St. Paul

Front man Paul Janeway’s handle “St. Paul” is a wry allusion to the vocalist’s grounding in the church. Like many a legendary soul singer, Janeway, a native of the small town of Chelsea, Alabama, was raised on the gospel side, in a non-denominational, Pentecostal-leaning local church. Virtually no non-religious music could be heard in his devout household. Janeway says, “The only secular music that I heard at all was a ‘70s group called the Stylistics, and Sam Cooke. (Press release from artist' website)

“Janeway regularly gives the kind of performance that compels you to pay attention. There’s no denying that the man who once trained as a preacher in Alabama was meant to be fronting a soul band… Janeway’s stage antics can sometimes obscure the band’s talented horn players and rhythm section, so let’s give them some shine. Trumpeter Allen Branstetter, saxophonist Jerome Amori Ansari and trombonist Chad Fisher (can pivot) from convincing Memphis licks to chorale-like sections, while guitarist Browan Lollar, drummer Andrew Lee and bassist Jesse Phillips (can hold a rock-solid, laid-back groove throughout a set).