The Soul Searchers

From left to right:

Hal Saylor – Drums
Lanard Perry – Trumpet
Brian Stevens – Trombone
Charlie Blade – Saxophone
Bruce Brashear – Organ
Allen McCollum – Bass
Charles Henry – Rhythm

Little Jake & The Soul Searchers — that’s what you get when you combine Jake with The Blacklash Horns and a powerful rhythm section. The band has an authentic repertoire of R&B stagecraft to support their classic repertoire of songs. Depending on the venue, Jake and the band treat audiences to sights and sounds seldom seen or heard since the golden age of R&B: an opening singer on the drum kit, Hal “Halag8r” Saylor; a dynamic, audience-walking lead singer; a strolling horn section; a full-time emcee/announcer, Kenny “The Conductor” Eunice; and one of the funkiest rhythm sections around. The band’s roots are deep, featuring sidemen who worked with Ike and Tina Turner, Billy Joe Royal, Ernie K Doe, and other R&B and rock pioneers.

The Blacklash Horns, organized by Charlie Blade, include two original members from Florida’s R&B pioneer band, Blacklash: Blade on saxes, and long-time collaborator Lanard Perry on trumpet. They are joined by Brian Stevens on trombone. Classic R&B section-horn energy, funky improvisation by the whole horn section, a great appearance, and a topnotch sound system make the Blacklash Horns an integral part of the Jake Mitchell experience.

The rhythm section features Bruce Brashear, holding forth on the real deal—a vintage Hammond B-3 organ that anchors the band. Bruce is joined by seasoned Florida guitarist Charles Henry, who can play it funky, and does. On Fender bass, with years of experience beginning with Billy Joe Royal‘s road band, Allen McCollum keeps the bass line bumping and jumping. Providing energetic pulse and punctuation, and singing the opening set: Hal Saylor on drums and vocals.