About LocoMojo

LocoMojo brings the Bayou to New York's five boroughs. Dive into the story of LocoMojo, a band with a rich mix of seasoned artists blending classic R&B, deep-fried funk, and a hint of New Orleans Voodoo. Learn about our journey, our influences, including the Meters, Neville Brothers, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin, and our dedication to creating unforgettable music.

a photograph of Bob Valderrama, original member and lead guitarist of The LocoMojo Band.

Bob Valderrama
Lead guitar

Experience:
35+ years experience. Studying jazz improv with renowned bebop player/student of Lennie Tristano, Larry Meyers.
Conversant in Irish, Rock, Jazz, Latin and Funk genres.

– Toured with Temptress, Lewd Buddha and One Step Beyond.
– Session work with Kenny Simmons of the Commodores,
– Session work with Blues great Mason Casey.

– Session work with Rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame legend Freddy Scott.
– Session and tour work with Fusion guitarist Joaquin Lievano.
– 4 consecutive years in house band at The Bitter End (Lewd Buddha).
– Shared the stage with Black Sabbath at Jones Beach Theater.
– Opened for Motörhead and White Zombie.

Gear:

Custom 24 Paul Reed Smith loaded with Joe Barden pick ups. G&L Stratocaster Fender telecaster, several acoustic guitars. VUDU Custom head, 212 Mesa Boogie cabinet, Fender Deluxe combo.

Pete Malvese
Bass / Vocals

Experience:

45+ years experience. Concert master status for symphonic band. Steady Pro gig player and studio musician.

– Member of the popular 90s power trio, Causticlasm.

– Performed with several professional cover bands.

– Currently in several alternative projects including metal, rock & funk.

Influences:

Including but not limited to The Beatles, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Metallica, Iron Maiden, King’s X, Rush, Funk, R&B, early HipHop, and even my Mom, who performed in several barbershop quartets and choirs.

Gear:
Carl Thompson 5 string fretless and 4 string fretted basses, Fender Jazz basses, Ampeg cabinets.

a photograph of Andy St. Angelo, founding member and drummer of The LocoMojo Band.

Andy St. Angelo ("Saint")
Drums - Founding member - "Big Chief" of LocoMojo

Experience:

45+ years experience, includes concert bands, orchestras, drumlines, jazz groups, theater companies, worship groups, jam bands, and studio sessions.

– 2003-2006, Toured and recorded with Lewd Buddha
– Opened for George Clinton and P-Funk (2005 Danbury, CT)
– Opened for Rusted Root (2006 Hartford, CT).

Influences:

John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, Joe Zawinul, Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jim Keltner, Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, Zigaboo Modeliste, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Shrieve, Trilok Gurtu, AJ Hall.

Gear:
Pearl Decade Maple kit, Snares include Pearl Omar Hakim Sig. Mahogany, Pearl Masters Custom Maple, Pearl Piccolo, Pearl M80, Ludwig Black Beauty, Cymbals include Zildjian (Custom A/K/K-Custom Hybrid), Pearl Hardware, Trick ProV-1 pedals.

a photograph of Christian Brugger, original member and Violin player/Mandolin player of The LocoMojo Band.

Christian Brugger
Violin / Mandolin

Experience:

40+ years experience playing violin, 21+ years playing guitar. Several years playing trombone. Began violin at the age of 5. First violin was a crackerjack box as part of the Suzuki School. Learned Classical Guitar while living in Central America.

– Performing with several Contemporary Christian Worship Bands.
– Member of the contemporary Jazz group, Soul Progression.

Influences:

More influenced by styles and genres than particular artists — Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz, Classical Latin Guitar, New Age, Bebop Jazz, Blues, Christian and Classic Gospel music.

Gear:

Jordan Violin, Yamaha Godin Mandolin, Taylor guitars, Electro harmonix and TC electronic peddals as well as Fishman amps.

a photograph of Ed Hoey, original member and percussionist of The LocoMojo Band.

Ed Hoey
Congas & Percussion

Experience:

45+ years experience, performing with bands such as
Little Buster & The Soul Bros., Little Wolf, MSRP, Mountain Jam Orchestra, and Acoustically Correct

– Opened for Johnny Winter, BB King, and many others

Influences:

Chembo Corniel , Duane Allman , King Curtis Giovanni Hidalgo , Chucho Valdez , Anga Diaz, Stephan Grappelli and pretty much everything from Bluegrass to the Beatles

Gear:

Moperc Congas / LP Congas and Bongos
Shure SM 57s and Audix D-2 and D-4 Mics

Vyctory Kilralee-Hart
Vocals / Bass / Keys / Viola

Experience:

11 Years trained singer and performer in Classic Opera, Theater, Contemporary genres, experience in local Theater/Plays, Choirs, and chamber ensembles.

⁃ Trained at The American musical & dramatic academy; Theater Major

⁃ Runway/editorial Model/ NYFW & LAFW

⁃ Trained vocalist;Opera, Theater, and Contemporary

Influences:

Betty Davis, Womack & Womack, Kate Bush, Paraliment Funkadelic, Heart, Linda Lewis, The Jacksons, Teena Marie, Rick James, Millie Jackson, A Taste of honey, Labelle, Nina Hagen, Sly and Robbie, Prince, Slave, Leon Sylvers, The Brides of Funkenstein, The Slits, Patrice Rushen, and Bob Marley &The Wailers

Gear:

6 string Ibanez SR506 bass, Fender rumble bass combo amp, Foscurite Scarlett solo audio 3rd gen interface, Pyle classic dynamic mic, Shure sm58 mic, JBL 305p mkII studio monitor speaker, Behringer vintage analog pedal

a photograph of Jonathan Bonett, Lead Vocalist/Rhythm guitarist of The LocoMojo Band

Jonathan Bonett
Vocals / Rhythm Guitar

Experience:

35+ years performing music. Studied music and theater at SUNY Geneseo and countless dive bars, coffee houses, garages, basements and sidewalks.

– Member of Lewd Buddha

- Founding member of Midnight Chowder

- Member of Little Music Company

- Opened for Rusted Root, Edwin McCain and Howie Day
– Featured artist on Lewd Buddha's albums "Soap and Tabasco" and "Life in Interesting Times"

Influences:

Elvis, Springsteen, Beatles, Stones, Roy Orbison, Paul Simon, Billy and Elton, George Michael, Rob Thomas, Bob Valderrama and Frank Malabe

Gear:

Fender American Stratocaster, Epiphone GS335, Fender Acoustisonic Telecaster, Fender Deluxe combo. Shure Super 55 and Blx288 Sm58.

Fred Waxenberg (Dr. Fred)
Sax / Flute / Keys / Backup Vocals

Experience:

40 + years performing.
– Featured artist, performed with various groups such as Hollywood, Flashback, the Belairs, the Phantoms of Soul, Rapidfire, Cover to Cover, and The History of Rock and Roll.
– Performed in venues nationwide with several bands.

– Recorded and performed with Crystal.

– Recorded for Blackhawk records.

– Appeared in shows for the New York Roots Music Association (NYRMA).

Influences:

Jazz Fusion, Pop, Soul, Rock and Roll.

Gear:

Selmer Mark 6 Tenor Sax, Conn Alto Sax, E.M. Winston Boston Soprano Sax, Selmer Bundy Flute.

Mike Bolitho
Rhythm, Slide, Lead Guitar, Vocals

Experience:
— 45 + years experience playing in full Band and Acoustic gigs.
— Substitute guitarist, bassist and vocalist for multiple bands and solo artists
— Former member of The Tommy Gunn Band, South Street Band & Wildflower JAM.
— Proficient in all genres of music from Blues & Country, Hard Rock and Modern Pop.
— 10 years experience hosting weekly open mics at the Homestead Restaurant.
— Has opened and shared the stage with Edwin McCain, Zebra, and Randy Jackson.
— 45 + years of writing and recording originals.
— Currently guitarist with The John Byrnes Band

Influences:

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Little Feat, Outlaws, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bad Company, Warren Haynes, David Gilmour, Derek Trucks, Rolling Stones, Larry Carlton, Joe Perry, So many others.

Gear:
Fender 40th Anniversary Strat (naturally distressed from 30 years of careless handling) equipped with 1980s lace sensor pickups and a Dimarzio hot rails in the bridge, and PRS Custom 24 guitar with a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat in the neck and a JB in the Bridge
— Too many other electrics guitars
— Martin D35 and Taylor 714CE Koa Acoustic
— Effects Line 6 HX FX and Korg Tuner. Way too many other assorted pedals
— Blues Senior by Rocknroll Amps, original 1968 Fender Vibrolux Reverb