K23 Orchestra

Update: The K23 Orchestra is four years old. The original lineup was assembled to play one show at the Whistle Stop. It was clear, after the first show, that there should be many, many more shows to follow. Over the past few years the music has grown and evolved. Today, the k23 is simply 5 members who live and love music. Each individual has a completely different background with varying influences and stylistic preferences. The result of the creative friction that exist between us is the beauty that is born from tension resolved. The music is based on structured improvisation, gradual builds and heavy sustained peaks, a rapid fire, yet articulate vocal delivery and swift dynamic changes. The band has shared the stage with varying artist and speakers who range from Sound Tribe Sector 9 to Ralph Nader, 2Mex to Howard Zinn, Robert Walter's 20th Congress to Bobby Kennedy.

Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra (AH&K23) is a unique blend of hip hop, rock, Latin, spoken word and jazz fusion. The band consists of six pieces including; keyboard, guitar, upright bass, drums, percussion, and a lyricist. AH&K23 is based in San Diego and performs weekly with regular shows at the Rosary Room Cafe, Winston’s, Galoka, Blind Melons & the Belly Up. The next year (2004) will see the band out on the road; touring the West Coast, performing at clubs, colleges and festivals.

The band’s shows are based around structured improvisation, stretching the songs on CD to extended jams with powerful crescendos. AH&K23 has become unique in the hip hop world by giving the musicians an equal voice to the lyricist therefore creating a collective and cohesive expression. AH&K23 has found an audience in the world of hip hop, jambands, jazzheads, and poetry lovers. Alfred Howard’s lyrics transcend a style or genre, appealing to humanities most primal essence. Their message is one of positivity and social change through music.