Urban Soul
Urban Soul

Celebrating History to Create Legacy

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.

. . .
Acacia Denise
Jennings,
Vocalist
Nija Morrow,
Vocalist
Mariah Monique
Roberson
Vocalist

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Jacilius “JD” Smith,
Bass Guitar
David
Winsman,
Guitar
Jacquelyn Venson,
Keyboards
Karriem Bey Williams, Jr.,
Drummer

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”.

Additional Band Mentors