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JJ Soul Band

Icelandic band, fronted by UK vocalist/songwriter/lyricist John Soul. When living in Iceland for a brief period (‘91-‘97), John met songwriter Ingvi Þór Kormáksson and soon they began writing music together. In 1994 they made their first album, ‘Hungry for News’, with JJ Soul Band, and in 1997, ‘City Life’. On both albums the music is many-sided; Blues, R&B, Fusion, Rock, Pop and even Samba, sometimes all in one (Blues- conFusion?). The third album was ‘Reach for the Sky’ (2002) and finally there was “Bright Lights” in 2008. And then two "lost and found" tracks, Wild About You and Some Nights, were unexpectedly discovered in 2019, and published in April 2020, eleven years after the band quit performing and recording. JJ Soul passed away August 10th 2020.

Awards

"CITY LIFE" (City Life) - 1. prize; R&B/Jazz category; USA Songwriting Competition, 1997. “ANGELIQUE” (Reach For The Sky) 1. prize; Jazz/Blues cat.; Pacific International Song Contest, 2005 “COOL TONIGHT” (Reach For The Sky) – 1st Place Award; SongPrize, 2004 "WATCH OUT" (Hungry For News) - 2. prize; the 4th Hastings International Songwriting Contest, 1996. "ALTERED STATES" (City Life) - achievement award; UNISONG International Song Contest 1997 "CAN´T WAIT A LIFETIME" (Reach For the Sky) honor award; The Great American Song Contest, 2000. “THE TIMES WE’RE LIVING IN” (Reach For The Sky) – finalist; UK Songwriting Contest, 2002. “BETTER” (Reach For The Sky) – finalist; Unisong International Song Contest, 2003. “MOONBRIGHT – MOONLIGHT” (Reach For The Sky) – finalist (jazz&blues); UK Songwriting Contest, 2003. “COOL TONIGHT” (Reach For The Sky) – honorable mention award; Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, 2003 JJ SOUL BAND (album: Reach For The Sky) - finalist (Blues/R&B); Independent Music Awards, 2004 “GETTING COLDER BY THE YEAR” (Bright Lights) – Nominee; Los Angeles Music Awards 2007. “REALLY WILD” (Bright Lights) – Nominated for Hollywood Music Awards 2008 “I’VE BEEN HAD AGAIN” (Bright Lights) - Finalist (Jazz/Blues) UNISONG Intern. Song Contest 2009 “BRIGHT LIGHTS” (Bright Lights) - Finalist (Jazz/Blues) UNISONG International Song Contest 2009 “FRONT PAGE NEWS” (Bright Lights) - Finalist (Open); IAMA, Intern. Accoustic Music Awards 2011 “THAT KINDA MAN” (Bright Lights) - Nominated HMMA, Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2013. “REALLY WILD” (Bright Lights) – Finalist USA Songwriting Competition 2015 “I’VE BEEN HAD AGAIN” (Bright Lights) – Finalist, (Jazz/Blues) UK Songwriting Contest 2017


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91
Interview

Sharon Jones from Jameson to Fela Kuti, Preshow Rites of a Soul Band

Sharon Jones from Jameson to Fela Kuti, Preshow Rites of a Soul Band

Source: Michael Ricci

SHARON JONES is, as the saying goes, the real deal. A 5-foot-1 vocal powerhouse who has been nicknamed the Queen of Funk, Ms. Jones, 53, grew up singing at home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, in church and in local bands.

But professional success in music eluded her; for a time she worked as a prison guard at Rikers Island, where the inmates would sometimes make requests. Now, as the leader of the Dap-Kings, the house band of the Brooklyn record label ...

311
Obituary

Bobby Espinosa Keyboardist for '70s Latin Soul Band El Chicano Dies

Bobby Espinosa  Keyboardist for '70s Latin Soul Band El Chicano Dies

Source: Michael Ricci

Bobby Espinosa, played keyboard for El Chicano. The East L.A. band had top-40 hits in the 1970s with “Viva Tirado" and “Tell Her She's Lovely." “El Chicano hit a groove that defined 'Latin soul' on the West Coast," said guitarist and producer Ry Cooder. Bobby Espinosa, a keyboard player who helped create the confluence of jazz, R&B and rock sounds for El Chicano, the East L.A. band that had top-40 hits in the 1970s with “Viva Tirado" and “Tell Her ...

65
Event

The Vault VIP Lounge Welcomes the Return of the Scott Martin Latin Soul Band on Friday, August 28

The Vault VIP Lounge Welcomes the Return of the Scott Martin Latin Soul Band on Friday, August 28

Source: All About Jazz

The Vault VIP Lounge, located inside the OC Pavilion, is pleased to welcome the return of The Scott Martin Latin Soul Band on August 28 starting at 8 PM. Once a basement vault for a large bank, the Vault VIP Lounge has been transformed into a plush nightclub with hightop tables, leather sofas, intricate art pieces and romantic lighting. Scott Martin plays tenor, alto, baritone and soprano saxophone and flute. He has performed all over the world with many artists ...

162
Event

The Vault VIP Lounge Welcomes the Scott Martin Latin Soul Band on Friday, June 29

The Vault VIP Lounge Welcomes the Scott Martin Latin Soul Band on Friday, June 29

Source: All About Jazz

The Vault VIP, located inside the OC Pavilion, is pleased to welcome The Scott Martin Latin Soul Band on June 29 starting at 8 PM. Once a basement vault for a large bank, the Vault VIP Lounge has been transformed into a plush nightclub with hightop tables, leather sofas, intricate art pieces and romantic lighting. Scott Martin plays tenor, alto, baritone and soprano saxophone and flute. He has performed all over the world with many artists but is best known ...

“…seldom heard more talented musicians gathered on one album…” Bobtje Blues, 12/08 2008
“…a fine and solid album, unaffected and competent.” Morgunbladid, 09/08 2008
“…unimpeachable mixing…excellent musicianship…” Monitor, 19/08/2008
“Damned good album” Frettabladid, 18/12 2008

Ben Sidran
piano and vocals
Georgie Fame
piano and vocals
Steely Dan
band / ensemble / orchestra

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Tom Scott
saxophone, tenor

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