Rosa Russ And Soul Experience

• Rosa Russ - Vocals
• Steven Coon - Guitar, Vocals
• Richard Guadagnini - Drums
• Ben Davis - Bass Guitar, Vocals
• John Fichera - Keyboards, Vocals

Rosa Russ and Soul Experience bring you a rhythmic tasteful blend of popular "danceable" R&B, Soul, Jazz, Funk and Fusion . The band was formed in the fall of 2008 combining five veteran musicians with decades of performance experience. A unique flexible repertoire contains soulful hits from the 70's through today. Lead by sultry vocalist Rosa Russ, Soul Experience can adapt to any venue providing a variety of music: from smooth subtle jazz and R&B to popular soulful dance hits.

Rosa Russ - Vocals

Rosa has shared the stage and sung background for such artists as Angela Bofill, Me’Shell Ndegeocell, Living Colour Jennifer Holiday, and many others, recording and touring major cities all over the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. She completed her first solo CD entitled “Sincerely yours,” in 2004. Here Rosa shows her dexterity, managing all aspects of the project from writing to arranging, and production. At the same time she delivers a completely moving and warm package of life set to music.

Steven Coon – Guitar

Steven has extensive stage and studio experience in a wide variety of styles- including Rock, Blues, R&B, Funk, and modern Jazz. He has opened for several major acts (REO Speedwagon, Eddie Money, Julian Lennon etc), played at the legendary Apollo Theatre in NYC, and recorded or jammed with several other major artists from such bands as Tears for Fears, Bonnie Raitt, Ambrosia, Spock’s Beard and The Rippingtons. He released an instrumental CD in April of 2000 containing original acoustic guitar compositions.

Ben Davis – Bass

During his musical career Ben has shared the stage with Alison Krauss, Clay Davidson, various members of The Drifters and The Beach Boys. He began studying Jazz-Fusion techniques while in the military, but has never had an opportunity to play in a Jazz group until Elements. He is entirely self-taught and is also pursuing a hobby in bass lutherie.

Rich Guadagnini - Drums

Rich has studied with jazz great Charley Perry, concert percussionist Gil Brienes and DW endorsee Frank Bellucci. Recently relocated to NC, Rich auditioned and won the drum seat in the local dance band "Boomerang" where he met Ben Davis, who founded Elements which evolved into Soul Experience. Major influences included Jeff Porcaro and Dave Garibaldi.

John Fichera – Keyboards

John has played keyboards and bass guitar for various R&B and Top 40 bands the last 20 years. His influences include Vince Guaraldi, Donald Fagen, Herbie Hancock, and Ramsey Lewis. He periodically will introduce his gritty vocal style into the band providing backing and lead vocals.

• Ain't No Stopping Us Now - Mcfadden and Whitehead
• All I Do - Stevie Wonder
• Best of My Love - The Emotions
• Cissy Strut - John Scofield
• Cold Duck Time - Jeff Golub
• Creepin' - The Crusaders
• Cut the Cake - Jeff Golub
• Did You Ever Think - Rosa Russ
• Don't Ever Wonder - Maxwell
• Easy - The Commodores
• Everlasting Love - Chaka Kahn
• Hold On To Me - Incognito
• Honey - Rosa Russ
• I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley
• I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
• I Wish - Stevie Wonder
• If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
• Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
• Josie - Steely Dan
• Lady Marmalade - Patti Labelle
• Lets Stay Together - Al Green
• Paradise - Sade
• People Make the World Go Round - The Stylistics
• Pick up the Pieces - Jeff Golub
• Rock With You - Michael Jackson
• Room 335 - Larry Carlton
• Same Ole Love - Anita Baker
• Shades of Blue - Incognito
• Shining Star - Earth Wind and Fire
• Sincerely Yours - Rosa Russ
• Smooth Operator - Sade
• Still a Friend of Mine - Incognito
• Tell Me Something Good - Chaka Kahn
• The Sweetest Taboo - Sade
• Un-break My Heart - Toni Braxton
• Whatever - Jill Scott
• Spotlight - Jennifer Hudson
• Just Fine - Mary J. Blige
• Lost Without U - Robin Thicke
• Sweet Love - Anita Baker
• Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
• LTD - Back In Love Again
• Marcia Griffiths - The Electric Slide
• At Last - Etta James
• How Come I Can't Stop Loving You - Rosa Russ

Anniversaries, Apres Ski Parties, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings

• The band's contact was always available to answer questions. The band did a marvelous job with their performance. The music was a nice mix of jazz and r&b soul. The crowd was pleased and many people requested their business cards. They were truly superb and I would highly recommend them. -- Jeannine B, Durham, NC, 5/16/2009
• Rosa Russ and Soul Experience were absolutely awesome! Everyone loved the live music and my grandparents were pleasantly surprised! I requested that Rosa sing "At Last" for my grandparent's first dance and she and the band did amazing! My grandparents felt like Michelle and Barack Obama during their first dance at the Neighborhood Ball!! :) Overall I would definitely recommend Rosa Russ and Soul Experience to a friend. They definitely made the night a memorable one for my grandparent's vow renewal and 41st anniversary celebration, and everyone can't stop talking about them! They were the hit of the party!!! -- Mykia J, Durham, NC, 5/30/2009

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