Meet The Band
Leadership
Daryl Soo | Band Manager/Guitar
Musical Background: Minor in Music – Indiana University, IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 9 years. Wedding experience – 4 years. Notable projects – Cincinnati Music Festival 2018. Musical influences – Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars
Personal:
Daryl put this band together because there’s no joy like doing what you love with the people you love. After years of studying guitar styles from all genres, he’s come to understand the importance of nuanced details in music that make great songs the hits they are, and is a lesson he emphasizes to the band. That combined with his belief that the chemistry and joy that we share on stage as musicians and as friend creates a level of energy and creativity that sets us apart. When he’s not playing a wedding, he’s either travelling, snowboarding or doing some other activity that involves being outside.
Jared Griffin | East Coast Manager/Vocals
Musical Background: Jazz Studies Major – Indiana University, IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 23 years. Wedding experience – 8 years. Notable projects – Cincinnati Music Festival 2018. Musical influences – Stevie Wonder, Bilal, Michael Jackson
Personal:
Jared is our industry veteran. He started singing the day he learned to talk and hasn’t slowed down since. While his skills as a vocalist are exceptional, his accumulated knowledge in the industry is where he shines. Having held roles as sound engineer, producer, etc., we as a team are equipped with the knowledge to deliver more than just the music for your event, but the intensity of emotion that is created when music and production come together as one. On the side his passion is as an educator, seeking to share the knowledge that he’s gained with the next generation.
Vocal Section
Kayla Behforouz | Vocals
Musical Background: IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 11 years. Wedding experience – 3 years. Notable projects – End of an Era (Solo album). Musical influences – Jacob Collier
Personal:
For years Kayla has pursued developing her skills as a musician and songwriter because her passion for her friends and her community are bar none, and she has always sought to bring joy to others through her music. The musical knowledge, vocal skills, commitment and energy she brings is the glue that holds us together and is what enables us to deliver show stopping moments on stage. She’s also on her way to getting her degree in law at Indiana University because advocacy and pro bono work are two subjects she holds dear.
Aaliyah Hyde | Vocals
Musical Background: IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 8 years. Wedding experience – 2 years. Notable projects – Cincinnati Music Festival 2018. Musical influences – Jill Scott
Personal:
Aaliyah’s got moves moves moves. On top of being a phenomenal vocalist, we can’t count the number of times she’s gotten the entire dance floor following along with the band in doing the electric slide, or some other dance routine. Even if the dance crowd is thin, we guarantee she will get the rest of your party out there.
Zoe Reed| Vocals
Musical Background: IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 9 years. Wedding experience – 5 years. Notable projects – Cincinnati Music Festival 2018. Musical influences – Lauryn Hill
Personal:
Zoe’s vocal range makes her our powerhouse. She’s spent years honing her craft as a singer and pays attention to every detail in the songs she sings. So even if it’s from Tina Turner to Ariana Grande and Hayley Williams; she’ll bring those songs to life as if the artists that wrote them were right in front of you. Her other passions are her pups! On top of her family dogs, she owns her own dog training company; Helix K9.
Rhythm Section
Nate Durham | Bass
Musical Background: IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 12 years. Wedding experience – 3 years. Musical influences – Ricky Minor, Adam Blackstone
Personal:
Nate the bass is another one of our musicians that grew up playing in gospel church. As such, he has the same foundations of most great bass players in the industry. So when it comes to performing, he shares the same technical knowledge as the greats and is the backbone of our groove.
Garett Dwyer | Percussion
Musical Background: Percussion Performance Major – Indiana University , IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 12 years. Wedding experience – 3 years. Notable projects – Cincinnati Music Festival 2018, Percussion Director @ Union Public Schools, Percussion Coordinator @ Zephyrus Drum & Bugle Corps. Musical influences –
Personal:
Garrett is an accomplished percussionist that is the cherry on top of any show he plays. With his arsenal of instruments, he adds a layer of sound that you’ve never realized is present on almost every song you’ve ever heard. Percussion is not something you always think to have in a band, but as with all our clients that have chosen to have Garett on a show, we share their sentiment: “Having a percussionist at our wedding was like having sprinkles on your ice cream, we didn’t realize what we were missing and absolutely needed till we had it.”
marco Giovannelli | Music Director/Keys
Musical Background: Jazz Studies Major – Indiana University, IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 12 years. Wedding experience – 6 years. Notable projects – Producer (Bankrol Hyaden, MannyWellz, SpotemGottem, Ebony Loren, Aiden Intro), Keyboardist (Bootsy Collins). Musical influences – Cory Henry, Stevie Wonder
Personal:
Marco is a R&B/Jazz pianist, producer, and educator from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has contributed to Pop, R&B, and Hip/Hop records by some of the industry’s most in-demand artists from Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and beyond. This diverse background enables him to do what he loves most: share music with the world. In turn, this passion has fueled his thirst for musical knowledge which enables us as a band to come up with unique arrangements and re-harmonies on the fly; guaranteeing you a show like no other.
Tim Hansen | Guitar
TBD
Kimeon Sumler | Drums
Musical Background: Jazz Studies Major – Indiana University, IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 12 years. Wedding experience – 6 years. Notable projects – Let Me Know Live (Single), Missed Call (Single), Drummer (Bootsy Collins, Wycliffe Gordon, Lamar Campbell, Pacers Drumline, Brenda Williams). Musical influences – Chris Dave, Robert Glasper, Anderson .Paak
Personal:
Kimeon, aka Pinko, is the core of our groove. Having grown up playing in gospel church, when Kimeon lays down a beat, the crowd stops to listen. He is the heart and soul of Funk Almighty, and when he moves with the music, he might take songs places that only our band members can follow because of our long standing connection as friends that enable us to know exactly where he’s going and how to make something special out of it; giving you a show you will not experience elsewhere.
Horn Section
Patrick Wailes | Alto Saxophone
TBD
Jeff Parker | Trumpet/Trombone
Musical Background: Jazz Studies Major – Indiana University , IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 12 years. Wedding experience – 6 years. Notable projects – . Musical influences – Miles Davis, Regiment Horns
Personal:
At heart Jeff is a Jazz man, and it’s this background that allows him to bring a unique perspective on the funk/pop/R&B tunes. He arranges most of our horn parts that wouldn’t otherwise be heard on some songs; giving you the unique Funk Almighty spin on classics. Also. you won’t see it coming, but at some point during our set he will be rapping Jay-Z, and that’s one of those guaranteed show stopping moments.
Peyton Womock | Alto Saxophone
Musical Background: Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 12 years. Wedding experience – 6 years. Notable projects – NYC Comic Con, Telfar Global, SYOS, SoFar Sounds Global Virtual Performance, NBA G League National Anthem. Musical influences – Michael Jackson, Cory Henry, Kanye West
Personal:
Musician, brand ambassador, and above all, entertainer. Peyton is a shining star when it comes to the energy and entertainment that he will bring to your event because armed with his sax, his creativity in performing is nothing short of spectacular. A live example: while performing at a wedding at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, Peyton found his way on top of the fountain in front of the dance floor and performed a full solo (a moment we have continued to hear praised by guests at the wedding 2 years ago) and still made it back to the stage completely dry to continue the set with the band when he was done.
Dexter Clardy | Vocals
Musical Background: IU Soul Revue – Indiana University Music Ensemble. Music Industry – 10 years. Wedding experience – 6 years. Notable projects – Cincinnati Music Festival 2018. Musical influences – James Brown, Usher, Miguel
Personal:
Dexter's got rhythm in his soul and a voice that can't be ignored. Trained under music directors who've shared stages with the legends such as Earth, Wind & Fire and more, Dexter knows how to bring a performance. More than his dance moves and vocal talent, Dexter's experience as a musician has honed his ability to spontaneously craft creative moments on stage that our band never fails to take advantage of. Whether it's a classic tune or a modern hit, it’s always unforgettable when Dex takes the mic stand.