Information
- Members:
- Current:
Gordon Hyland - Tenor Saxaphone
Rob Christian - Alto Saxaphone/keyboard
Neil Whitford - Guitar
Mackenzie Longpre - Drums
Andrew Roorda - Bass - Genre:
- Ninja Funk
- Hometown:
- Toronto, Ontario
- Record Label:
- Ninja Funk
Favorite Pages
My Band
Ninja Funk Orchestra
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1. D of G |
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2. Ninja Song |
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3. Ninja Funk |
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4. The Worst Pop Song... |
Photos
2 of 4 albumsSee All
A Waterloo HalloweenCreated about a month ago
Photo ShootCreated on July 5, 2008 at 12:35pm
No one has added fan photos.
Events
1 upcoming eventSee All
- The Ninja Funk Christmas Party...
The Boat, 58 Augusta Ave Toronto, i...
Thursday, December 17 at 9:30pm
Ninja Funk Orchestra
A Ninja Funk Christmas: Starring The Ninja Funk Orchestra, featuring Haley Small on Vocals and Alex Goodman on Guitar.
Co-Starring La-Nai Gabriel & The Free People (probably the best band ever.) This is going to be an awesome party!
Doors open at 9:30pm
10:30pm La-Nai Gabriel & The Free People
11:30pm The Ninja Funk Orch...estra feat. Haley Small & Alex Goodman
$5 before 10:30pm or with a student card
$8 after 10:30pm
Time:9:30PM Thursday, December 17th
Location:The Boat, 58 Augusta Ave Toronto, in the Kensington Market -(416) 593-9218
Ninja Funk Orchestra
Has free tracks up for download! http://www.reverbnation.com/ninjafunkorc
www.reverbnation.com
Gordon Hyland (Tenor Sax), Rob Christian (Alto Sax, Neil Whitford (Guitar), Andrew Roorda (Bass), Stephen Harmelink (Keys), Mackenzie Longpre (Drums)
Ninja Funk Orchestra Ninja Funk funkdified a gaggle of lobsters, chickens, sumowrestlers and more as celebrity figures such as john lennon and yoko looked on.
12 new photos
Ninja Funk Orchestra Thank you Waterloo for another killer Halloween experience!
Ninja Funk Orchestra
Ninja Funk Orchestra
The Arbour Room, Hart House, University of Toronto
Friday November 13th, 2009
900PM
After a long slumber the Ninja Funk Orchestra returns to play the Arbour Room at Hart House on University of Toronto main campus as part of the Jazz at Oscars series. This is a FREE SHOW and we're going to be doing two... sets of new tunes and old favourites. Check out the arbour room:
http://www.harthousemusic.com/viewseries
If you haven't checked out the Arbour Room - its a great venue with good food and drink and awesome entertainment. Keep in touch!
www.ninjafunkorchestra.com
*Update: The night festivities will continue after the show at 857 Bloor st.W near Ossington (two doors down from Gordon's apartment, if you know where that is). Come along if you're in the mood! There is no buzzer, so let someone at the show know that you want to come, or give one of the ninjas a call.
Time:9:00PM Friday, November 13th
Location:The Arbour Room, Hart House, University of Toronto
Ninja Funk Orchestra First ever Ninja Funk video - brought to you by Muddy York Films (www.muddyyorkfilms.com).
Length:5:36
Ninja Funk Orchestra
Three NFO shows in April!!
Thursday April 16th - Rancho Relaxo (300 College Street)
BMO Crazy CD Release Party Featuring
Sounds Like BS and Hush Money
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5
Saturday April 18th - Gladstone Hotel (Queen and Dufferin)
Fundraiser for Tabitha House (org...anization that builds houses in Cambodia)
Featuring Spandex Effect and DJ's John Kong, Wolf Gang and Miss Vic
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5
Wednesday April 22nd - The Boat (Kensington Market)
Ninja Funk Orchestra versus Analog groove-off!!
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ninja-Funk
We hope everyone is getting over the winter chill, it's time to come check out NFO's new season. We have a series of great shows lined up with some great artists to open up the spring season. Ninja Funk Orchestra has been working hard on new material that will "make your inner-ear become your outer-ear" (quote Andrew Roorda). We've added a bunch more electronics and even a new player - sax wonder-kid Rob Christian (http://www.robchristianjazz.ca/). Check out the myspace for a preview. We'd really like to see you, and three shows gives you no excuses not to hang out with us at least once! Stay tuned for news about upcoming video, tour and recordings!
www.ninjafunkorchestra.com
www.myspace.com/ninjafunkorchestra
Artists:
Spandex Effect - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spandex-Ef
B'MO Crazy (http://www.myspace.com/bmocrazy)
Sounds Like BS (http://www.myspace.com/soundslikebs)
Hush Money (http://www.myspace.com/hushmoneyband)
Designed to turn your inner-ear into your outer-ear
Time:9:00PM Thursday, April 16th
Location:Rancho Relaxo, Gladstone Hotel, The Boat
Ninja Funk Orchestra
Saturday December 6th, 9PM
Ninja Funk Orchestra +
Chloe and Joelle +
God's Gift to Yoda
Concord Cafe (937 Bloor Street)
Five Bucks
Hey friends and family of NFO - it's been a massive year for us (Chile, debut album, playing out of town, light shows...) and we thought we'd say thanks for an awesome 2008 by throwing down a Chr...istmas party at the Concord. There will be some sweet nog, mistletoe, xmas baking (done by Ninjas) and funky Christmas tunes. We're also going to be joined by good friends of ours - Chloe Charles and Joelle Turner as well as God's Gift to Yoda (info below). Come celebrate!
Chloe Charles - www.chloecharles.com
I look back at myself as a timid girl, listening to music with earphones on; singing as though no one could hear me, all the while hoping they could. Some would say I am not that shy child anymore, but when writing or performing I still disappear into myself and hide from the world in my musical diaries.
I grew up in a forest surrounded by the reverberating hum of frogs and by the cries of coyotes. I am inspired by the quaint, love filled and unconventional life of creativity with which my Mom encircled me.
At age 15 I was introduced to a world of celebrity and wealth when my father married Cynthia Lennon. This disparate lifestyle opened my eyes to a world of extravagance and brought me to places such as London, Mallorca, the South of France, New York and Berlin. However, I repeatedly returned to my other reality; a life of simplicity in Canada.
I am an artist but I am also a scholar. At age 19 I decided upon studies in Psychology, giving way to the pressure of society to learn something ‘practical’, unable to squander a prestigious scholarships awarded to me by my university. At the same time I constantly fought to let my creative voice flourish.
My songs are a document of my inner strife.
My songs are my diary, brimming with raw emotions, utterly honest and authentic, inspired by the dualities of my life...
God's Gift to Yoda - www.myspace.com/godsgifttoyoda
“Why not use the power of the two guitars?”
Harley Card, in the form of Yoda, received from God, the gift of his own planet. The problem was that the planet was invisible. Yoda (Harley) pleaded to God, “Lord, please render this gift planet visible to mine eyes!” The Lord revealed his gift unto Yoda (Harley), which unfortunately was the size of a basketball. Cut to Halle Berry on a ladder. A phone rings, awakening Harley (Yoda), it was Sandra, about the Biennale. Later that day, a band was born, with the power of two guitars, summarizing this dream: God’s Gift to Yoda. God’s Gift to Yoda then sewed together their first EP. The band descended on guitarist Don Scott’s bedroom, while bassist Michael Herring engineered with a bunch of rented stuff . It was sent home with drummer Nico Dann to Seamstress Records headquarters (his Dad’s house) resulting in “Scribble Man."
Ninja Funk Orchestra - www.ninjafunkorchestra.com
The Ninja Funk Orchestra approaches jazz from the angle of a indie rock band. Comprised of tenor sax player Gordon Hyland, guitarist Neil Whitford, pianist Stephen Harmelink, bassist Andrew Roorda, and drummer Mackenzie Longpre, the group set out to create and unique space on the Toronto scene with the "Concord Funk Jam," designed to bring together rock and jazz instrumentalist, singers and freestylers as well as DJ's and World Music specialists. Through this weekly interaction, the style of Ninja Funk was born as a blending of improvisation and hard rock with dance-funk. Each of the band members composes and arranges for the group, drawing on influences from a wide variety of sources including Void, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, David Binney, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Michael Brecker, Michael Jackson, George Clinton, and James Brown.
Featuring Chloe Charles and God's Gift to Yoda... and baking!
Time:9:00PM Saturday, December 6th
Location:The Concord Cafe
RECENT ACTIVITY
Ninja Funk Orchestra
Saturday, October 25th - 900PM
Ninja Funk Orchestra (www.ninjafunkorchestra.com) featuring
Bill Murray (www.myspace.com/billmurraymusic) and
Paramedic (www.myspace.com/paramedicmusic)
Rancho Relaxo 300 College Street
$5
Ninja Funk Orchestra's next show features a very special guest for one night only. The Alberta hip-hop, r...ock, jazz, soul, fusion Paramedic (Jesse Peters - Keys/Vocals, Travis Switzer - Bass and Graeme Peters - Drums) will grace us with their presence on their Ontario showcase. Paramedic delivers a high-energy set that is guaranteed to make you move, I really really recommend you come see this act. Also featured will be local indie talent Bill Murray (not from Ghostbusters, sorry). Ninja Funk also has some great new material and we'd love to see you out.
Paramedic (www.myspace.com/paramedicmusic)
In a genre filled with stereotypes, Paramedic emerges to break the mould: musically and lyrically. The brainchild of Jesse Peters, it is a hybrid of classic hip hop, soul, jazz and funk with lyricism firmly rooted in social activism and positive vibes.
Jesse combines the skills of vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and emcee. His versatility translates into dynamic live shows that have left lasting impressions from coast to coast. His positive vibe and intense presence as an emcee have earned him comparisons to Rage Against The Machine's Zach de La Rocha, Nas, and BlackThought of the Roots. As a singer, he channels classic soul and the blues. Jesse made his rise to fame with the critically acclaimed jazz group The Peters Drury Trio.
Being brought up in the worlds of jazz and classical music prepared him for what he was born to do. His deeply rooted passion for social justice found its voice in the honesty of rap music, and Paramedic was born.
The whole concept and mission of Paramedic as a band is based on something Jesus said.."It is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick."
With that in mind, Paramedic has set out to break down walls between styles, between people and between classes. In the tradition of bands like Rage Against the Machine, Downset, Public Enemy and KRS-ONE, the goal is to bring a social conscience to the mix and combat the overwhelming tide of oppression and negativity in music and the media.
Ninja Funk Orchestra (www.ninjafunkorchestra.com)
The Ninja Funk Orchestra approaches jazz from the angle of a indie rock band. Comprised of tenor sax player Gordon Hyland, guitarist Neil Whitford, pianist Stephen Harmelink, bassist Brendan McElroy, and drummer Mackenzie Longpre, the group set out to create and unique space on the Toronto scene with the "Concord Funk Jam," designed to bring together rock and jazz instrumentalist, singers and freestylers as well as DJ's and World Music specialists. Through this weekly interaction, the style of Ninja Funk was born as a blending of improvisation and hard rock with dance-funk. Each of the band members composes and arranges for the group, drawing on influences from a wide variety of sources including Void, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, David Binney, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Michael Brecker, Michael Jackson, George Clinton, and James Brown.
Bill Murray (www.myspace.com/billmurraymusic)
and Dan Akroyd
Time:9:00PM Saturday, October 25th
Location:Rancho Relaxo (College and Spadina)
Ninja Funk Orchestra
Saturday, October 25th - 900PM
Ninja Funk Orchestra (www.ninjafunkorchestra.com) featuring
Bill Murray (www.myspace.com/billmurraymusic) and
Paramedic (www.myspace.com/paramedicmusic)
Rancho Relaxo 300 College Street
$5
Ninja Funk Orchestra's next show features a very special guest for one night only. The Alberta hip-hop, r...ock, jazz, soul, fusion Paramedic (Jesse Peters - Keys/Vocals, Travis Switzer - Bass and Graeme Peters - Drums) will grace us with their presence on their Ontario showcase. Paramedic delivers a high-energy set that is guaranteed to make you move, I really really recommend you come see this act. Also featured will be local indie talent Bill Murray (not from Ghostbusters, sorry). Ninja Funk also has some great new material and we'd love to see you out.
Paramedic (www.myspace.com/paramedicmusic)
In a genre filled with stereotypes, Paramedic emerges to break the mould: musically and lyrically. The brainchild of Jesse Peters, it is a hybrid of classic hip hop, soul, jazz and funk with lyricism firmly rooted in social activism and positive vibes.
Jesse combines the skills of vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and emcee. His versatility translates into dynamic live shows that have left lasting impressions from coast to coast. His positive vibe and intense presence as an emcee have earned him comparisons to Rage Against The Machine's Zach de La Rocha, Nas, and BlackThought of the Roots. As a singer, he channels classic soul and the blues. Jesse made his rise to fame with the critically acclaimed jazz group The Peters Drury Trio.
Being brought up in the worlds of jazz and classical music prepared him for what he was born to do. His deeply rooted passion for social justice found its voice in the honesty of rap music, and Paramedic was born.
The whole concept and mission of Paramedic as a band is based on something Jesus said.."It is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick."
With that in mind, Paramedic has set out to break down walls between styles, between people and between classes. In the tradition of bands like Rage Against the Machine, Downset, Public Enemy and KRS-ONE, the goal is to bring a social conscience to the mix and combat the overwhelming tide of oppression and negativity in music and the media.
Ninja Funk Orchestra (www.ninjafunkorchestra.com)
The Ninja Funk Orchestra approaches jazz from the angle of a indie rock band. Comprised of tenor sax player Gordon Hyland, guitarist Neil Whitford, pianist Stephen Harmelink, bassist Brendan McElroy, and drummer Mackenzie Longpre, the group set out to create and unique space on the Toronto scene with the "Concord Funk Jam," designed to bring together rock and jazz instrumentalist, singers and freestylers as well as DJ's and World Music specialists. Through this weekly interaction, the style of Ninja Funk was born as a blending of improvisation and hard rock with dance-funk. Each of the band members composes and arranges for the group, drawing on influences from a wide variety of sources including Void, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, David Binney, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Michael Brecker, Michael Jackson, George Clinton, and James Brown.
Bill Murray (www.myspace.com/billmurraymusic)
and Dan Akroyd
Time:9:00PM Saturday, October 25th
Location:Rancho Relaxo (College and Spadina)
