U-Ka is a new-century music collective. It’s spontaneous, and ever changing - from the band members to the style of music. U-ka is “the bones of rock, the flesh of blues, and soul’s psychic heart.” says band member Gregory Slay. U-ka weaves the listener through a sound fest of unforgettable songs; based in the blues; texturally moody; some Jazz influences and a bit of rock; a modern 21st century renaissance soundscape. Their sound has fast become a favorite of those in the music “know” across the globe. Renowned for their impressive live sound, U-Ka has sold out shows from Australia to England, including London’s famous club, ‘Borderline’, and built an underground following around the world. All without the involvement of a major record label.
U-ka was created by Australian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Naomi Louise Warne when she lived in New Orleans and met the great jazz saxophonist Charles Neville (Neville Brothers).Their collaborations produced the fine recorings Bermagui, U-Ka "Live" & U-Ka "live" at Snug Harbor.
Naomi began her career at an early age singing lead vocals for Australia's Young Northside Big Band, a collection of Sydney’s best high school musicians. They performed at the esteemed Monterey Jazz Festival where Naomi caught the eye
of Jazz Legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Joe Williams, and Buddy Rich. John Lewis of the ‘Modern Jazz Quartet’ was so taken by her voice that he compared her to the “Late, great Julie London.”
Over the years Naomi was the voice behind numerous movie and television theme songs, TV commercials and, an in-demand session player. She continued to diversify as an artist and received rave reviews as the lead role in the hugely successful musical ‘Lennon’. Her original music has turned up all over Australia, in mini-series and, as the pick for theme song of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her song ‘Shine on Me’ beat out over 10,000 entries, including submissions by world famous artists such as INXS.
Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil calls her “One of Australia’s most gifted blues singers.”
Naomi has worked with industry giants such as Falchner 0’Kelly (Sinead O’Conner, Bananarama) and Malcolm McLaren (Sex Pistols, New York Dolls, Bow Wow Wow); and jazz greats including Charles Neville and Herb Mickman, all helping her to hone her tremendous talent.
In 2004 Naomi recorded ‘Bermagui’, the first album release by U-ka. ‘Bermagui was a huge success. In addition to having two number one songs on i-Tunes Blues in Europe, it was featured three times on MSN’s front page next to artists such as Eminem and, also won a variety of ‘best of' Internet awards, culminating in U-Ka winning ‘Indie Artist of the Year’ Europe 2004.
It was while recording ‘Bermagui’, with Charles Neville, (Neville Brothers) in Los Angeles at the legendary Winslow Court Studios, that Naomi met Gregory Slay (formerly of Remy Zero) who was recording in the next room. In spite of their very different styles and histories, there was an immediate bond and mutual respect for one other.
Gregory’s drumming is extolled as some of the best in the world by the ‘emo/screamo’ kids and many of rock & roll’s elite. His unique talents bring a welcome edge to U-ka’s already delightfully complex sound.
Take Naomi’s smokey bluesy voice over Gregory’s soundscapes and legendary drumming, add some of Jazz’ greats (Charles Neville, James Singleton, Herb Taylor, Larry Sieberth, Jim Lassen, Kristen Gaitenby, Gregory Boyd) and a handful of Rock & Roll’s most eminent (Cedric Le Moyne (Remy Zero, Alanis Morrisette,Gnarls Barkley), Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil, Russel Crowe’s band -The Ordinary Fear of God), Mark Simms – Bass; (Ben Harper), Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero, Beck), Takeshi (Ziggy Marley), Kevin Longden – Guitars; (John Fogerty), Rami (Wallflowers, Dave Grohl, Keith Urban), Jeff Young (Sting, Alanis Morrisette, Bruce Springsteen) and Christian Scott, and the outcome is the diverse and unique sound that is U-ka.
Management:
Vic Deibel
310-457-3032
Kanati@charter.net
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