Meet the Soul Purpose Band...
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Candace Devaney, Lead Vocals - is one of the most talented song stylists in the metropolitan Atlanta area. She possesses a richly textured four octave vocal range which captures and exemplifies the essence of a musical idea, thus personifying it, breathing life and character into any song she performs. Candace has been performing since the age of fourteen, and her definitive vocal skills have been showcased through her performance of gospel, rhythm and blues, pop, jazz, and rock music. Originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, Candace specializes in lead and background vocals, songwriting and production. Candace has performed primarily on the hotel and nightclub circuit; at private parties; civic functions; weddings and receptions. Candace has had the privilege of singing the National Anthem for the Atlanta Braves and performs regularly during church services and activities. When performing, Candace exudes such charm and charisma that she entrances the audience; taking them to the very place which she is singing about. Candace is a seasoned, believable, and enthusiastic performer who invites her audience to take part in the music. Candace began performing with The Soul Purpose Band in July of 2006. | ||
| Mark Whitten, Lead Vocals - "Hard Hitting" Mark Whitten, a most powerful vocalist. Born in McRae, Ga. Mark's early musical influence was gospel. He moved to Arlington, Virgina, where he worked as a firefighter/paramedic with a Metro area Fire and Rescue Dept. While with the fire dept., Mark sang lead vocals in a cover band made up primarily of fellow firefighters. He also traveled the East coast singing at special fire service engagements, which included sharing the stage in 1989 with then President George Bush, at the annual Congressional Fire Caucus Banquet. There he gave a moving rendition of "America, The Beautiful". After relocating to the Atlanta area, Mark continued to sing in church. He soon joined, toured and recorded with a 'BLUES' band called "The Truetones". He is still a paramedic and still hitt'n hard when he sings the 'Classic Soul'with "The Soul Purpose Band". |  |
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Melvin Jordan, Lead Guitar/Vocals
- a native of Detroit, MI, Melvin has over 30 years of performing
experience. Melvin specializes in rhythm, lead guitar, vocals, songwriting
and production. Melvin’s 30-year resume includes seven and a
half years touring with the “Original Temptations” and
three years on the theatre circuit with notable gospel artists including
Vickie Winans and Clifton Davis. In addition, he has performed with
Martha Reeves, Freda Payne, the “Marvelettes” and the
“Four Tops”.
Melvin holds a BA in Music Education from Berklee College of Music,
Boston, MA. After two years of being the Orchestra instructor at
Shiloh Middle School in Snellville, GA., Melvin is currently performing
with various bands around the Atlanta area doing various venues
such as weddings, private parties, nightclubs, and coffee houses. |
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| Pete Alvarez, Bass/Vocals
- “Miami Pete” Alvarez began his musical career at the
age of 10 in sunny Florida. His early musical influences were classical
music, to which he was exposed at a very early age. Pete was enamored
by the guitar sounds of Montoya and Segovia and began studying classical
guitar with the great Spanish guitarist Espigul. In the early 60’s
however, the sounds of Rock and Roll could not be ignored and when
the British invasion hit a new musical style took hold. He began his
rock music career as a rhythm guitarist but soon switched to bass
guitar where he could “feel” the music. In the 70’s
Pete was introduced to the Atlanta music scene. He frequented such
venues as Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom, Sans Souci, Richards
and The Harvest Moon Saloon. He soon began performing locally with
The Collections, Peabo and Po’ Boys and other local musicians.
In the ‘80’s Pete put together two successful groups in Atlanta; NOSTALGIA, a Rock and Roll Revival group that performed across the southeast and NIGHTSHIFT a variety act that featured music from country to soul. Pete is a consummate artist whose style of playing can be described as a mixture of Beatles to Motown, heavily influenced by the Afro-Cuban rhythms of his native land. Pete joined Soul Purpose in July of 1994 to fulfill a desire to play with a “kick ass” horn section and a group of great musicians. He plans to continue his musical career until they “pry my fingers from the fret board”. |
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Dave Penn, Keyboards/Business Manager - Dave is the founder of SOUL PURPOSE. A native of Thomaston, Georgia and a graduate of Georgia Tech, Dave began to play with various rock and R&B bands at the age of 14. The most successful of those early groups was an 8-piece/R&B/horn band known as Alfonzo and The Bootleggers. During the mid-to-late ‘60’s, The Bootleggers played many high schools, colleges, and night clubs in Georgia and the Southeast. They also performed in the Atlanta area for WQXI radio at such infamous teen “hot spots” as Misty Waters and Lake Spivey. During this time they were the back-up band or opening act for artists such as The Kingsmen, The Swingin’ Medallions, Rufus Thomas and Percy Sledge. After a hiatus from the music business, a reunion of The Bootleggers in 1987 rekindled Dave’s interest in live performance. In 1993, he began to put together today’s SOUL PURPOSE to revive the soul and beach music classics of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. | ||
| Gary Smith, Keyboards - is an Atlanta native and attended Henderson High School in Dekalb County and the University of Georgia in Athens. Gary began playing piano at the age of 6. When he entered high school, he began to develop an interest in big band,jazz and popular piano standards, and studied under one of Atlanta's top instructors. He began using these fundamentals to develop his rhythmic style with several Atlanta area rock and R&B bands and was a regular at Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom, where he jammed with Southern Rock headliners such as Wet Willie, Bonnie Rait and Elvin Bishop. After college, Gary reverted back to his love of the standards and played with local jazz artists. A twenty year career in the information and software industries that required extensive travel limited his playing time to impromptu performances at piano bars and resorts across the U.S., the United Kingdom and northern Europe. In 1997, the “bug” bit again and Gary put together a group to bring back the big, classic, sounds of rock and R&B. This rejuvenation of the musical spirit and desire to play with others that crave the “real” sound led to Gary's association with SOUL PURPOSE in July 2000. |  |
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Tom Schwarzer, Drums -
has been a professional drummer for almost 30 years mostly in the
Atlanta area and the southeast Georgia area . . . Savannah, Statesboro
and other great little Georgia towns. Tom attended Georgia Southern
College. Tom has performed with Jim Dawg and The Wolfpuppies and for
a short stint with Poker Alice Band. Tom joined The Soul Purpose Band
in June 2006. |
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| Kenyon Carter, Tenor Sax - is an accomplished composer/arranger and an engaging performer specializing in jazz, big band, pop, and R&B. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Kenyon performs throughout much of the southeast with various bands playing events ranging from small receptions to large venue concerts. In addition to being a regular member of The Soul Purpose Band, The David Brothers Band, and The Georgia Big Band, he has played with artists such as Ernie Watts, Allen Vizzutti, Carl Saunders, Conrad Herwig, Sam Skelton, Wayne Newton and many others. Kenyon was also honored at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival as an Outstanding Soloist. Kenyon holds bachelors and masters degrees in jazz saxophone performance from Valdosta State University and Georgia State University. Kenyon enjoys sharing his passion for music with middle school and high school students. He has extensive experience as a band leader and composer; his groups consistently perform at a level that both entertain and engage the audience and Kenyon also conducts jazz clinics and private lessons. Kenyon serves as the vice president of the Georgia Association of Jazz Educators. Kenyon became a member of The Soul Purpose Band in June of 2006. |  |
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Marion English, Trumpet/Flugelhorn - enjoys a versatile career as a freelance trumpet player and music educator. Having received both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education from the University of Georgia, where he was trumpet soloist and band captain of the famed UGA Redcoat Marching Band, Marion has since taught twenty years in the Georgia public schools and is in his sixth year as Associate Director of Bands at North Gwinnett High School. He currently performs with The Soul Purpose Band, the Still Swinging Big Band, The Lanier Brass Quintet and has extensive experience in solo performance for wedding ceremonies. Marion joined Soul Purpose in 2003 and is the primary music arranger for the horn section. | ||
| Fritz Siler, Trombone -
is a retired band director and retired 1st Sergeant of the 151st Alabama
Army National Guard Band. He was a member of the Auburn Knights Jazz
Orchestra while attending Auburn University and currently performs
with the Atlanta Seventeen, a not-for-profit charitable big band,
in addition to Soul Purpose. Fritz has also performed with the Shrine
Circus in Columbus (GA), Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestra, and the Columbus
(GA) Symphony. He is actively involved in the Georgia Association
of Jazz Educators as past president and is a “pit” musician
for the Springer Opera House. Having performed with such notables
as Barry White & the Love Orchestra, Warren Covington & the
Pied Pipers, Guy Lombardo & the Royal Canadians, and The Bob Hope
Show, Fritz is also a charter member of Soul Purpose, joining the
band at its inception in 1974. He is married and proud of his three
grown children. |
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Dennis Baldauf, Bari/Alto Sax
- Born just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Dennis kept his love for the
saxophone through high school, the Vietnam War, and a move to Georgia
in 1978. He has played with several combos in the Atlanta area, including the popular blues band Frankie Lee and the Solid Senders. Very versatile, he also played saxophone with the Southernaires, the Voice of the Southland Ragtime Band, and has been a member of the Soul Purpose Band since 1995. He also does contemporary and traditional Christian Music at his Church, and plays alto and tenor sax along with harmonica in a local country and rock band. Dennis lives in Newnan, GA. |
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| Rick Sargent, Sound Technician - |  |
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