- country:Canada
- style(s):Afro, Soul
- label:Strut Rec !K7
- type:Band
- gender:male, female
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal, brass
- artist posted by:La Candela, artist booking & promotion
Line up
- MARIELLE BÉRUBÉ
- PHILIPPE LAFRENIÈRE
- PIERRE CHRÉTIEN
- RAYMOND MURRAY
- STEVEN PATTERSON
- ZAKARI FRANTZ
Links
BOOKING
Territory: Germany / Austria / Switzerland
Period: October 2015 / 2016 on request
New album: Resistance (Release: September 8th 2015, Strut Records)
Hailing from Ottawa, Canada since 2005 The Souljazz Orchestra is firing up the planet with their vital analogue techniques and a unique blend of Soul music effortlessly fusing Afro beats, Latin rhythms, spiritual jazz and 60s funk to move forward the blueprints of Fela and Fania in entirely new ways. The numerous live shows of the 6-piece band across the US, Canada and Europe have become the stuff of legend, sparking instant parties wherever they play.
Based on being truly open to global music of all kinds and on the individual experiences of the Orchestra’s band members collaborating with musicians from Nigeria to Rwanda, from Cuba to Haiti, the musical journey of SJO continues in February 2014 with the release of their 4th Album ‘Inner Fire’ on Strut Records. On ‘Inner Fire’ different vibes come thick and fast, ranging from bumping fusion of cinematic soul-jazz with Cuban bolero sounds to a salsa dura party jam and from spiritual jazz using Eastern modes to heavy 12/8 afro-jazz influenced by Guinean popular music.
Since their first album back in 2005, The Souljazz Orchestra have become the undisputed leaders in their field, breaking through with the huge international hit ‘Mista President’ (Do Right!, 2007). The all-acoustic, instrumental ‘Rising Sun’ (Strut, 2010) was recognized as a landmark in deep, spiritual Afro jazz. The Soul Orchestra’s third album ‘Solidarity’ (Strut, 2012) pushed boundaries of soul, jazz and tropical styles to spread a powerful message of positive social change.
Since the very beginning the band has remained a tight unit with it’s original line-up! After several successful European tours and festival appearances at Montreux Jazz, The Big Chill, Glastonbury and North Sea Jazz Festival, among others, SJO had the most busy year on the road in 2013, including a sold-out show at the New Morning in Paris, a first US-Tour, high profile festival slots alongside Pharoah Sanders, Stevie Wonder and Raphael Saadiq as well as a ‘Battle Suite’ for the B-Boy Battle Finals.
In October 2015 The Souljazz Orchestra will return to Europe with their upcoming album ‘Resistance’ (Strut, 8th of September 2015) to stir up the crowd with their energetic live performance.
Line-Up:
Pierre Chrétien – vintage keyboards, percussion, vocals
Marielle Rivard – percussion, vocals
Steve Patterson – tenor saxophone, percussion, vocals
Ray Murray – baritone saxophone, percussion, vocals
Zakari Frantz – alto saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals
Philippe Lafrenière – drums, percussion, vocals