MAHALIA BARNES + THE SOUL MATES
blues
About
Mahalia Barnes has been in and around music her entire life. Throughout her childhood years she was exposed to everything from Mahalia Jackson, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke to Ike + Tina Turner to Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, all of which helped shape her into the powerhouse soul and blues vocalist that has jaws dropping every time she picks up a mic.
Mahalia has a unique ability to make her audience feel every word and note she sings. Fearlessly vulnerable and deeply connected to the songs she performs.
Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates consistently play to capacity crowds around the country. They have toured nationally and internationally supporting artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Mavis Staples, Joe Bonamassa, Bryan Adams, Tom Jones and more.
The Soul Mates consists of a floating line up of some of Australia’s most respected and in demand players. Often featuring Clayton and Lachy Doley on keys, Franco Raggatt on guitar, Benjamin Rodgers on bass and Warren Trout on drums. The Soul Mates love to play intimate stripped back shows as well as big gigs where the band will sometimes include a horn section, or special guest vocalists like Karen Lee Andrews, Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins and Prinnie Stevens – but no matter what format, every single show is powerful, dynamic and unique. If you are fortunate enough to be a part of the audience, you’re sure to be captivated, invited into Mahalia’s world and taken on a journey.
