The Beginnings

The Intro: The "Who & What"

Singer/songwriter, producer and composer, Brian Nolan, founded Taste of Soul in mid-2008 in Medford, Oregon with a 10-piece band. The first band comprised three vocalists; small horn section and a local band that was converted from its soft rock cover roots. After a year of thrilling audiences across the state with their tremendous energy and proven ability to entertain listeners of all ages with memorable cover tunes the band started out on a journey to create its own identity and original tracks.

The gentle weaving of old school R&B, soul and Motown musical blends captured the true essence of the bands existence, while preparing them for over a year long musical journey to bring out their own style of music. This mixture of musical genres prompted the band to coin their particular style as “Rhythmic Soul”!

This new group of self-determined focused musicians shares their talents as well as their stories of love, heartbreak and triumph through its lyrical sincerity and instrumental power. Now we are a completely self-contained musical group that produces, engineers, promote, manage, write, compose and perform all of our own tracks and promotional material. We are currently in the process of starting to record new material for our upcoming sophomore CD; sure to be filled with more truthful R&B!

ToS is destined to become a favorite of musical enthusiasts because of their ability to be dedicated to a genre that promotes what they stand for and represent.

Band members:

Stacey Wade - MD/Vocalist/Keyboardist

Having played keys for Al Green since the age of 18 and maintaining the position of Musical Director of Sweet Honey in the Rock for almost 2 yrs, Mr. Stacey Wade is an accomplished musician to say the least. The training and experience he has accumulated over the years at Berkelee college of music and beyond have only helped to hone his creative ear. Mr. Wade's sound is unmatched in modern Jazz. He thrives on an interactive experience with his audience to the extent of even occasionally joining forces with live visual performance artists onstage.

Whit Morliss - Keyboardist/Vocalist

Whit Morliss is an Iowa born artist. His self-produced music spans genres and tone. Expect piano ballads along side heavy guitars and jazz-tinged pop music. In his own words: “I’m not interested in genre adherence or aping something, just developing my ideas. Songs seem to want to be whatever they want to be. Sometimes I try out different styles for a tune before settling on what feels right. That said, sometimes it’s fun to do different versions.” Whit enjoys foreign languages, hiking and rock climbing.

Rene Benton - Guitarist/Vocalist

There aren’t many guitarists who possess the versatility as Rene Benton. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, his musical influences ranges from progressive rockers Kansas to the sophisticated funk of the Cameo. After a stint in the Marine Corps, Rene decided to dedicate his energy towards music.

Touring extensively throughout the United States and abroad(42 states and over 70 countries to date), he has produced an astounding resume which includes parts of Rock and Roll legend Chubby Checker band and Pop Star artist Sweden’s Gigi Hamilton with Warner EMI. Also have had performances and collaborations with Tuhran Terrell (keyboardist/Anita Baker), Jerome “Stixx” Davis (drummer/LaFace/Arista recording artist Tony Rich); and, Louie Louie (WTG recording artist , chart topping hit “Lap of Luxury”).

Rene was also involved with the modern musical Dreamscape; created and performed by Steve Reed, percussionist for fusion jazz legends – The Rippingtons as well recording with Grammy award winning writer Sleepy Brown writer of the hit by Outkast (I like the way U move) and multiple performance with Grammy award winning bassist for Latin pop star Mark Anthony (Mel Brown) and touring with Christian Rapcore band Junkyard Prophet and a faction of The Fortunes(UK 70;s group that had the hit (“Here comes that rainy day feelin’ Again”).

Kenny Barral - Bassist/Vocalist

Noe Navarro - Guitarist/Vocalist

Noe Navarro, is a prestigious Costa Rican electric guitarist and singer-songwriter who fuses Latin American indie rock with Afro rhythms and jazz-influenced harmonies. Her expressive electric guitar and sweet voice generate a captivating atmosphere that attracts the attention of his audience.

Her songs tell personal stories, loaded with metaphors and fantasies, that invite us to look inward and question the hegemonic structures of today's society, through tenderness, introspection and inner dialogue.

Based in Seattle, it seeks to connect with independent artists and generate self-management networks to strengthen and make visible women and Latin Americans in the local music scene.

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