Colombia native Santiago Orozco seeks to unite people from all walks of life through his eclectic blend of music: Spanish Rumba, Reggae, Brazilian, Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds, combined with elements of Pop, Rock and Electronic. Sharing messages of acceptance, equality and love, Santiago carries with him boundless inspiration garnered through extensive travel and discovery — as well as a distinctive connection to his compositions, to his audiences, and to the moment. 

Santiago, a current Los Angeles resident, established the lively, award-winning group, Todo Mundo, in 2009. He remained the band’s singer, primary guitarist and sole songwriter throughout its eight-year tenure. With Santiago’s earliest musical influences being Ska and Punk, Todo Mundo quickly became known for its unique fusion of genres and its uplifting, energetic concerts. Todo Mundo toured internationally and performed at festivals including Lightning in a Bottle, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Kaaboo Del Mar, Wichita River Fest and South Africa’s Smoking Dragon Festival. The group served as a supporting act for several renowned artists including The Roots, The Wailers, the San Diego Symphony, Richard Thompson and Lucinda Williams. Todo Mundo also performed its own headlining shows, exclusive radio and television segments, and various corporate and private events. 

Initially based in San Diego — the first city in which Santiago lived upon emigrating to the United States — Todo Mundo earned multiple San Diego Music Awards for “Best World Music.” The band was also gifted an award by the City of San Diego’s Human Relation Commission for its efforts to promote diversity through music. In addition to Todo Mundo’s music, Santiago reflected cultural diversity through recruiting band members with backgrounds from all over the world: Jamaica, Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico, among other countries. 

Santiago brought on Grammy-winning Alan Sanderson (Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Ziggy Marley) to engineer Todo Mundo’s debut record, Conexion, which earned “Best World Music Album” at the 2014 San Diego Music Awards. In 2015, NPR's Alt.Latino program named Todo Mundo among the station’s favorite contestants of the NPR Tiny Desk Contest; it featured the group’s music in one of its podcasts. 

As Santiago’s artistic and personal journeys evolved, so did his music. Wanting to reflect his newfound Electronic music tastes and explore deeper lyrical themes of solitude and self-discovery, Santiago embarked on his next project, Within, in 2018. Santiago cites that he named the group after “the ocean of innumerable emotions that this human journey carries 'within.’” Describing the band’s sound, Santiago states, “It is beyond a singular definition or label…[it is] a fusion as diverse and open as life.” While Within’s modern and layered sounds differ from those of its predecessor, Todo Mundo, Santiago maintains the same goal: to write honest music to which people can relate — music that serves as a positive, healing force.   

Within released its debut album, “Colors + Moments,” in Spring 2018. The album was recorded at various studios throughout Los Angeles. “Colors + Moments” features a cast of accomplished musicians including trombonist Ricky Lucchese (Beyoncé) and keyboardist Joe Berry (M83). Producers Captain Planet, Chico Mann and Allen French contributed to Within’s debut, in addition to acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Devyn Rush. “Colors + Moments” is the first collection of music that Santiago has written and sung fully in English. Santiago also stars in the music video for the album’s single, “My Only Way.” Within recently opened for celebrated funk band Lettuce at the inaugural Same Same But Different Festival in Lake Perris, CA. The group plans to continue touring in support of its debut and will release a live, acoustic album in December 2018.

Santiago’s love of music was sparked during his adolescence, which was spent teaching himself how to play the guitar conveniently located in his family’s Bogotá home. He brought that guitar everywhere he traveled, continually writing music inspired by his surroundings. Performing for everyone he met along the way, Santiago soon witnessed the indescribable power of music and made the decision to become a full-time artist. 

Santiago’s California move was inspired by musician Manu Chao’s “Bienvenida a Tijuana,” in which the lyrics, “I wanna go to San Diego,” are sung. Not knowing anyone in Southern California, Santiago sought out bandmates on the streets upon his U.S. arrival. He immediately began performing at a local farmers’ market, through which he met fellow passionate musicians: percussionist Jake Sibley and trumpet player Melissa Barrison. Together, the trio formed the core of what would ultimately take shape as Todo Mundo.

Nearly a decade into his professional career, Santiago continues to live his dream of traveling the world and uniting people through a universal language of music. While his projects may vary as time goes on, what remains a constant is his dedication to finding powerful ways to portray the human experience; finding knowledge and inspiration in his environments; finding initiatives to give back to society; and finding himself.

Santiago is endorsed by Godin Guitars. He has previously been involved with Hands of Peace, an interfaith organization centered on peace-building and leadership among teens in the Middle East and United States.