HISTORY: The Soul Enterprise was formed in 1990, starting out as Bob Manning's back-up band, and later evolving into a fraternity of musicians performing under their own label or backing, touring and recording with other respected Soul artists.
The original band comprised several American musicians based in Stockholm, Sweden: Bill Bryant (drums), Jair-Rohm Parker-Wells (bass), Chuck Anthony (guitar), Simon Murley (saxophone, Brit), Frank Rönningen (keyboards, Swede). A chaotic period followed when members were pulled into various other commitments and subs were frequently used (sometimes the entire band would consist of subs!). Taking on gigs became a tedious process of fragmented rehearsals and make-it-or-break-it sound checks.
Zak Keith , himself a sub, joined in 1991, and eventually took over coordination, logisitics and bookings to ease the load. Together with Bob, he oversaw the transition of the band to its new 11-piece format. As replacements came and went, some hired temps/subs who contributed so strongly to the true old-school Soul R&B sound just couldn't be ignored — the strongest and most-available players became a part of the new big-band sound. Settling into a period of stability lasting several years in the 90s, first-call members comprised: Micke Wennergrund (drm), Martin Danielsson (bas), Lasse Pollack (keyb), Zak Keith (guit), Magnus Lindgren (sax), Jonas Wall (sax), Micke Sörensen (trp); Mia Gejrot, Tonya Hedtjärn , Anna Häll (back voc).
By 1998, Bob Manning & The Soul Enterprise was voted Scandianvia's best Soul band by Fasching Soul Club, had appeared in various newspapers with favorable reviews, and was the opening act for various Soul-music legends such as Wilson Pickett, Al Green, Issac Hayes, etc. In 1999, lead vocalist Bob Manning retired to the US, creating a temporary lull in performances.
TODAY: The Soul Enterprise continues to perform as a flexible unit — appearing as anything from a quartet to an 11-piece band (standard 4-pc. rhythm + percussionist, 3 horns, 2 backup vocalists), featuring various front figures such as Rev. Calvin Bridges (a.k.a. James Mendel of Curtis Mayfield fame), Derek January (Voice of Soul), etc.
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