Jon
saxophone, vocals
Jon has a heterogeneous taste in music, having being involved in choral music, a rock choir and playing in a jazz and swing band. However, he is most at home in a soul band with his sax contributing to the unforgettable sound of a horn section. So from Mozart through Miller to Memphis Horns – he’s got it covered. You'll recognise him - he's the one wearing the hats.
Rebekah
trumpet & keyboard
Rebekah is a trumpet and keyboard-playing, German-speaking, Otis Redding-loving West Cumbrian, She's played in brass bands and orchestras, swing and soul bands, and sings in a rock choir. She likes nothing better than belting our soul riffs, but also loves painting, and her illustrations feature in Soul Junction's media. She wishes she had 4 hands.
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Lisa
lead vocalist
Lisa’s a Cumbrian lass through and through, who loves all genres of music and has a rich vocal tone. She‘s sung in classic rock and soul bands and she’s excited to be part of Soul Junction.
Simon
trumpet
Simon is a talented performer – you may have seen him locally in North Lakes Brass, Cockermouth Mechanics Brass Band or Cockermouth Community Orchestra. Simon’s former experience playing in a funk band will brings a stylish groove to Soul Junction. When Simon’s not making music , or working, he enjoys travelling to Spain with his family – and his Spanish is pretty impressive too!
Alan
drums
Alan started drumming at the age of 12 and played his first gig at 14, too young for the venues he played in!
Alan has a rock background, recording 5 albums with different bands on the Beggars Banquet and Island record labels, picking up single of the week in NME, essential album of the month in Sounds, and a 4-star review in Melody Maker. He toured the UK, Europe and North America, and was based in Los Angeles for some time, before getting a ‘grown-up’ job in the UK.
Alan was pleased to be asked to be the touring drummer with Barry Melton from Country Joe and the Fish on his UK tour, and of course he was delighted to join Soul Junction!
Here he is, racing his beloved Malamutes.
Rod
bass
We’re excited to welcome acclaimed bassman Rod Mackay to Soul Junction. With a classical music background, Rod has been immersed in music since childhood, captivated by the arrangements on the Glenn Miller records constantly played at home. As a teenager he was inspired by the genius grooves of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, and he subsequently developed his focus on bass in blues and its sister genre, soul, seeking to integrate the spirit of funk and Motown in his playing. Rod has since featured on UK Blues award-nominated albums.
Rod’s bass lines anchor the band and provide the emotional heartbeat for our music.
Tony
guitar
Welcome back to our very own soul man Tony Atkinson, who played lead guitar with the band in the early years of Soul Junction. Tony’s favourite soul music was recorded by Rick Hall and The Swampers in FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals. Other influences include The Beatles, Rolling Stones, the three Kings, Allman Brothers, Derek and the Dominoes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty and ZZ Top.