We Are :
Omar Henderson- Bassist and Founder
Omar, a DC native, grew up in the Crestwood neighborhood. He's a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of Fine Arts and the University of DC. He has performed at various venues including Crampton Auditorium at Howard University and The Cellar Door in Georgetown. Omar had taken a long hiatus from performing to raise a family. During that time he never lost his strong desire to play and perform for others. As the bassist and band leader he certainly enjoys his bandmates, the music, the groups energy and "motivating our audience".
Alan Weis-Guitarist
Alan, who spends his days as Medical Doctor, has spent his life aspiring to musical greatness. He loves all types of music from Jam Bands to Jazz and from Folk to Funk. Alan is an integrated medical practitioner, has led programs in personal and professional development and is a family man.
Matt Aubuchon- Drums and Percussion
Matt started playing drums at the age of 16, with significant influences by hard and progressive rock drummers. Upon seeing a live jazz performance in college, he shifted his musical focus to jazz and Latin rhythms. Matt has spent several semesters studying drumming at Indiana University's School of Music and playing in several rock bands. He continued informal training throughout graduate school, taking any opportunity to expand his rhythmic knowledge and experience. Matt continues musical performance across multiple genres including blues, rock, bluegrass, and "old school" R 'n' B. Playing in a band like PPC is exquisitely challenging, as the drummer must be precise and "in the pocket." If the crowd is dancing, then the band is doing it right. In his freetime, Matt also crafts and sells shekeres (African percussion instruments), and sells them all over the US and even across the world.
Waleed Hypolite- MC/Rapper/Vocalist
Raised in a Jamaican household that hosted dancehall parties every weekend, this DMV native's love for music and performing started at an early age watching his cousin DJ at those parties. An energetic wordsmith with an uncanny ability to imitate other artist's voices, Waleed turned his hobby into a passion, and years later he's fully embraced his role as an Emcee. He credits the energy he brings on stage to the great dancehall reggae performers who preceded him, but Waleed always credits the band for seeing his calling as an Emcee and for getting him to embrace it as well.
Roland Brawner- Multi Instrumentalist
A professional Musician: composer, performer, arranger, producer, and event promoter. With 35 years performance experience Roland is seasoned in Jazz, R&B, Pop, Rock, Blues and Reggae. Roland also is a practicing Psychological Therapist and consults with major institutions in his field.
Mayra Ortiz-Vocals
A Caribbean Island native raised in Washington DC. Mayra is a self-taught vocalist, songwriter and producer whose style and voice are often described as transcendent and magical. Mayra’s ability to blend cultural roots and emotion are inspiring and endearing.