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Limpopo has its origins in Moscow
when Yuri Fedorko co-founded the band in 1986 with a few of his college
cohorts. This group toured the former Soviet Union performing in some of
its more famous theaters. At the peak of Limpopo's fame there, Yuri
emigrated to the United States with only two of the original cast at his
heels. In 1991, Limpopo re-formed in the States as
a four-member folk and comedy troupe. They were very successful performing
for audiences of all ages across Canada and the United States at music and
comedy festivals, children's festivals, clubs, and college campuses.
In 1993, they competed on and won the Ed McMahon's International Star
Search band competition. In 1995, they showcased at The National
Association for Campus Activities convention in Boston where over 150
colleges signed up to bring the band to their campuses! They were voted by
readers of Campus Activities Today magazine as "Best Music Act for
1995". They were nominated for Group of the Year at the 1996
Kerrville Music Awards. They were featured in a long running national
TV ad for KIT KAT candy bars which became a tongue-in-cheek anthem
for them. L.A.'s number one watched news program, KTLA Morning
News, featured a live interview and performance of Limpopo and the
Los Angeles Music Center on Tour proudly touts Limpopo as one
of their most popular and celebrated artists.
Limpopo is:
Igor Khramov on balalaika, vocals, trombone, sweetstick, guitar and percussion
Yuri Fedorko on accordion (bayan), guitar, vocals, and amazing acrobatics
Dmitri Mamokhi on bass balalaika, trumpet and vocals
Andrei Baranov on drums, spoons and traditional Russian-percussion
Recently,Limpopo has recorded music for a motion pictures. Their
music is part of Blade 2 (2002), 15 Minutes with Robert De Nero (2001), Armageddon, Somewhere in the City starring
Sandra Bernhardt, and Death By Pizza. Velvel Records has released the soundtrack for "Somewhere In The City"."Happy Face" with Ann
Margaret and Henry Thomas, 1999. Limpopo has also written music for the Christmas Parade at the Universal
Studios, 1998. Mark Mothersbaugh, of DEVO and one of today’s top television and film composers, frequents local Limpopo
shows and enthusiastically signed up to be on Limpopo’s
mile long mailing list. Even Ronald and Nancy Reagan have enjoyed
Limpopo's celebration in music during a private welcoming party for the Gorbachevs.
The great Peter Ustinov loves Limpopo so much, he had them play at his own birthday party.
Limpopo joined royalty when they entertained Julie Andrews and invited guests on
her grand estate in Malibu. Jonathan Densmore, of the Doors, thought Limpopo
was so entertaining during one of their outdoor concerts, he slapped them a hefty check and
was one of the first to join the ever-growing list of Limpopo fans everywhere.A song " In The Garden
" from the fourth album " Limpopo Unplugged " made it to the final at the John Lennon Songwriring Contest in
1999.
Limpopo’s show is a natural blend of rich, energetic Russian folk music, phenomenal original jazz and blues compositions, with some of
the most breathtaking vocal arrangements ever heard. Limpopo’s mesmerizing, dynamic and outrageous dancing and magnificent costumes
highlight each note and brighten every step. One can’t help but love the high energy and spirit-raising phenomena that is Limpopo.
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