Soul Purpose is a dynamic 7-piece band from New York’s Hudson Valley, known for their unique blend of New Orleans funk, classic soul, and swinging rhythm & blues. With a powerhouse horn section, driving rhythm, and soaring vocals, the band delivers a high-energy live experience that gets audiences on their feet and keeps them there. Recently named the one of the Hudson Valley’s best bands by Chronogram Magazine, Soul Purpose is a collective of seasoned musicians with a shared love for the music that moves both body and spirit.
Throughout their nearly twenty-year history, the band has played at numerous venues from weddings, private parties and intimate concerts to larger festival stages and benefits. Soul Purpose has headlined at the famed Daryl's House Club, Pawling, NY, iconic Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon, NY, historic Colony, Woodstock, NY and renowned Falcon, Marlboro, NY. The band has also opened for such prominent artists as Grammy Award Nominee and Blues Music Award Nominee, Shemekia Copeland; Grammy Award Nominee Singer/Songwriter Blues Album, Slam Allen and the Chris O’Leary Band.
Described by the Huguenot Herald as “a smokin’ band whose joyous renditions of R&B, Soul and Swing will lift your heart, gathering the boisterous energy of a dancing crowd and channeling it into a melodic explosion”, Soul Purpose delivers a visceral rhythm and soul sound to an ever-growing fan base.
Also find us on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
SARA ESPINOSA - Lead Vocals
Sara Espinosa is the powerhouse lead vocalist of Soul Purpose, known for her commanding stage presence and dynamic vocal range. With roots in college bands at the University of Oregon, years fronting Followers of the Shoe in Seattle, and now leading Soul Purpose in New York’s Hudson Valley, Sara has built a reputation as a captivating, collaborative performer whose voice brings both grit and soul. Her ability to move effortlessly from raw power to tender nuance makes her an unforgettable frontwoman and the driving force at the center of the band’s sound.
DR. LORI MORRIS - Alto, tenor and soprano saxes, flute, percussion and vocals
Dr. Lori has performed from California to New York and in Europe. Her joie di vivre shows in every note she plays! In addition to Soul Purpose, Dr. Lori performs with numerous other Hudson Valley ensembles including Tin Horn Uprising, an activist group playing New Orleans 2nd line music for marches and rallies to keep our democracy strong!
RICH DE CROSTA - Trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals, percussion.
Rich has played in groups around the Hudson Valley, up and down the east coast, California and Europe. Rich has performed or recorded with The Orlons of Don't Hang Up and South Street fame, The Christine Spero Group, The Felice Brothers, Byard Lancaster, Gary Windo, Blueberry and Pete Seeger. Rich has played with Soul Purpose since its first gig.
ROBERT "CUE" GERHARDS - Guitar and Vocals
Cue is a Luthier who plays guitars he has designed and hand crafted in his own shop. Having played many styles of music throughout the northeast, his style fits the Soul Purpose Band to a tee. Some of Cue's highlight's include playing The Ed Sullivan Theater Stage, New York City and as well as The Egg, Albany NY. Cue has also jammed with diverse musicians such as Little Sammy Davis and Del McCoury.
For more information on Cue's hand crafted guitars, go to:
http://www.GerhardsGuitarworks.com/
FRANCIS RALSTON - Bass
Francis has been playing bass professionally for over 35 years. His experience in many styles of music has allowed him to perform with bands across the US, the Caribbean and Europe. Membership in the Jazz Pioneers and Soul Purpose represents a "return to his roots" of R&B, blues and jazz.
JERRY TETERS - Drumset, percussion and vocals
It was during his later high school years in Monmouth County, New Jersey, that Teters met other musicians who were already playing blues, rock and roll, and the current rock music of the early seventies. Bruce Springsteen was a local up and coming rocker in his area who was becoming very popular. Through seeing Springsteen perform many times, Teters began to see how important the rhythm section… especially the drummer, was to the music. Although rock and roll was exciting, Teters’ drumming style was greatly influenced by his love for jazz, funk and world music.
In NYC, Jerry studied with drum instructor, Sam Ulano, and Hank Jaramillo (Broadway show drummer). Teters quotes, “Much like the love I have for painting, my passion for music and drumming covers many styles. For me, it’s all one big happy stew of expression, whether it is sound or the visual.”