Soul Purpose – New Orleans Funk, Soul & Swing
Soul Purpose delivers a high-energy blend of New Orleans funk, classic soul, and swing that fills dance floors and lifts every room. With deep grooves, tight musicianship, and an infectious stage presence, the band brings a feel-good, dance-driven experience to every performance. A Hudson Valley favorite, Soul Purpose is perfect for festivals, weddings, private events, and corporate functions.
Offerings: full 7-piece band, smaller ensembles, and fully customizable sets.
Be the first to review Soul Purpose
Write a reviewPrice range: $700 and up
Languages: Spanish
Gig length: 60 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $2,000,000 - General Liability
When you book Soul Purpose, you’re getting more than a band—you’re getting a full, feel-good experience your guests will remember.
This 7-piece Hudson Valley favorite—named one of the region’s top bands by Chronogram Magazine in 2025—knows how to read a room, build energy, and keep a dance floor moving. From intimate gatherings to large-scale events, the band brings the same level of professionalism, preparation, and joy to every performance.
Event coordinators can expect:
Clear, responsive communication throughout the booking process
A smooth, professional setup and sound coordination
Thoughtfully crafted sets that match the vibe of your event
A band that engages your audience without overpowering the moment
Soul Purpose shows up ready, adaptable, and committed to making your event a success.
Soul Purpose is a dynamic 7-piece band from New York’s Hudson Valley, known for their distinctive blend of New Orleans funk, classic soul, and swinging rhythm & blues. Featuring a powerhouse horn section, deep-pocket rhythm, and soaring vocals, the band delivers a high-energy live experience that gets audiences on their feet—and keeps them there.
Named one of the Hudson Valley’s top bands by Chronogram Magazine in 2025, Soul Purpose has built a loyal and growing regional following over the years. A long-standing favorite on the local music scene, the band consistently draws enthusiastic crowds and is known for creating an infectious, feel-good atmosphere wherever they play.
Soul Purpose performs across a wide range of settings—from intimate venues and upscale events to lively bars, nightclubs, outdoor concerts, and regional festivals. Their versatility, professionalism, and crowd-connecting energy make them a go-to act for audiences and presenters alike.
Lead singer Sara Espinosa fronts the band with commanding presence and vocal warmth, joined by Dr. Lori Morris (alto & tenor saxophone, percussion, background vocals); Rich De Crosta (trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, background vocals); Cue Gerhards (guitar, vocals); Francis Ralston (bass, background vocals); Jerry Teters (drums, background vocals); and Michael Snow (keyboards).
More than a band, Soul Purpose is a collective of seasoned musicians united by a shared love of music that moves both body and spirit.
We keep things simple. A dry, flat performance space with easy access for load-in and a reliable power source is all we need to get started.
We’re happy to provide sound and lighting, and we’ll work with you ahead of time to make sure everything is dialed in for your space. A full input list and stage plot are available upon request.
A Sampling of Our Songs
(phone number hidden) - Wilson Pickett
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens - Louis Jordan
Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations
All of Me - Jazz standard
America in the Wrong Lane - Soul Purpose original
Another Star - Stevie Wonder
As - Stevie Wonder
At Last - Etta James
Baby I love You - Aretha Franklin
Back in Love - LTD Unlimited
Besame Mucho - Jazz standard
Better Things - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Black Orpheus - Jazz standard
Bluesette - Jazz standard
Born Under a Bad Sign - Albert King
Boggie Woogle Bugle Boy - Andrews Sisters
Bye-Bye Blackbird - Jazz standard
Caledonia - Louis Jordan
Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin
Choo Choo Da Boogie - Louis Jordan
Cissy Strut - The Meters
Clean Up Woman - Betty Wright
Cold Duck Time - Jazz standard
Cold Sweat - James Brown
Coming Home Baby - Jazz standard
Cut the Cake - Average White Band
Dancin’ in the Streets - Martha and the Vandelles
Diggin' on James Brown - Tower of Power
Do I Do - Stevie Wonder
Don’t Mess Up a Good Thing - Fontella Bass
Fire on the Bayou - Neville Brothers
Funky Nassau - The Meters
Giglio - Louis Prima
Girl from Ipanema - Jazz standard
Go Daddy O - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Gonna Mess Up A Good Things - Greg Allman
Happy People - Kenny Garrett
Heat Wave - Martha and the Vandelles
Hey Pockey Way - Neville Brothers
Hold On - Sam and Dave
How Long Do I Have to Wait - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Hurricane Season - Trombone Shorty
I Believe it to My Soul - Ray Charles
I’d Rather Go Blind - Etta James
I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight
I Put a Spell - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
I Used to Love Her - Bobby Womack / Rolling Stones
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
Iko Iko - Doctor John
I'm Giving Up You - Shemikia Copeland
I'm Not Gonna Cry - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
In the Mood - Jazz standard
Is You Is - Louis Jordan
Jive at 5 - Jazz standard
Jump, Jive & Wail - Brain Setzer Orchestra
Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd
Late in the Evening - Paul Simon
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Love & Happiness - Al Green
Love Me Like a Man - Bonnie Raitt
Lullaby of Birdland - Jazz standard
Mambo Swing - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Master Blaster - Stevie Wonder
Me & Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
Mercy Mercy - Jazz standard
Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway
Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
Mr. Pinstripe Suit - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
Mr. Zoot Suit - Flying Neutrinos
My Girl - Temptations
Night and Day - Jazz standard
Night Train - James Brown
Oye Como Va - Tito Puente
Pick up the Pieces - Average White Band
Put a Woman in Charge - Keb Mo
Rescue Me - Fontella Bass
Right Place Wrong Time - Doctor John
Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin
Satin Doll - Jazz standard
Shaky Ground - Temptations
Shing Star - Earth, Wind and Fire
Shing Star - The Manhattans
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Simmer Down - Bob Marley
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
Sliippin’ Into Darkness - War
Song for My Father - Jazz standard
Soul Man - Sam and Dave
Souled Out - Tower of Power
Soul With a Capital S - Tower of Power
Spanish Moon - Little Feat
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Sway - Jazz standard
Swing Thang - Soul Purpose Original
Tell Mama - Etta James
The Chicken - Jaco Pastorius
The Letter - Joe Cocker
Think - Taj Mahal
This Land is Your Land - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
Unchain My Heart - Ray Charles
Unclean Waters - Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Until You Come Back to Me - Aretha Franklin
Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars / Mark Ronson
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
When You Get Back - John Cleary
What's Goin On? - Marvin Gaye
You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
You Send Me - Sam Cooke
Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Soul Purpose’s sound is rooted in the greats—channeling the soul and groove of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, the jump blues swagger of Louis Jordan, and the raw emotion of Etta James.
Their signature horn section draws from a lineage that includes Duke Ellington and Maceo Parker, alongside jazz greats like Cannonball Adderley and Freddie Hubbard. That foundation is infused with the deep grooves of New Orleans—think Dr. John, The Meters, and Galactic—and the playful swagger of the swing revival, including Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
It’s a sound that bridges eras—timeless, danceable, and deeply rooted in groove.
Ample electrical
Minimum stage space of 20' X 15 '
Soul Band
