Artist description Soul River is the kind of band that defies current trends and in doing so defines them. A chic blend of Blues-Based Funk, and Tripped out Hard Rock, “The River” takes many bends, turns, and unexpected paths in their music. The ability to move in and out of various styles of music makes them musically unpredictable and exciting. It is an experience that is hard to describe without seeing it, and hard to see without feeling it. At the heart of SR is Kwesi Smith, Founder, A Guitar player whose unique approach to songwriting & guitar playing can only be described in one word.. SICK. Equally at home punishing a Hard rock riff to delicately finger picking a slow ballad, he is the ultimate in Light & Dark, Effortless Beauty & Heavy Metal Thunder… The Voice of Soul River is equally impressive, Yahvete Thomas blessed with a voice that is a heavenly mixture of sweet sultry honey, and raw knife-edged emotion, it's no wonder she is compared to the greats of yesteryear.. Born in Chicago, and raised on the blues, she has soaked up the genre and made it her own. Many believe she is next in a long line of singers with raw edge and emotion, not the bubble gum pop you hear today.. Yahvette evokes smoky memories of Janis Joplin, Etta James, Billie Holiday, and Tina Turner.. The Soul of SR lives and beats in the snare drum of Lawrence Fletcher, a jazz drummer, Larry was trained by Billy Cobham and Mike Mann. His impeccable timing is accompanied by a heaviness that has been compared to John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker he often leaves sound engineers mumbling “That Snare”, That Snare”… The Bottom of “The River” is patrolled by a Ferdinand Morton.. A bass player who fills pockets like those new Nokia phones.. Just right.. Influenced by countless musicians “Uncle Ferd” has soaked up all genres to create a new one.. Ferdness. Here lies SR’s ability to change from a Hard Rock band to an Afro-beat band to a Dub Band and back again.. The spice of Soul River is “Lucky” a person who defies definition altogether. A full time percussionist/ part time guitarist for the band she is adept at the congas, bongos, and timbales but eerily captures the spirit of all percussion instruments on a small djembe.. Her eclectic styling give SR a laid back tribal feel and allows the band stretch, relax and most importantly GROOVE.

Music Style Rock

Musical Influences Jimi Hendrix, Gov't Mule, Led Zeppelin, Galactica

Similar Artists Gov't Mule

Artist History The Beginning of Soul River starts in 1999 when founder Kwesi Smith had a head injury and had an urge to play guitar... This led to him buying a guitar and eventually jamming with another guitarist. One of these "knock around" sessions at the Off Wall Street Jam introduced Kwesi to Larry "The Hammer" Fletcher a drummer with incredible timing and that "Heavy" snare Kwesi had been hearing in his mind..". Soul River was born.. Early on Soul River was a trio with no bass, but things solidified when a bassist and lead singer were recruited.. The bands first venture into playing live music was at the downtown club the C-Note. It was a successful outing and response was strong.. They went on to play other clubs and gain fans. All under Kwesi's gentle leadership.. But it would not last.. The Singer, Bassist & 2nd Guitar player left due to artistic problems.All was not lost Kwesi and "The Hammer" stayed in touch and worked on other projects together, all the while knowing SR would rise again. And it Did... A new chapter was unknowingly written for SR when Yahvette Thomas exchanged info with Kwesi Smith at a Blues club in downtown NYC, in 2001. Two years later out of the blue Yahvette contacted Kwesi wondering if he knew of any bands looking for a Singer.."Hell Yeah.. Mine..." was the response and the rest as they say "is history".. Yahvette's smoky blend of blues, rock and soul, fit perfectly with Kwesi's Funk Rock arrangements. All of a sudden the hardships and breakups were worth it.. The New SR performed it's first gig at the acclaimed Tobacco Road Bar in New York's Hell's Kitchen with a pick-up Bassist. SR opened for FLESH another one of Kwesi's projects co-lead by Ferdinand Morton a long time friend and Bass Player. There was no signature TWIN GUITAR ATTACK, and it was mostly covers, but everyone in the audience could feel the magic. Especially on"Little Wing", "Summertime", and the original "Space Angel".. The River was Back... was only a matter of time before Kwesi asked longtime friend Ferdinand Morton to join the "River".. In doing so the line up was secured and the heavy bottom returned.. And SR rose again..

Group Members Kwesi, Ferd, Larry, Yvette, Lucky

Instruments singer, drums, bass, lead guitar, percussion/rythmn guitar

Albums Magic Man

Press Reviews Soul River blends an exotic style of Funk, Fusion, and Rock, all contained in a Jam-Based context.. No strangers to heavy "Soul- Hitting" Rock their delicate ballads are deeply contrasted by the strong riff-based Rock & Roll. Equally @ home covering Black Sabbath or Sly & The Family Stone, Soul River Shows are never dull, or worst repetitive. They are one of the most exciting artists in NYC today”. - Pat Parrilon Comstock Records.

Location Brooklyn, NY - USA

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