Way back in time, whilst the rest of the world wrestled with the rise of the internet, grunge and girl power a group of Dorset musicians decided to form a band around the mighty yet sublime vocal talents of a young Jess Upton.
The Jess Upton Soul Band regularly packed out venues across the South of England and beyond. After their sell out reunion gig at the Electric Palace, the Jess Upton Soul Band are back with more American Soulbook classics.
The Gig
Expect all the soul classics from Aretha, Stevie Wonder and many more – RESPECT, Street Life, Try a Little Tenderness, Can’t Stand the Rain to name a few. Live once more at the fabulous Electric Palace Bridport.
The Band
Jess Upton has wowed audiences over many years with her unique, powerful voice. Although Jess is very much a local, her vocals are touched by Memphis, Nashville and Detroit delivering songs by Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Carla Thomas to name a few. If you’ve been fortunate enough to see the Jess Upton & The Guilty Pleasures live you’ll know Jess is one of the finest singers in the South West.
Sammy Hurden is a pianist and vocal teacher who gets all the right harmonies in the right places and plays keys at the same time! Sammy runs singing workshops and is one of Bridports musical guiding lights.
Steve Wilson stepped in on bass for the reunion gig and returns again. Steve regularly plays with Jess and the Guilty Pleasures band as well as a frequent collaborator with local legend Robbie McIntosh.
Dave Kenderdine is the the most reliable, groovy drummer who has provided the beat since the Soul Bands inception. Weymouths own Ringo Starr with a dash of Ginger Baker.
Steve Mutter is not only the most awesome and in demand percussionist locally, he’s also an expert at backing vocals. Steve is a member of local group What the Phunk and if you’re lucky, Steve will explain in detail what a bongo is, and a conga isn’t !
Dan Anderson is an amazing guitarist at home in any musical setting. He is in more bands than he has guitars! That’s a lot. Dan is stepping in for Terry Cottam, but has been a rock solid dep for the JUSB over the years.
Clive Ashley is the go-to player if your band needs soul power and can be heard locally with the Mutter Slater Band. The saxophonist who can play jazz, RnB, funk and blues and sound mighty fine doing any of them.
Julie Trevett on Alto Sax, is part of the Trevett musical dynasty! Julie has been educating the young musicians of the south west for a few decades now, and is back to teach us a thing or two about sounding great !
Matt Barge is a trumpet player. Locals may recognise him as the guy who waves his arms in front of the Bridport Big Band. He is also in What the Phunk with Dan and Steve!
