Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra
The explosive Latin ensemble Soul Sauce blasts back into Pearl's for their much-anticipated return engagement. Soul Sauce draws on the rich body of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian-influenced jazz, incorporating into the mix both original works and unique, powerful arrangements of contemporary compositions and jazz standards as well.
“This is the way Latin Jazz was meant to be played.” - All About Jazz
Soul Sauce, led by vibes ace Jon Eriksen and drummer Curt Moore, with pianist Rich Kuhns, bassist Rich Girard and percussionist Michaelle Goerlitz, have been shaking up night clubs and festival stages for more than eight years, now.
Soul Sauce was founded as a band dedicated primarily to the works of Cal Tjader, a worthy enough project, to be sure. Since then, their sound has grown and their repertoire evolved to include an adventurous and satisfying range of sounds and styles.
All About Jazz writer Jim Nelson, in his review of Soul Sauce's 2004 visit to Pearl's, wrote, “Eriksen and Moore are about as singular a unit as you'll find; Eriksen's frenetic vibe work never strayed too far off and Moore's colorful percussion additions never detracted from the front man's melodies. It's amazing Goerlitz could find any space between these two for a conga solo, but she did, more than a few times, and the crowd loved them all. . . .
“Last night I witnessed the next step in [Soul Sauce's] evolution: gutsy reinterpretations of old standbys and sure-footed stabs at less heard-of pieces. Hopefully, Soul Sauce continues to explore.”
