Rey Fresco
Encyclopedia
Rey Fresco is a band from Ventura, California
that performs an eclectic mix of rock, reggae, world, soul and Latin music and features a 36 string arpa jarocha Veracruz harp as one of their lead instruments.
. Andrew Jones, surf board shaper, drum maker and drummer. Roger Keiaho, vocalist and guitarist, a native of Fiji and whose younger brother is NFL linebacker Freddy Keiaho, Shawn Echevarria, bassist. All brought their diverse personal and musical backgrounds together to create the band’s original sound.
Taking the name Rey Fresco (Spanish for Fresh King), the band began gigging constantly in their local market. From sell out performances at their hometown’s largest venue, The Ventura Theater to stand out sets at Santa Barbara’s West Beach Music Festival and Ventura’s Hillside Music Festival, the band developed a large underground following in the Southern California music scene.
In 2009, Rey Fresco was signed by Fitzgerald Hartley Management as the first artist on their upstart indie label, Eight O Five Records. The band’s debut, The People, was released digitally in the fall of 2009 and released physically in the fall of 2010. The band embarked on their first tour in support of the record in December 2009 opening for reggae legends, Toots and the Maytals.
The band’s instrumental version of the song “Pajaro Cu” is currently being used in a 2011 Ford Explorer
TV commercial. The commercial also features two of the band members, Moraza and Jones, performing.
Xocoyotzin “Xoco” Moraza - harp, requinto, guitar
Shawn Echevarria - bass
Andrew Jones - drums
, Colbie Caillat
, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ben Harper
, Little Feat
, G. Love & Special Sauce
, Taj Mahal
, Damian Marley
, Julian Marley
, Ziggy Marley
, Nas
, Ozomatli
Toots and the Maytals and Incubus.
Ventura, California
Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County, California, United States, incorporated in 1866. The population was 106,433 at the 2010 census, up from 100,916 at the 2000 census. Ventura is accessible via U.S...
that performs an eclectic mix of rock, reggae, world, soul and Latin music and features a 36 string arpa jarocha Veracruz harp as one of their lead instruments.
History
Rey Fresco was formed in 2008 by four longtime friends and prominent members of the Ventura, California music scene. The band is composed of Xocoyotzin “Xoco” Moraza, a graduate of UCLA who holds a degree in EthnomusicologyEthnomusicology
Ethnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music...
. Andrew Jones, surf board shaper, drum maker and drummer. Roger Keiaho, vocalist and guitarist, a native of Fiji and whose younger brother is NFL linebacker Freddy Keiaho, Shawn Echevarria, bassist. All brought their diverse personal and musical backgrounds together to create the band’s original sound.
Taking the name Rey Fresco (Spanish for Fresh King), the band began gigging constantly in their local market. From sell out performances at their hometown’s largest venue, The Ventura Theater to stand out sets at Santa Barbara’s West Beach Music Festival and Ventura’s Hillside Music Festival, the band developed a large underground following in the Southern California music scene.
In 2009, Rey Fresco was signed by Fitzgerald Hartley Management as the first artist on their upstart indie label, Eight O Five Records. The band’s debut, The People, was released digitally in the fall of 2009 and released physically in the fall of 2010. The band embarked on their first tour in support of the record in December 2009 opening for reggae legends, Toots and the Maytals.
The band’s instrumental version of the song “Pajaro Cu” is currently being used in a 2011 Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
TV commercial. The commercial also features two of the band members, Moraza and Jones, performing.
Media coverage
Rey Fresco has been reviewed favorably by New York Daily News, National Geographic and a host of regional publications. The VC Reporter called their debut record, “a stellar debut, full of vision and hope that announces the arrival of an important and genre-defying band.” The record’s first single, “Precious Time” was added to several radio stations in the fall of 2009 and the song “Roll Your Dice” was National Public Radio’s “Song of the Day” on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.Members
Roger Keiaho - vocals, guitarXocoyotzin “Xoco” Moraza - harp, requinto, guitar
Shawn Echevarria - bass
Andrew Jones - drums
Associations
In Rey Fresco’s career they have performed with the following notable artists: 311311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, Colbie Caillat
Colbie Caillat
Colbie Marie Caillat is an American pop singer-songwriter and guitarist from Malibu, California. She debuted in 2007 with Coco, which included hit singles "Bubbly", "Realize", and "The Little Things". In 2008, she recorded a duet with Jason Mraz, "Lucky", which won a Grammy. Caillat released her...
, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
, Little Feat
Little Feat
Little Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
, G. Love & Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are known for their unique, "sloppy", and "laid back" blues sound that encompasses classic R&B. The band features Garrett Dutton, better known as G...
, Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
, Damian Marley
Damian Marley
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
, Julian Marley
Julian Marley
Julian Ricardo Marley is an English Jamaican reggae musician. He is the son of Bob Marley and a Bajan mother, Lucy Pounder. He is a member of the Rastafari movement.-Biography:...
, Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley
David "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley...
, Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Ozomatli
Ozomatli
Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.In a 2007 NPR interview, band...
Toots and the Maytals and Incubus.