The Mojo Gypsies
Dave Orban and the Mojo Gypsies
Founded in 1998 and based in the Central NJ/Philly area, Dave Orban & the Mojo Gypsies are a high-energy quartet that play a unique blend of up-tempo blues and old-school R&B. At a Gypsies gig, you’re likely to hear songs by such classic blues artists as T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Louis Jordan, Freddie King and Albert Collins, as well as music from contemporary blues performers including Rick Estrin, Rod Piazza, Kid Ramos, Paul DeLay, and James Harman, along with original material in the same vein.
Orban has performed with or supported such national acts as James Harman, Debbie Davies, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Murali Coryell, Lucky Peterson, Jimmy Burns, and Selwyn Birchwood.
The Lineup
Led by founder – and International Blues Hall of Fame inductee – DAVE ORBAN on guitar and vocals, the Gypsies feature MIKE SCOTT on tenor sax and vocals, with MIKE DE MONTE on drums and vocals.
The band’s music integrates many influences from the greater blues tradition – from Chicago and West Coast electric blues to southern country blues and even New Orleans-styled marches. With a repertoire that shines a light on lesser-known but compelling tunes from the pioneers of the blues form, the band looks to impart a contemporary feel to a traditional form, while not departing drastically from the foundational elements of this type of music.
Influences ranging from Willie Dixon to Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones and even Norah Jones can be heard in Orban’s original tunes. His songs are self-contained stories in their own right, and cover a variety of topics that can be both humorous as well as more serious.
Their first CD, “I Heard You Twice the First Time” – a collection of 14 of Orban’s original compositions – was released on Sep 24, 2016. Orban has completed writing songs for their second CD, and is working on arranging them for recording.
Never ones to shirk from a challenge, the Gypsies pride themselves in rising to any musical occasion, from small, intimate gatherings to large, outdoor festivals. Available as an “unplugged” duo or trio, or as a four- or five-piece combo, the Mojo Gypsies are sure to please even the most discriminating of blues and r&b afficionados.
Visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/themojogypsies and our Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/mojogypsy. Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mojogypsy; or contact us at dave@mojogypsies.com.