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Are you wondering "why this group, why now"?
Do bi-lingual artists (Spanish/English) enable you to connect with multiple communities within your audience?
Does your audience dig over-the-top one-of-a-kind projects that most listeners can't believe?
Do your audiences prefer "familiar repertoire," but also want to hear innovative new artists?
If so, here are (4) reasons the Megaband
could be great for your audience:
- The Only Ensemble in The World Presenting Esquivel's Music
Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica was the first ensemble to transcribe the lost space-age pop music of J.G. Esquivel—Mexico's Duke Ellington—and is also the only touring ensemble presenting his zany arrangements live. From Europe and Mexico, to the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Megaband has delighted audiences on multiple continents. - Story-Driven Connection to Your Audience...and 14,000+ Monthly Spotify Fans
Every concert includes "narration" throughout, in which Mr. Ho takes the audience behind Esquivel's arrangements and the transcription process so they can more deeply appreciate what they're listening to. This is the #1 thing audiences repeatedly say they like about performances; there is no wall between the audience and ensemble at Orchestrotica shows! Currently, Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica is enjoyed by over 14,000 people every month just on Spotify, and is featured on 4 official playlists. - Visually Distinct
While most people have seen a "big band" before, they likely have never seen a Megaband! The Megaband's incredible collection of instruments and sounds is also set up in a way to allow kids and audience members to see the wild percussion section up front, the inside of a Hammond B-3 organ, and more. - Available in Spanish and Great for Mixed/Hispanic Audiences
As the group has toured several times in Mexico, Mr. Ho can present the concert in English, Spanish, or both simultaneously. This is a great way to connect with Hispanic audience members in your community and showcase a unique Mexican/American artist who had a notable career in two countries.
Presenter Testimonials
The Esquivel Megaband's show was definitely the best choice for ending the Wassermusik festival and one of my all-time favorite highliughts of all the festival editions. Hope to see them soon again on our stage, whether with the big band or smaller groups! Undine ZamaniWassermusik (Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Berlin, Germany)
I recommend this ensemble on behalf of the Montreal Jazz Festival. We and our massive crowds loved both of their shows, and the big band was very easy to work with despite their large size. JazzIz loved their performance's "incredible precision and passion," and Michael Bourne personally told me he loved it as well. Marc-Andre Sarault
Brian's work to transcribe the lost arrangements of Esquivel by hand is nothing short of incredible. Their concert at our festival was fantastic, and I will keep recommending this wonderful project to my peers!Claudia Norman
About the Esquivel Megaband
Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica—in its Esquivel Megaband ensemble formation—is the world’s only way to experience the lost space-age pop music of Esquivel, live. Via meticulous transcriptions from the original 1950s hi-fi recordings, the band has recreated this masterful musician’s lost arrangements and presents them in a program called, Sonorama: The Lost Music of Esquivel. Featuring the music of Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Ernesto Lecuona, and others, the show exposes listeners to the wild, zany mind of Mexico’s king of space-age bachelor pad music. In stereo, of course!
"Deliciously entertaining"—Wall Street Journal
"4 Stars - Exquisite attention to details"—Sunday Times London
"Incredible musicianship"—Downbeat
"Obsession in its grandest form"—JazzIz
Who is Esquivel?
Juan Garcia Esquivel was Mexico's "Duke Ellington," a virtuosic pianist and large ensemble arranger that eventually became known as the "king of space-age bachelor pad music" posthumously. While he did compose a bit, he is known for his very distinct arranging style that was meant to exploit the new technology of the day: stereo. In addition to recording for RCA Living Stereo, he was also considered somewhat of a "playboy." Esquivel had a residency at the Stardust in Las vegas and also was personally asked to open up for Sinatra on several occasions. On our public website has a list of links to articles about Juan Garcia Esquivel and an Artist Statement from Mr. Ho.
Disponible en Español
This show is available in English, Spanish, or both and has been presented in Mexico several times.
Audio
Hear us on official 
playlists:
| Title | Listen | Composer |
|---|---|---|
| Andalucia | Lecuona | |
| Night and Day | Porter | |
| The Boulevard of Broken Dreams | Warren-Dubin | |
| Sentimental Journey | Green-Brown-Homer |