The Band
Jim Stringer 2019
Jim Stringer - guitar & vocals
He was there when this music was created and learned the all important groove first hand from some of the masters. Kansas City was still alive with jazz, blues and gospel in the late 50s and early 60s. Kansas City area clubs featued acts such as Wilson Pickett, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Ike and Tina Turner... and so on. It wasn't quite religion, but these artists preached a message through their music and Stringer hopes Soul Twist will carry that message on to today's audiences.
Martha Meriell
ca. 2019
Martha Merriell - lead vocals
TBA
Alan Barnette
ca. 2019
"Uptown" Alan Barnette - lead vocals
Powerful vocals -- that's probably the most common phrase used to describe Barnette's delivery. Whether channeling Bobby Bland and wringing it out on "Cry, Cry, Cry", or rockin' it out like Hank Ballard on "Sexy Ways", Barnette always makes it authentic.
Jack Paine
"Jumpin'" Jack Paine - tenor sax
A musician all his life, Jack Paine met Erbie Bowser and T.D. Bell at the Continental Club the first week he was in Austin. Erbie took a shine to Jack and invited him to join them on stage for the Blues Specialists Friday night gigs. He went on to play with various bands including Shake 'Em on Down, Larry Lange and the Lonely Knights, Sideshow Five and many more. He became a consistent featured guest at the Norton's Wednesday night gigs at the Saxon Pub where the audience got a regular dose of Jack's authentic "rusty axe". Soul Twist and its soulful set lists are sure to bring out his best.
Carl Keesee 1998
"Lowdown" Carl Keesee - bass & vocals
In college, Keesee played bass in a local Abilene Tx. band that administered a large dose of soul music. Leaving Abilene, he targeted New York City with the seminal folk-rock group, Lazarus, and recorded records for Warner Bros./Bearviller with producers Peter Yarrow and the legendary, Phil Ramone. Moving on to Toronto, he and Lazarus recorded two more records for A&M. After a stint with Tom Wilson and The Florida Razors, Keesee returned to Texas where he has prformed with many bands in many genres. This new project, "Soul Twist", brings him full circle to his soul band beginnings..
Scott French
Scott French - drums & vocals
TBA
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First Wave
Soul Fact
Marvin Gaye's earlest role with Motown was as a session drummer. Motown didn't keep fully accurate records, but it's agreed that Gaye played drums Marvelettes' hit song, "Please Mr. Postman". Along with Smokey Robinson, Barrett Strong, and a few others, Gaye was one of the archetects of the Motown Sound that became the powerhouse of the later years.