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Meet the Band | Calendar of Events | Media Contact
Rhythm & Blues/Soul is
firmly establishing new roots in the live music capital of the world by
laying a whole new foundation for the next generation of soul.
The First Season • The First Band
Urban Soul
is Austin’s newest R&B/Soul band—and the genesis for
what Urban Music Festival producers anticipate will be an extended
legacy of young Austin artists that begin to embrace a new attitude and
appreciation for Rhythm & Blues/Soul music.
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Acacia Denise
Jennings,
Vocalist
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Nija Morrow,
Vocalist
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Mariah Monique
Roberson
Vocalist
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Jacilius “JD” Smith,
Bass Guitar
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David
Winsman,
Guitar
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Jacquelyn Venson,
Keyboards
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Karriem Bey Williams, Jr.,
Drummer
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Photgraphy by Anthony Pennie of AP40
Urban Soul
features the pristine talents of Jacquelyn Venson on the keyboards;
Jacilius “JD” Smith (bass) and David Winsman on guitar--
all anchored by drummer Karriem Williams, Jr. On the front line the
band showcases an amazing trio with vocalists: Acacia Jennings, Nija
Morrow and Mariah Roberson. This gifted group of teenagers takes old
school and contemporary R&B/soul hits and puts their own personal
stamp of clean funk on every song. Ranging in age from 12-18, together
these seven youngsters capture the soulful adult sounds of Chaka Khan,
Jill Scott and Alicia Keyes. Both as vocalists and instrumentalists, Urban Soul proves that “age ain’t nothin’ but a number” when true talent is acknowledged, nurtured and released.
The Urban Soul Band is part of a new initiative which is sponsored by a program called the Soul Tree Collective: Replanting the Soul and R&B Musical Roots Into Our Youth”. Through
the unparalleled support of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department
and the Urban Music Festival, Soul Tree Collective was formed as a
vehicle to audition, mentor and develop a new R&B/Soul group of
aspiring young musicians and create a band that will debut on the Urban
Music Festival main stage during each program year.
The Urban Music Festival 2007 is pleased to introduce Urban Soul – “The Soul band of the Future”.
- Program Coordinator – Homer Hill
- Lead Band Mentors – Magic and the Unified Tribe
Additional Band Mentors
- Guy Butler – Sound, Lights, Production
- Blues Boy Hubbard – Professional Blues Guitarist
- Angela Charles – Band Administrator
- Kimberly M. Gist – Publicist and Artist Development
- Edwin Hardin – Shining Starz Organization
| February 2007 |
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| Date |
Event / Location |
Time |
| 17 |
Private Listening Reception, George Washington Carver Museum |
3:00pm |
| 23 |
Austin Toros Pre-Game Show, Austin Convention Center |
6:30pm |
| 26 |
Austin Energy/City of Austin Black History Month Celebration |
6:00pm |
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| March 2007 |
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| Date |
Event / Location |
Time |
| TBA |
Listening Party (Public)TBA |
TBA |
You may direct press inquiries to Kimberly Gist, kgist@urbanmusicfest.com
or call (512) 314-5433.
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