“Omar's Hat started on the corner of 45th and Locust when a group of musicians gathered in a place called Meskerem to spark a jam that’s never stopped since. This collective is our open act of rebellion, always expanding, never settling. This music is our love for Philadelphia, for a history of sounds that make and remake us every day. Our music is for Omar, whose dance never quit reminding us that each day is to be treasured; that you can always find magic in the everyday. This music is for you, come join in. All creative attitudes are welcomed and celebrated. Omar's Hat is free to try on and wear out and pass off to a friend or a loved one or a sister or a stranger.
​We thank you for being a part of the vibe.” 
-Isaac Silber, founding member of Omar's Hat & PHD Candidate at NYU 

Kayla "Black Buttafly" Childs, Artist, Producer, Keyboardist, Multi-Instrumentalist,

"This story and this band means a lot to me as they have cultivated a space that I not only feel welcome in as a fellow musician but feel inspired by. It is a great feeling to have such a talented and charismatic group of musicians be such a large part of this release." 
-Faith Williams of GoldStone Magazine ​

Yesseh Furaha-Ali, saxophonist, composer, visionary

"When I arrived at World Café Live at the edge of University City, I was pleasantly surprised by how young the artists were. They were all individuals in their early 20s playing and singing with meaning and soul and to be a part of that environment I felt honored. Then to my surprise at the end of their set, the floor was opened to other young artists in the room and the night went from good to great. Many talented individuals came and gave what they had and it's always so fantastic to see art in the making." 
-Bree Brown of The Vanguard

Austin "Hanglow" Marlow, drums, backline

Members of Omar's Hat have worked with a wide variety of artists including The Stylistics, Mary J. Blige, Solange, The Village People, The Force MDs, Tye Tribbet, Jermaine Holmes, Frank McComb, Sun Ra Arkestra, Immanuel Wilkins, Terence Blanchard, Ari Hoenig, George "Spanky" McCurdy, Robert "Sput" Searight, DOMi, Arnetta Johnson, STOUT, Peter Collins, Ivy Sole and Orion Sun. ​

Max Ilan Hoenig, keyboardist, curator, educator

AJAY Shughart, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist

Eric "Farmer Funk" Sherman, multi-instrumentalist and composer

Michael Spearman, professional trombonist

Alejandro Utria, percussionist, translator, preservationist

Larry Monroe Jr. aka LARRYLXVV, Guitarist