Band Bio

SoulTempleBand is a musical powerhouse! Based in Boston, the group combines the talents of five exciting and experienced musicians to create an entertaining mix of rock, pop, soul, blues, jazz and swing.  SoulTempleBand’s interplay of male and female vocals and saxophone solos combined with gospel-flavored keyboard, propulsive bass, and rock-steady drumming delivers a sound celebration. An event with  SoulTempleBand on stage will get crowds dancing at parties and weddings and delight guests during cocktail hour or dinner for an entertainment experience to remember.

Individual Bios:

Pianist and vocalist Geoffrey Dana Hicks is a musician of many talents. An engaging and accomplished performer, Geoff has been invited to entertain at countless venues throughout Boston and the United States, including the John F. Kennedy Library, Symphony Hall, The Top of the Hub, Carnegie Hall and the White House. He has performed along side artists such as Stevie Wonder and Yo-Yo Ma, and has entertained presidents and dignitaries like Gerald Ford and Nelson Mandela. He has recorded a number of CD’s including “Take me away,” “Cartagena,” “My Favorite Swings,” and “Besame Mucho,” which feature exciting collections of originals and standard smooth jazz. Geoff’s versatility and unique abilities assure that every event is exciting and memorable.

 

Born and raised in Detroit, Carolynne Brown grew up singing in the soulful R&B style of Motown. She emerged as a versatile performing artist singing everything from pop and gospel to classical and theater music. Carolynne works as a session singer for various recording studios and artists, including Hip Hop artist, JUMA, and has performed live with jazz, wedding and church bands. She has worked as an industry singer for companies like Staples, Inc., and the Ignite Restaurant Group, and was recently a featured soloist with the Boston Civic Symphony. Carolynne draws audiences in with her captivating voice and contagious energy, bringing a special measure of enthusiasm and spirit to every occasion.

 

Doug Leaffer is a performing saxophonist who has been on the Boston/New England jazz, rock, gospel and GB circuit since the early 1980’s. Doug was acclaimed by JazzTimes magazine as a “fine soloist” for recorded work done with the Pocket Big Band jazz nonet on the SeaBreeze Jazz label. He also recorded two CD’s released on Immigrant City Records with the Rico Barr band, nominated as National Swing Band of the Year. In performance, Doug opened for Count Basie saxophonist Frank Foster’s Loud Minority, Roomful of Blues, and members of the J.Geils Band. Doug has performed in jazz clubs and music venues in Quebec, Korea and Taiwan. Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Bill Cunliffe calls Doug an “interesting and soulful player,” and you will too once you’ve heard his outstanding renderings of your favorite tunes.

Melvin Graham has been lending his propulsive, soul-infused bass to a wide variety of jazz, R&B, rock, gospel, funk, Top 40, and classical performances for over forty years. He recorded and played with T.J. Wheeler and the Smokers for more than twenty years and throughout his career has performed and recorded with numerous jazz musicians throughout the United States and Canada. He holds a B.M. in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, and a M.M. in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory. In addition to his dexterity on the electric bass, Melvin is also an accomplished string bassist.

Steve Silverstein brings years of experience as a drum set artist to every musical event. As a highly sought-after percussionist, he has played all over the world with a wide range of jazz artists including Harry Allen, Bunky Green, Joshua Breakstone, and the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Steve has performed at notable venues and events including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, Birdland, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as well as on television, for ABC’s 20/20 and NBC’s The Today Show. Steve is in strong demand as a percussion teacher, and was a long time member of the International Association of Jazz Educators, as well as the American Federation of Musicians.