SOUL UNDERSTATED feat. Mavis 'SWAN' Poole

Artist Information

Biography

n. 1. the result of combining the matchless and
unique genius of melodic drummer,
Jeremy ‘BEAN’ Clemons, with the sultry,
sassy and incomparable sounds of
Songbird, Mavis ‘SWAN’ Poole.

adj. 2. Soulful, jazzy, “r & b”ish, gospelly,
funkish-kinda music, filled with soul-
stirring harmonies, rhythms, and grooves.
(see also “feel good” music)

v. 3. Vibing, groovin’, swangin’, preachin’
unyielding…


This sultry vocalist (Mavis ‘SWAN’ Poole), melodic drummer (Jeremy‘BEAN Clemons), and the mothership of musicians known as Soul Understated, is one of the rarest discoveries in music since Motown. The influences on their music are overwhelming and pleasurable all at once. With elements from EWF to Ella Fitzgerald, Donny Hathaway to Curtis Mayfield, and Sarah Vaughn to Count Basie, and even Hip hop infused into one musical body, you're sure to find something that pleases your appetite.
…”Soul Understated is a skillful ensemble, adeptly and seemingly effortlessly weaving together soul, jazz, funk and gospel, like so many threads in a tapestry, and Ms. Poole does not miss a beat, adding scat and rap to the mix like the final spices in an excellent gumbo.”… Divastation.com

After many years of performing with various other artists, in 2008, St. Louis native Jeremy ‘BEAN’ Clemons and North Carolinas finest, Mavis ‘SWAN’ Poole, created Soul Understated. Since 2008, they have appeared at venues across the US, toured Russia, and collaborated with artist such as Nicholas Payton, Marc Cary, Dj mikeflo, and Brian Jackson.

Soul Understated is set to release their debut Single “So You Say” in June of 2012.

“The passion and drive of our music comes from a sincere longing to encourage and inspire people from all lifestyles, while maintaining the danceable element and groove. “

Soul Understated- CREATIONS LIKE THIS ONLY COME ONCE IN A LIFETIME.

Instrumentation

Mavis 'SWAN' Poole - Lead Vox - Bandleader
Jeremy 'BEAN' Clemons - Drums - Bandleader
Josh David - Bass
Ben Tyree - Guitar
Marc Cary - Piano/Rhodes/Organ
Brian Jackson - Piano/Rhodes
Ocassional Guest: - Nicholas Payton, Russell Gunn, Casey Bentamin, DJ/MC micflo

Discography

Mavis SWAN Poole 'SOUL TREE' (release date July 27, 2009)
Soul Understated EP (2008)
Mavis SWAN Poole 'SOUL-TREE' EP (2008)

Links

• MySpace
• Last.fm
• Facebook
• Reverbnation

Audio

• Gonna Make It (original)
  Listen  
• So Uncomfortable (Original)
  Listen  
• Feel Like Making Love (Live)
  Listen  
• People Get Ready (Live)
  Listen  
• Dance Flo (Original)
  Listen  
• Elite State of Mind (original)
  Listen  
• New Rock (Original)
  Listen  

Video

Mavis 'SWAN' Poole & Soul Understated

SU Apollo

Photo Gallery

Press

• Soul Understated f/ Mavis "SWAN" Poole @ BAM Café [+ Show ]
  

  The announcement said to get there by 8:45pm, to get a good seat, but people were standing in the ai...The announcement said to get there by 8:45pm, to get a good seat, but people were standing in the aisles by 8:30pm to catch a glimpse and hear the fierce soul stylings of Soul Understated featuring Mavis "SWAN" Poole. Backed by a eight-person S.W.A.T. team of funk, it would be easy for another singer to get lost amidst the back-up singers, guitars, percussion and brass, but not Ms. Poole, dressed in an orange, off-the-shoulder tee, red belt and a barely-there miniskirt, lookin' as fine as she wanted.
  
  After stirring the pot w/ "Still Water," Soul Understated showed their playful side by takin' us back with their rendition of the Fat Albert theme song and it is not understating it to say its inclusion on the soundtrack may have inspired us to sit through the 2004 film adaptation. Normally, "Feel Good Music" and "Dance Flo'" would have had the crowd up on its feet, but the audience at BAM is generally more subdued and, this evening in particular, the room was so hot that people were breaking a sweat just bobbing their heads and tapping their toes.
  
  Aside from the aforementioned schoolhouse rock, Ms. P. & the gang paid homage to Curtis Mayfield--with an original take on "People Get Ready," arranged by co-director Jeremy "BEAN" Clemons--and Michael Jackson--on a "Rock With You"-infused version of "One." All other tracks, including "Sistagirl," "Truce," "Hot & Bothered," "New Rock" & "Gonna Make It," came straight from the minds and souls of musical co-directors, Clemons and Poole.
  
  Maybe it was the heat, or the vibe in the room or the way Ms. Poole turned what could have been a wail into the most soulful of music, but we couldn't help but to be reminded of Ledisi's early performances, in the basement of San Francisco's Cafe Du Nord. For their part, Soul Understated is a skillful ensemble, adeptly and seemingly effortlessly weaving together soul, jazz, funk and gospel, like so many threads in a tapestry, and Ms. Poole does not miss a beat, adding scat and rap to the mix like the final spices in an excellent gumbo.
  
  If you can't find your way to one of Soul Understated featuring Mavis "SWAN" Poole's performances, you at least owe it to yourself to download her debut album and get in on the ground floor of something great. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul-tree-sultry/id332467645

• Andy Bey on Mavis 'SWAN' Poole [+ Show ]
  

  "Mavis, you knocked me out with your soul, sound, voice, and direct honesty, plus great musicianship..."Mavis, you knocked me out with your soul, sound, voice, and direct honesty, plus great musicianship. The record is a total bomb. I love the CD. You're a wonderful singer, and the band is smoking. It’s quite moving. It swings, and has got all the stuff that I like! "

• LIVE at Bushbaby [+ Show ]
  

  Soul Understated literally blew the doors open Saturday night with a variety of sounds from Soul, Fu...Soul Understated literally blew the doors open Saturday night with a variety of sounds from Soul, Funk & Jazz & then hit us with a taste of Gospel sound... the crowd poured out onto the street... the energy was positive... & much love was in the air... we thank you for being apart of our concert series......
  
  peace
  
  ~bushbaby
  
  ~Let's make history together

• Wanda Sabir on Jeremy Clemons [+ Show ]
  

  “...I wondered if he'd just landed on the shores, fresh from the Motherland, that's how versatile an...“...I wondered if he'd just landed on the shores, fresh from the Motherland, that's how versatile and multilingual he was. With chereke, bongos, clave and other instruments plus drum set, Clemons added palatable texture and flavor...Jeremy was speaking in tongues...the percussion engine.” Wanda Sabir, San Francisco Bay View on JEREMY “bean” CLEMONS

• Little Ella
  

  Mavis'SWAN' Poole 2007-Crowned "Little Ella" trombonist, Curtis Fuller

• Crown Melbourne Jazz - Another Perspective
  

  Clemons especially impressed as a young drummer with a big future ahead of him.

• Blue Note or The Soul Note [+ Show ]
  

  Mavis "Swan" Poole , Bean And Crew...... You Were Phenomenal. The Whole Band Was Tight But You (SWAN...Mavis "Swan" Poole , Bean And Crew...... You Were Phenomenal. The Whole Band Was Tight But You (SWAN)
  Held Everyone In The Palm Of Your Hand. Y'all Keep Doin What You're Doin........
  
  Myoshi Marilla
  (former host of BET J List)

Setlist

Sets are flexible depending on the Venue or Festival. (ALL ORIGINAL MUSIC with a cover or two snuck in there somewhere)


Introduction
So Uncomfortable
I'm Ready
Truce
Real Love?
Dance Flo'
It's Time Now
Come Out of The Rain (unreleased)
Sista Girl
Aint Like Dat
Gonna Make It


Covers:
Feel Like Making Love
What's Going On
Ex-Factor
Killing Me Softly
People Get Ready

Basic Requirements

Calendar