Helena Yates - vocals, guitar, flute
Jeff Yates - bass, vocals
Jaime Tauler - percussion, vocals
The Port Orange Florida alternative rock band Local JuJu's sound has been
described as a mixture of rock, grunge, and Celtic folk with gothic
undertones. However one might choose to label their style, it is certain
they have tapped into a captivating, artistic, original vision all their
own. The group, a family affair, is comprised of band members Helena Yates;
husband Jeff Yates and brother Jaime Tauler. In its short history Local JuJu
has already made an impressive impact on the central Florida music
community. Upon hearing them for the first time Stephen and Patricia Dees of
the Bandees were so impressed by their sound that Stephen offered to produce
their song "Mirror Game'. The track, written by Helena about the
insecurities and acceptance issues a young girl faces in today's superficial
world was awarded the "Most Poetic-Profound Song of the Year" at the 2003
SSA Awards Show. The group performed live via the internet on Daytona Beach
Live as well as several area venues including the Deland Original Music
Festival one of the largest festivals of its kind in the US.
When Helena Yates was 4 years old her parents bought a piano into her life.
They were delighted yet not surprised she showed an immediate interest.
Helena had always displayed an intense passion for music. Not only did she
strive to play the piano she also began singing and composing songs. It was
a defining moment for the precocious child setting her on a course she was
to embrace and has become a life long passion. In addition to her piano
lessons at age nine she began playing the flute and at 20 added the guitar.
It eventually became her instrument of choice. At age 27 Helena decided it
was finally time to take the plunge and start performing her music live.
First as a solo act at coffee houses and small venues. Later, to gain
experience, she joined a working club band as a singer and
multi-instrumentalist. Helena's creative instincts haven't been limited to
just music. She is also a trained classical dancer and teacher. She has
performed in various classical and contemporary ballets as well as, Modern,
Jazz, Middle Eastern dance and as a performance artist with Perego. In 2002
she founded Local JuJu contributing her skills as singer, songwriter,
guitarist and flutist.
Jaime Tauler, like his sister Helena, was bitten by the music bug very early
on. At the ripe old age of 2 a highchair and two spoons were Jaime's first
drum kit. In elementary school at 9 he joined his sister in the school band
playing the snare drum. She later taught him how to read notes on a set of
bells for a high school audition, so began his love of melodic percussion.
He studied orchestral percussion at the University of Maryland, earning a
Masters of Music at the age of 23. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy as a
rock drummer. Based in Seattle he toured all over the Northwest and
Midwest, performing everywhere from parades to stadiums. After being
honorably discharged Jaime was invited by Helena to come to Florida and
start the band she always dreamed of. So he did, adding not only his
accomplished drumming but also his song writing and arranging skills. Jaime
recently attended Stetson University where he earned a degree in Digital Arts
and now teaches
lessons in percussion and music technology in Daytona, Florida.
Jeff Yates sang before he even spoke, at least that is what his mother told
him. Born and raised just outside of our nation's capital he started
classical guitar lessons at age 8 because his parents thought it would make
him a more rounded musician. Possessing an impressive vocal range and a
particular fascination for lyrics and poetry, Jeff realized that all he
really wanted to do was sing but nobody just wanted a singer so an
instrument was a necessity. At age 13 with guitar in hand he joined his
first garage band "Fast Action" and spent most of his teen years moving from
one band to another. By age 18 he decided to move away from performing and
concentrate on recording. Eventually he put music aside completely and
figured it was time to grow up and get a real job and become a productive
member of society. That all changed when he met his future wife and taught
her some chords on the guitar. She ran with it. Now she plays better than
him! This loving union lit the spark that eventually inspired Helena to form
a band. She already had Jaime on drums but needed a bassist. After some
coercion and a little begging Jeff graciously offered to fill the position
and thus Local JuJu was born.
Their first full length CD "Solstice" is currently in production.