LA VOODOO JAZZ BAND
Photos: Fernando Florit and Melisa Bertossi
The Group
La Voodoo Jazz Band is a band rooted in the New Orleans and Swing styles of the first half of the 20th century. Its main focus is on authenticity in sound, harmonies, and arrangements, while also maintaining a unique personality. It was founded in Barcelona in 2018. The band’s name is inspired by the magical-religious traditions of New Orleans, brought by slaves during the African diaspora and incorporated into the popular culture of the southern United States.
Formation
The group consists of singer and guitarist Ugnė Danielė Reikalaitė (Balkumbia), Naná Rovira (Parminter), clarinet, Oriol Gonzàlez (The Hanfris Quartet), washboard and drums; Oscar Font (La Locomotora Negra), trombone and Henrique Mendonça (Los Boozan Dukes), sousaphone.
Therefore, they are five musicians with an extensive background in this genre. They incorporate various musical backgrounds into their interpretation, forming a perfect musical tandem that, with their empathy and friendliness, manages to transport you to an atmosphere full of rhythm and to the essence of Hot Jazz from New Orleans.
Previous Concerts
Various Civic Centers (Catalonia), Cerdanyola Blues Festival, Sitges Jazz Antic Festival,
Nova Jazz Cava in Terrassa, Major Festivals and private events.
Recordings
ALBUM: “LA VOODOO JAZZ BAND” (2022)
This is their first album, recorded live at the Hukot Studio in Barcelona. The album features some of the pieces performed in their live shows, bringing to life great composers and interpreters of this music, such as Duke Ellington and Sidney Bechet, and even includes covers of modern composers like Thelonious Monk. Arranged in a personal way, it contains original lyrics like East St. Louis Toodle-Oo and an adaptation of the Russian lyrics of Songe d’Automne, known for being performed during the Titanic voyage.
Credits:
Recorded at Estudio Hukot, Hospitalet de Llobregat
(Barcelona), on 12th of June, 2022
Director: Milo Gomberoff. Photos: Fernando Florit.
Design: Henrique Mendonça i Naná Rovira
EP: “LA VOODOO JAZZ BAND” (2025)
Recorded live at Underpool Studio, the EP features 3 tracks performed during their live shows: a well-known piece to the general public (The Preacher by Horace Silver), a song recognized by the voice of Marilyn Monroe (Runnin’ Wild), as well as an unusual piece in the Jazz repertoire, the waltz “Jitterbug Waltz” by Fats Waller.
Credits:
Enregistrat a Underpool Studio, Esplugues de Llobregat
(Barcelona), 7th of March, 2025
Director: Sergi Felipe
Design: Henrique Mendonça
Más Información:
Instagram: La Voodoo Jazz Band
