Mark Poole - Rhythm Guitar / Keyboards /Vocals
Mark is the founder member of 7StoreySoul and writer of the band's orginal songs. You can find these songs on www.myspace.com/7storeysoul including 'Nothin in Particular', 'Sweet Drifter' and 'Back Down'. He's been playing guitar for 23 years; since the age of 16 and writing songs since he was about 7! He initially put the band together in 2004 but it seriously took off in 2006. He has since led the band at venues including DeMontford Hall, The Musician, Leicester City Rooms, Stoke Rochford Hall and Rockingham Castle.
Mark has recorded and performed with many talented musicians over the years. With the help of the band's original bass player and recording engineer, Neil Segrott, Mark co-produced 7StoreySoul's first album in 2006, featuring three original compositions as well as his own album of quirky pop tunes entitled, 'What I Should Do'. He plans to record another album of original songs with 7StoreySoul and a second solo album as soon as possible - so watch this space. A devoted Stevie Wonder fan, Mark's other soul/funk favourites include George Benson, Average White Band, Curtis Mayfield, 5th Dimension and Bill Withers. He also has a passion for smooth jazz / soul including Al Jarreau, Terry Callier and Anita Baker. In addition to teaching guitar, Mark writes, researches and lectures in Sociology, specialising in popular music culture. He completed his PhD - 'Songs, Stories and Selfhood (a study of the everday struggles of musicians on the Leicester Acoustic Scene)' - in 2007.
Laura has now been with 7storeysoul for 4 years and is the band's lead singer. She has been performing on stage for over ten years, since she was 16, initially as part of a duo but also as a solo singer and in various bands and groups over the years, including a jazz quartet, a Corrs tribute and more recently, fronted irish folk-rock band, 'Three Legged Dog' and has been singing and writing songs since she got her first guitar at 12 years old. Laura has a varied range of vocal influences, which include Joni Mitchell, Eva Cassidy, Deniece Williams and Billie Holliday. She has smooth and sweet jazzy qualities to her voice which clearly demonstrate these influences. As well as vocals and guitar, Laura also plays various other instruments including the fiddle & the tin whistle! You can visit Laura's MySpace at www.myspace.com/laurakatemyspace.
Mike, 7StoreySoul's newest recruit, has been playing bass regularly for 30 years. Passionate about the Funk, Jazz, Disco and Soul genres, he started playing in the orchestra pit for local shows and pantomimes in Leicestershire during the Seventies. Mike recently thought he'd woken up in heaven when he met Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten backstage in 2009 after their Paris gig! Other influences include Stevie Wonder, Sting and Mark King.
Paul 'Robbo' Robinson - Drums
Robbo has been playing drums in a wide variety of musical genres for over 30 years (!!!). He is also drummer for 'Kingsize' - undoubtedly one of the Midland's top Ska bands; with whom he has played for 10 years.
PLUS WE HAVE A POOL OF TALENTED PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS TO CALL UPON FOR EXTRA LEAD GUITAR,
ADDITIONAL VOCALS AND BRASS WHEN REQUIRED...