Musical Melting Pot Ready to Stir

It’s taken musician Peter B. Allen three years, but his vision of a multicultural band featuring a blend of different musical styles comes to life as Totem, playing Saturday at One Colorado in Pasadena.

Originally, he wanted to bring musicians here from all over the world.

But then, “I realized that everybody lived here (already). If you wanted to do Irish music or Ukrainian music, you could find people that do that,” he said.

Allen conceded that the Irish and Ukrainian examples aren’t the best, because Totem’s blend is actually a mix of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, funk and jazz styles.

“I’m probably going to rub some purists the wrong way,” he said. “This is a mix of styles. It’s a blend of styles. It has to be because we have people from so many different styles.”

The 13 band members are Asian, Hispanic, Black, male, female.

“We have a guy from Israel,” said Allen, who is Caucasian.

Allen began getting people together about three months ago.

“It just kept growing, and actually this is as big as it would ever need to get,” he said.

The name Totem refers to a symbol, and that’s what Allen is looking for in his band.

“To me, it’s so important . . . to break down these barriers that exist,” he said.

Students from the Art Center College of Design will also be holding their art sale in the complex at the same time.

Their hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“I changed my date to coincide with that event cause it’ll just be stronger,” Allen said.

The band will play in the courtyard, Colorado Blvd. and Fair Oaks Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.