Soul Driven- eight piece groove masters, Soul Driven have been kicking down venue doors all over the country with their hard-hitting, brass infused mixture of soul, funk, jazz and blues. Whether at the Waterford Spraoi Festival, Guinness Jazz Festival, or Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, the band has yet to fail in their mission to groove audiences with original arrangements of classic tunes and sheer musical virtuosity.
Cork based Soul Driven is an impressive melting pot of cultures and musical backgrounds. The local brass talent of Paul Dunlea and Roy Kelleher are joined by Belfast born Dave Carville to form one of the tightest and funkiest brass sections in the country.
The beat and groove of Soul Driven is in the hands of two UCC music school graduates, David Duffy and Davey Ryan. Both exceptionally talented musicians in their own right, together they create rock solid, yet playful beats inspired by their backgrounds in jazz, funk and R&B.
Roberto Carrazza and Emanuele Armaforte, both from Italy, moved to Cork with considersble musical experience. Roberto’s jazz and classical training and Emanuele’s jazz/bossa nova background have had a great influence on the bands improvisational approach, while also adding some Italian style. The band is joined by Niall McCabe, providing honest and dynamic vocals as he lends voice and verse to the Soul of Soul Driven.
Groovy.
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Niall McCabe, vocals
The origins of Niall’s musical development are said to be lurking in the salty bosom of an Island off the coast of Co. Mayo. Niall was born and raised on Clare Island and began his musical career singing to the lobster pots at the dock of the bay. Untrained and unpolished, Niall has developed a soulful and natural approach to making music, and as a result he does whatever he wants, whenever he wants; How Rude
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Paul Dunlea, Trombone: Cork
Paul started playing the trombone with the Barrack Street band a local concert band in Cork. Then joined the Defence Forces School of Music where he has have been working as principle trombone player in the Band of the First Southern Brigade in Cork. During this time he has toured with the band to Canada, England, Belgium, and France. Working and touring with orchestras countless shows and Theatrical productions ,Paul has become one of the most in demand trombone players in the country whilst also playing with big bands and jazz combos including the Cork City Jazz Band, Opus Pocus Big Band Waterford, The Bones of Cork, International Jazz Quintet, The Roaring Forties, Swinging Blue Cats and with his own quartet Jetlagged. Paul has also played with original bands including Fred, Frank and Walters and Avatar
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Emanuele Armaforte, guitar: Palermo
Emanuele began studying classical guitar at the age of nine. He discovered a passion for Bossa Nova at the age of eighteen, which sealed his fate as a musician. Studying in Cesena’s School of Jazz, Emanuele played in many Bossa Nova/Swing bands. He moved to Cork about a year ago, where he has quickly developed a reputation for his smooth Italian playing, as well as charm.
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Roberto Carrazza, keys: Umbria
Roberto Carrazza, another native of Italy, plays piano and keyboards for the group. After studying classical music for ten years in the conservatory of music in Perugia he turned his attention towards jazz music studying for one year with Ramberto Ciammarughi, one of the most relevant pianist on the italian jazz scene. Roberto played with several fusion/jazz and pop bands.Since he moved to Cork he increased his experience playing with musicians from many differents countries…Ciaooo!!!
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David Duffy, double & electric basses: Waterford
David is a Waterford-born musician based in Cork. An unaccomplished guitar player at age twelve, David decided to take the easy option and play bass. At age sixteen he began playing double bass and with this joined the De La Salle traditional Irish ensemble and the W.I.T orchestra. Since coming to Cork, David has played in many bands in events from the Dun Laoirghe International Music festival, the Dublin Docklands Festival, Guinness International Jazz Festival, and the Cork Midsummer Festival. David graduated in 2006 from University College Cork with BA and BMus honours degrees. Through his four years of college, David performed with international jazz musicians such as Gerard Presenger, Richie Buckley, Conor Guilfoyle. Since graduating David has persued his performance career and has recently finished recording an album with Eoin and Micháel Ó Súilleabháin alongside musicians such as Ken Edge and Noel Eccles. David continues to be an active part of the Cork music scene.
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David Ryan, drums: Cashel
The top of the ’07 UCC music class, Davey has already received international recognition for his impeccable groove. He has recently been racking up experience playing with Irish alternative rock group Jodavino, having spent the month of May recording with the band in Nashville.
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