Liquid Soul

Liquid Soul is a jazz, hip-hop, funk, freestyle fusion ensemble formed in 1993 from Chicago, Illinois which helped pioneer the acid jazz movement in the United States in the 90s. Coined "Beyond Acid Jazz"[1] by founder Mars Williams who plays with The Psychedelic Furs and previously with The Waitresses and Billy Idol, and co-founded by guitarist Tommy Klein, from the Spies Who Surf, the band's 2000 album Here's the Deal was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category.

Tom Klein
Liquid Soul during their 20th Anniversary Show at the Double Door January 2013
Liquid Soul horn section during their 20th anniversary show at the Double Door January 2013
Mars Williams, with Liquid Soul at the Double Door January 2011

History

Their first regular venue was at Chicago's Elbo Room, where their quickly-growing popularity led to the release of their self-titled, debut album Liquid Soul by Ark 21 Records. A well-popularized appearance at Dennis Rodman's birthday party added to their notoriety. They were the main feature at Double Door in Wicker Park for almost four years (Feb. 1996 to Dec. 1999). Subsequent tours took them across the United States and Canada, plus performances in Germany, Turkey and Japan. They have opened for Sting and Isaac Hayes, played at Bill Clinton's second Inaugural Parade and 21st Century Ball, and were the first acid jazz band to play at the Newport Jazz Festival.[2] They also appeared twice at the South By Southwest Music Festival where the Austin American-Statesman referred to them as "the single hottest showcase of the festival." They have recorded four more CDs: Make Some Noise (produced by Ark 21 Records in 1998), Grammy-nominated Here's the Deal (produced by Shanachie Records in 2000), Evolution (produced by Shanachie in 2002) and most recently One-Two Punch (produced by major label Telarc in 2006).

Notable performance venues

Band members
Liquid Soul 20th Anniversary Band at the Double Door January 2013

Past members include...

  • Simone – Vocals
  • Race – MC
  • Mr. Greenweedz – MC
  • Dan Leali – Drums
  • Jonathan Marks – Drums
  • Bret Zwier – Drums
  • Hugh Ragin – Trumpet
  • Andrew Distel - Trumpet
  • Omega (Vikki Stokes) - Vocals
  • Andy Baker – Trombone
  • Tony Taylor – Drums
  • Tom Sanchez – Guitar
  • Eddie Mills – DJ
  • DJ Logic – DJ
  • Ajax – DJ
  • Jesse De La Pena – original DJ
  • Josh Ramos – Bass
  • Phil Ajjarapu – Bass
  • Newt Cole – Percussion
  • Frankie Hill – Keyboards

Discography

References
  1. http://vermontreview.tripod.com/Interviews/liquidsoul.htm Mars Williams interview with Brian L. Knight of The Vermont Review
  2. http://vermontreview.tripod.com/Interviews/liquidsoul.htm Mars Williams interview with Brian L. Knight in The Vermont Review
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