Main: The core of The Soul Section as with any great funk band is the rhythm section, which started playing together more than twenty years ago. The beat begins and ends with drummer Michael J. Perez. Mike started playing drums at an early age, honing his skills playing in drum corps, touring the country in a nationally renowned group. Playing with the Violet Fox Band, a popular Motown and Soul revue, Mike found the pleasure of putting people on the dance floor with that steady beat.
In lockstep with Mike is bassist Pete Donery. Pete has always been drawn to the driving bass lines of Motown, Stax, and James Brown. He understands how a bass line can be an irresistible force to get a dance floor bumping. Pete played with the Violet Fox Band as well.
Gus Scherer has played guitar with a wide variety of artists covering a wide range of styles. While mainly influenced by rock and blues, his love of all things ‘groove’ compliment The Soul Section to a tee.
On keyboards and vocals is Vince Nash. Vince is one of the lucky ones that has never had to take a day job. His versatile playing style and vocal range fill out this talented rhythm section. Hundreds of performances have formed this rhythm section into a cohesive unit that locks on to a groove and keeps it going all night.
A spicy all-female horn section on top of this funky foundation takes the music to the next level. Sax player Jane Fossgreen plays a wide range of styles, from New Orleans funk, rock, and blues to big band and jazz, as well as teaching music to students of all ages. Also a music teacher by day, Trumpet player Ella Steinberg has played in dozens of soul, pop, salsa and jazz bands in the Bay Area and San Diego, backing artists ranging from the Drifters to Frankie Valli to Clark Terry. Trombone player Sara Cummings puts her background in big bands, jazz and Dixieland combos, and her love of this genre to work rounding out the horn section.
Right up front is Kevin Mulligan, a lead singer and front man that knows how to get the party started. Kevin was also a key component to the success of the Violet Fox Band. He can’t stand still and knows how to connect with an audience. His charisma, understanding of performance and buoyant personality puts a jubilant face to this talented show band.
Opening: Michelle Lambert brings a world of experience when she steps up to the microphone. This Pop/Folk singer/songwriter has toured out of Nashville, Los Angeles, Denver and Miami after graduating from Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. Michelle’s latest single, Come to Me, has caught the attention of the press and reached number 1 on Indie Radio for 4 consecutive weeks! Hailing from Mendocino County, Lambert began studying violin at age 2, vocals at 5 and piano and drums soon after which helped develop her songwriting and musical foundation. She is influenced by her studies in Celtic music and female empowerment is a recurring theme in her music. She is a genre-defying 21st century talent with a lot on her mind!