As a special treat to make our wedding day that much more memorable, we are pleased to announce that Philly’s own Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO) will be providing the music and entertainment throughout all the days’ festivities. Led by Director and trumpeter Henri McMillan, this 14 member band of vocalists and instrumentalists has worked and recorded with such artists as Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight, Kool and the Gang, the Roots, and many others. We chose this band after seeing them perform at a Toys for Tots event in New Jersey and their combination of high energy, musical versatility, and incredible sound quickly won us over and once you hear them, we think they will win you over too. We are very excited to have them and feel free to check out their individual bios below and hear them perform at previous events on their YouTube site seen here, here, here, and here.
Henri McMillian, Jr.- Director- Trumpet
Henri has recorded and performed as a contractor or musician with such musical legends as Boyz II Men, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, James Brown, The O'Jays, Stylistics and many others. He was also the musical director for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for several years.
Henri has recorded and performed as a contractor or musician with such musical legends as Boyz II Men, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, James Brown, The O'Jays, Stylistics and many others. He was also the musical director for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for several years.
Lawrence Newton- Lead Vocals
One of the east coast's most seasoned vocalists, Lawrence has run the gamut in versatility with collaborations with vocal diva Patti Labelle, folk legend Taj Mahal, jazz legend Grover Washington Jr., and hip hop superstar and actor L. L. Cool J. He has performed on countless jingles for companies such as Coke and Pepsi. Lawrence was even signed as a recording artist with R.C.A. Records at the age of 22. Nicknamed "The Percolator" he is the bomb that ignites the fury which is U.G.O.
One of the east coast's most seasoned vocalists, Lawrence has run the gamut in versatility with collaborations with vocal diva Patti Labelle, folk legend Taj Mahal, jazz legend Grover Washington Jr., and hip hop superstar and actor L. L. Cool J. He has performed on countless jingles for companies such as Coke and Pepsi. Lawrence was even signed as a recording artist with R.C.A. Records at the age of 22. Nicknamed "The Percolator" he is the bomb that ignites the fury which is U.G.O.
Naeemah Harper - Lead Vocals
Naeemah is a Philly vocalist with a rare and unforgettable tone who has recorded and worked with artists and producers such as L.L. Cool J, Lauryn Hill, Al B. Sure, Kevin Liles, Kip Collins, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dre & Vidal and many more.
Naeemah is a Philly vocalist with a rare and unforgettable tone who has recorded and worked with artists and producers such as L.L. Cool J, Lauryn Hill, Al B. Sure, Kevin Liles, Kip Collins, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dre & Vidal and many more.
Zenia McPherson – Vocals
Zenia is the baby of the band. She was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and migrated to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts. She has her own band, Z N the Natural Experience, is an accomplished dancer and actress in her own right. UGO is happy to have her talents.
Zenia is the baby of the band. She was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and migrated to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts. She has her own band, Z N the Natural Experience, is an accomplished dancer and actress in her own right. UGO is happy to have her talents.
Darren Daughtry- Guitar
Darren is the person that always finds the lick to create the magic that starts our groove. He is a vital ingredient to our mix. He has recorded and been around the world with: Patti Labelle, Gerald Levert, The O'Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Manhattans, Ray Goodman and Brown, The Stylistics and many others.
Darren is the person that always finds the lick to create the magic that starts our groove. He is a vital ingredient to our mix. He has recorded and been around the world with: Patti Labelle, Gerald Levert, The O'Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Manhattans, Ray Goodman and Brown, The Stylistics and many others.
Stacey McGee- Bass
Stacey, a man of few words has held down the bass chair admirably for us for the last couple of years. Equally adept on synth bass "MR. McGEE" is one half of the bottom of the train that keeps us rolling. He has toured and recorded with many R+B superstars such as Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Jaheim, Boyz II Men, Kindred the Family Soul, Jagged Edge, Glenn Jones, Miles Jaye, Debra Cox, Teddy Pendergrass etc.
Stacey, a man of few words has held down the bass chair admirably for us for the last couple of years. Equally adept on synth bass "MR. McGEE" is one half of the bottom of the train that keeps us rolling. He has toured and recorded with many R+B superstars such as Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Jaheim, Boyz II Men, Kindred the Family Soul, Jagged Edge, Glenn Jones, Miles Jaye, Debra Cox, Teddy Pendergrass etc.
David Gardner- Guitar
Dave will always find that crevice in the song to bring the groove to life. Never one to "show off" he will hide in the shadows waiting for that right moment to pounce on the pocket. He has recorded and toured extensively with: The Stylistics, Toots and the Maytals, The Three Degrees, Billy Paul, Sister Sledge, Teddy Pendergrass, Phyllis Hyman and many others. He is also a very accomplished audio engineer working in many Philadelphia area recording studios.
Dave will always find that crevice in the song to bring the groove to life. Never one to "show off" he will hide in the shadows waiting for that right moment to pounce on the pocket. He has recorded and toured extensively with: The Stylistics, Toots and the Maytals, The Three Degrees, Billy Paul, Sister Sledge, Teddy Pendergrass, Phyllis Hyman and many others. He is also a very accomplished audio engineer working in many Philadelphia area recording studios.
Bryan Williams- Keyboards
Bryan has a seasoned pedigree of experience as a studio and touring musician. Always one to look at the big picture "B' is one of the pistons that keeps the U.G.O. train running. Bryan has recording and touring stints with the likes of: Boyz II Men, Teddy Pendergrass, Sister Sledge, Rose Royce, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Stylistics and many others.
Bryan has a seasoned pedigree of experience as a studio and touring musician. Always one to look at the big picture "B' is one of the pistons that keeps the U.G.O. train running. Bryan has recording and touring stints with the likes of: Boyz II Men, Teddy Pendergrass, Sister Sledge, Rose Royce, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Stylistics and many others.
Pablo Batista- Percussion
Pablo is one of the most well rounded and seasoned percussionists in the country. A graduate of Temple University's music program, he is the match which ignites the fury which is U.G.O. His resume includes collaborations with Alicia Keys, Kirk Franklin, Gerald Levert, Grover Washington Jr., Jeffrey Osborne, Phyllis Hyman, Musiq Soulchild and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Pablo is one of the most well rounded and seasoned percussionists in the country. A graduate of Temple University's music program, he is the match which ignites the fury which is U.G.O. His resume includes collaborations with Alicia Keys, Kirk Franklin, Gerald Levert, Grover Washington Jr., Jeffrey Osborne, Phyllis Hyman, Musiq Soulchild and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Daryl Burgee- (Kwasi)- Drums and Percussion
"Kwasi" is the quiet fire of the band. The man who has done it all from a percussion perspective. Originally our percussionist, he has commanded our drum chair with authority from the moment he sat down. Kwasi has recorded and had tours of duty with: Gladys Knight, Kool and the Gang, Patti Labelle, Grover Washington Jr. Johnny Mathis, Sheena Easton, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and too many others to mention.
"Kwasi" is the quiet fire of the band. The man who has done it all from a percussion perspective. Originally our percussionist, he has commanded our drum chair with authority from the moment he sat down. Kwasi has recorded and had tours of duty with: Gladys Knight, Kool and the Gang, Patti Labelle, Grover Washington Jr. Johnny Mathis, Sheena Easton, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and too many others to mention.
Louis Taylor- All Saxophones
L.T. was born on Christmas day. We all know as a child that sucks due to combined presents. But the fact is, the best present his parents could have given him was allowing him to honk his sax in the house as a child. With time he became quite proficient on the instrument lending his talents to several members of musical royalty throughout the years such as, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Stylistics, Patti Labelle, The Temptations and even actor turned vocalist Terrence Howard. Louis was also a member of the "Emeril Live" House Band for several years.
L.T. was born on Christmas day. We all know as a child that sucks due to combined presents. But the fact is, the best present his parents could have given him was allowing him to honk his sax in the house as a child. With time he became quite proficient on the instrument lending his talents to several members of musical royalty throughout the years such as, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Stylistics, Patti Labelle, The Temptations and even actor turned vocalist Terrence Howard. Louis was also a member of the "Emeril Live" House Band for several years.
Dr. Donald Collins M.D.- Trombone
It should be against the law for a man to be able to provide care for patients by day for their physical well being and the be able to heal the soul and spirit with his horn as Don does. One half of the "Vanilla Soul Brothers", he is the glue that holds the horn section together. Don, Henri and Louis have been playing as a section for well over twelve years. Don's stints include Patti Labelle, Boyz II Men, The O'Jays, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and so on and so forth.
It should be against the law for a man to be able to provide care for patients by day for their physical well being and the be able to heal the soul and spirit with his horn as Don does. One half of the "Vanilla Soul Brothers", he is the glue that holds the horn section together. Don, Henri and Louis have been playing as a section for well over twelve years. Don's stints include Patti Labelle, Boyz II Men, The O'Jays, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and so on and so forth.
Jay Davidson- All Saxophones
The other half of the "Vanilla Soul Brothers”, Jay is the man with the most thankless job in our horn section. He plays the baritone saxophone. First of all, it weighs a ton! Second of all with six horns, there is NEVER enough room for him. That said, Jay is one of the most gifted arrangers you will ever find. His resume includes the best of rock, pop, funk, and soul including, Whitney Houston, Rickey Martin, Rolling Stones, The Spinners, Four Tops, Mariah Carey, Wayne Brady, Luther Vandross, and the beat goes on and on.
The other half of the "Vanilla Soul Brothers”, Jay is the man with the most thankless job in our horn section. He plays the baritone saxophone. First of all, it weighs a ton! Second of all with six horns, there is NEVER enough room for him. That said, Jay is one of the most gifted arrangers you will ever find. His resume includes the best of rock, pop, funk, and soul including, Whitney Houston, Rickey Martin, Rolling Stones, The Spinners, Four Tops, Mariah Carey, Wayne Brady, Luther Vandross, and the beat goes on and on.
Michael Ray- Lead Trumpet
Mike is one of the most prolific "lead" trumpet players on the planet. With over 30 years touring and recording with pop R and B legends Kool and the Gang he collaborated on seven gold and platinum albums and seven top-10 pop hits for the group. He is the icing on top of the UGO horns section's cake. His tours of duty include Phish, The Stylistics, Delphonics, Instant Funk, and Sun Ra.
Mike is one of the most prolific "lead" trumpet players on the planet. With over 30 years touring and recording with pop R and B legends Kool and the Gang he collaborated on seven gold and platinum albums and seven top-10 pop hits for the group. He is the icing on top of the UGO horns section's cake. His tours of duty include Phish, The Stylistics, Delphonics, Instant Funk, and Sun Ra.
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