Good-hello
and welcome to the cyberhome of Uforkestra -- progressive rock ensemble, geopolitical commentators, multimedia soundbed craftsmen, and gang of good guys all around. Founded in 1996 in Rochester, New York, Uforkestra recorded once in a while, performed occasionally, and is still linked into creative communities locally and abroad.
At its performing peak, Uforkestra served up festive convergences of sight, sound, and movement at Rochester's Visual Studies Workshop. These events featured the band's songs and improv excursions accompanying 16mm films culled from the Workshop's enormous Rundel Film Collection. Celluloid selections included films by Roman Polanski, Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Stan Brackage, Leni Riefenstahl, Norman McLaren, Maya Deren, Bruce Conner, and other avant garde-old guard auteurs.
There were also copious photography projections, video animation by VSW alumnus (and Uforkestra member) John Neel, and live dance performances by members of the Elizabeth Clark Dance Ensemble.
Digital instrumentals and visuals
This photo captures Uforkestra performing in the big auditorium of Visual Studies Workshop, our creative home. VSW provided a superb venue for blending music and visuals -- culled from traditional film and digital multimedia -- into improvised events that delighted audiences a few times a year.
Many thanks are due to VSW Professor Richard DellaCosta and an army of student volunteers from his classrooms, who worked tirelessly to help us launch these unique events.
The band became active in Rochester NY in 1996 and remained so until 2004. Then at that time job circumstances moved our guitarist into a migration path south with his family, eventually situating them near Washington DC.
In Uforkestra we got a taste of the brotherhood and personal growth that conditions within a real band can bring. We remain dear friends and occasional collaborators, though do not earn our livings from Uforkestra artistry. The audio content on these pages is offered to you freely; do what you will with it.
To those conscientious visitors who enjoy these tunes, in lieu of paying us, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Orphan Foundation of America, which funds education to nurture the hopes and dreams of young people aging out of foster care.
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