Dave Orban: guitarist, vocalist, and founder

Mojo Gypsies guitarist, vocalist and founder Dave Orban is a technology marketing executive who spends way too much time enjoying blues and old-school R&B music, with a particular fondness for acoustic blues and ragtime from the 20s and 30s. On the electric side, Orban's main gigging guitar is a P90-equipped '53 Gibson ES-175 (blonde, of course!), followed closely by a '64 Gibson ES-330. He also regularly uses a rosewood-necked parts Tele with a set of Don Mare's outstanding pickups. All are plugged straight into a '96 Matchess Chieftain 1x12 combo, or, from time to time, an Alessandro Beagle, an Alessandro English, or a '54 Fender Tweed Deluxe.

On the acoustic side, Orban's favorite guitars are a 1997 Collings C-10, a 1956 Gibson LG-2, and a 1942 Gibson L-50. He has, on occasion, also been known to rip out a few choice licks on harmonica, where he favors the Hohner Professional models.

Orban has a special appreciation for West-Coast Jump blues, a la Hollywood Fats, Little Charlie Baty, Kim Wilson, James Harman, Kid Ramos, et al, and the Chicago-style blues — Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Little Walter Jacobs, et. al. — which developed after World War II.

Known locally as "The Professor" (due to a 10-year stint teaching undergrad classes in design, marketing communications, and painting) Orban has, over the past few years, been seen playing regional venues in several bands including James Day and the Fish Fry, the Herd of Blues, the Jerry Gilbert Band, and the Rippers.

To email Dave, click here.