We are a West Midlands based (Birmingham/Black Country) 9-piece band recreating the great soul hits of the 1960s. We play numbers made famous by the soul giants Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Irma Thomas, Tina Turner, The Temptations, The Supremes as well as songs by the Blues Brothers, Georgie Fame, Tom Jones, Amy Winehouse and instrumental hits from Booker T & the MGs, The Mar-Keys and The Bar-Kays.
THE SOUL PROVIDERS
TRACY LOVEJOY
Vocals
Tracy was the original TSP female vocalist. After a spell away from the band we are delighted she is back with us. She has an incredible vocal range that suits the Stax, Motown and Etta James numbers, as well as ’Tainted Love’ and ‘Back To Black’.
DAVE THOMAS
Vocals
Dave joined the band a few years ago and is a great addition to Tracy. You can hear his silky smooth voice on ‘Spooky’ but he can also get down and dirty on the soul greats especially ‘I Feel Good’.
JO JAMES
Keyboards
Jo is also a founder member of the band. Frequently sitting at the back of the stage, she skilfully goes about her business while the posturing and preening plays out in front of her. She is the backbone of the band.
NEIL BEVAN
Lead Guitarist
Neil plays a mean lick and just listen to him on ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and ’Night Time is the Right Time’. He really turns up the heat for ‘Gimme Some Lovin’.
BOB (FRED) WALKER
Bass Guitar
He may look quiet and unassuming but that’s due to his inner confidence. He has the most crucial role in the band, ensuring that we all keep a steady rhythm.
KEN BALL
Drums
A band wouldn't be complete without its Drummer, and TSP couldn’t have asked for a better one than the talented Ken Ball. He lays down the beat and really keeps the tempo. Where would we be without him counting us in.
JOHN SHEARD
Trumpet
John has just joined the band. He’s a mean trumpeter and really hits those high notes. Being a lot younger than the rest of us has reduced the average age of the band!
MARTIN LEESON
Tenor Sax
Founder member Martin is a sax player extraordinaire. A great reader plus plays truly inventive solos that bring ‘Mustang Sally’, ’Spooky’, ‘King Of The Road’ ‘Simply The Best’ and ‘Yeh, Yeh’ to a new level.
PHIL MURRAY
Baritone Sax
Phil also joined a number of years ago and he loves his soul. Nothing gives him more pleasure than playing those important low notes on ‘Get Ready’, ‘Rehab’, ‘You Know I’m No Good’ and ‘Walking The Dog’.
MUSIC
The audio samples and videos are best heard through good headphones
VIDEO CLIPS
Take a look
SEE SAW
TSP 06122019 634-5789
TSP 01092018 Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
TSP 01092018 I Got You (I Feel Good)
TSP 01092018 Mr Pitiful
FUTURE GIGS
TBA
Details of some previous gigs
APRIL 01, 2023
THIMBLEMILL LIBRARY
Our first gig for just over three years and we could not have wished for better return. There was a full house with the audience up and dancing to many of our numbers. A big "Thank You" to our Thimblemill faithful.
Download our Set List here.
MARCH 07, 2020
THIMBLEMILL LIBRARY
The Library was packed out with many people dancing to our numbers. A great audience and we really played well.
Download our Set List here.
DECEMBER 6, 2019
EDGBASTON PARK HOTEL
A private function and the band played really well and we got the diners up on their feet and dancing.
Download our Set List here.
THE SOUL PROVIDERS:
THE STORY
The band was originally known as The Soul What Band and concentrated on recreating the great 60s soul hits, mainly playing numbers from the Stax and Atlantic labels. When Les, the trombone player, left he was replaced by Phil on baritone sax and it was time for a change of name and the band was reincarnated as The Soul Providers. A male vocalist was a top priority and Dave fitted the bill. The repertoire started to expand into the Motown label. When Tracy left she was replaced by Mitz and some Amy Winehouse numbers were added to the set. When Mitz left and Sass joined, the band took on a more funky edge. Band leader, founder member and bass player Tom left and was replaced by Bob, then Sass moved on to a solo career and Tracy returned to reunite the "dream team” of her and Dave on vocals. After many years of great service to the band, trumpeter Geoff decided to call it a day and was initially replaced by Alex who has now given way to John. Founder member Jack on guitar has now moved out of the West Midlands and we welcome Neil in his place.
The band is led by Jo and provides entertaining sets with classic soul numbers interspersed with other well known hits by made famous by Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Tina Turner and even Roger Miller!
The Soul Providers have performed at a variety of venues in the West Midlands including many charity gigs and have an enthusiastic following supporting them. Comments from previous gigs include:
"best band we have had here", "best function we have had in 20 years."
Want to learn more about The Soul Providers, their music, and how to book them? Feel free to get in touch with any of your comments and questions.
Prefer the sound of a Big Band? Then check out the great 18-piece Out Of The Blue Big Band.
Live in London and need a band and think it will be too far for us to travel from the West Midlands then why not book the great London band 'Sound of the Suburb'