Fusion Band". The band continues to innovate its sound and is actively performing in New Orleans (sometimes as a trio). Our last performance at the French Quarter festival 2005 was a huge success and we look forward to creating a new CD recording in the summer of 2005….
This may give you an idea of Ya Ya Sol, but there is more to Ya Ya Sol experience that one can fit in on a web-page. The best way to know it is to come to one of our shows. Hope you can make it and say "hello".
Jokubas
Ya Ya Sol outside Tom's (rehearsal) house. Left to right: Juan, Jokubas, Tom, Damon, and Don.