Rey Fresco is an American band from

Ventura, California Ventura, officially named San Buenaventura (Spanish for "Saint Bonaventure"), is a city on the Southern Coast of California and the county seat of Ventura County. The population was 110,763 at the 2020 census. Ventura is a popular tourist des ...

, that performs an eclectic mix of rock, reggae, world, soul and Latin music. It 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

Ethnomusicology Ethnomusicology is the study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it. It encompasses distinct theoretical and methodical approaches that emphasize cultural, social, material, cognitive, biological, and other dim ...

. 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 Freddy Keiaho, born Naivote Taulawakeiaho, (born) December 18, 1982) is a Fijian former professional American football linebacker. He played college football for the San Diego State University Aztecs, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in t ...

, 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

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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, guitar *Xocoyotzin “Xoco” Moraza - harp, requinto, guitar *Shawn Echevarria - bass *Andrew Jones - drums *Matt Rayner - percussion / manager 2022-present *Joe Baugh - lead guitar *Ryan Gleason -drums 2022-present

Discography

*''The People'', 2009

Associations

In Rey Fresco's career they have performed with the following notable artists:

311 311 may refer to: * 311 (number), a natural number * AD 311, a year of the Julian calendar, in the fourth century AD * 311 BC, a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar * 311 (band), an American band ** ''311'' (album), band 311's self-titled album ...

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, G. Love & Special Sauce,

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Damian Marley Damian Robert Nesta "Jr. Gong" Marley (born 21 July 1978) is a Jamaican DJ, singer, lyricist and rapper. He is the recipient of four Grammy Awards. Early life, education and family Damian Marley is the youngest son of reggae musician Bob Marle ...

Julian Marley Julian Ricardo Marley (born 4 June 1975) is a British-Jamaican reggae musician, songwriter, producer and humanitarian. He is the son of reggae music icon Bob Marley, and Lucy Pounder. He follows in his father's footsteps and is a devout Rasta ...

Ziggy Marley David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born 17 October 1968) is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician, actor and philanthropist. He is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 200 ...

Nas Nas (born 1973) is the stage name of American rapper Nasir Jones. Nas, NaS, or NAS may also refer to: Aviation * Nasair, a low-cost airline carrier and subsidiary based in Eritrea * National Air Services, an airline in Saudi Arabia ** Nas Air ( ...

Ozomatli Ozomatli is an American rock band, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and incorporating a wide array of musical styles – including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, hip hop, and others. The group ...

Toots and the Maytals The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. ...

and Incubus.

References

External links

Official websiteOfficial Myspace page
{{Authority control Rock music groups from California Musical groups from Ventura County, California Musical groups established in 2008