Jimmy and the Soul Blazers are an American soul, funk, rhythm and blues band from Alliance, Ohio. Since 1966 they have played for audiences across the East Coast and Midwest. Among the locations for many years was on the floating stage in Bemus Point for local fans and for the group of fans who came from the band's home base in Ohio. At the end of each show they would invite fans to join them onstage to lock arms and sing, With A Little Help From My Friends. I recall this moment very well because one year I, myself, joined them on stage for a thrill of a lifetime. I even joined Bill McCrea at his microphone.
Think how long ago 1966 was. That's how long Jimmy Korleski has been leading Jimmy and the Soul Blazers. "It's very heartwarming and humbling," Korleski said of the band's ability to still draw a crowd after 50 years. Prior to a concert in Ohio a few years ago Jimmy said those attending can expect to hear much of the same music that the band has been serving up for years: "Alot of Motown, Temptations, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves and Smokey Robinson. We still do some Joe Cocker, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Earth Wind & Fire."
The original band lineup was Dave Sorge on guitar, John Fugate on bass, Mike "Puggy" Durutta on sax, Bill McCrea on bongo drums and vocals with Jimmy as frontman. McCrea, a drummer was brought to the band's front line to be a vocalist-percussionist. There have been several keyboardists over the years with three horn players as well as Brian Burse on trumpet, Dave Kolinski-Schultz on sax and flute with Bob Hoefler on trombone.
"All five of the original guys have been with us until recently, but now we're a couple guys down due to medical issues and one lives in Texas," Korleski said. "When they can come, they come."
In an interview found online with Korleski he talks about his life of soul-blazing.
Do you see an end in sight for Jimmy and the Soul Blazers now that you're 70?
"If we're having fun and we do it well, we'll keep going. Those two things need to be in place. Just because the age numbers go up, we don't want the energy to go down. We still push ourselves to do it well. People will say sometimes, 'What are you doing tonight?' I say, "I have rehearsal, and they say, 'You guys rehearse?' At this late date, I take it as a privilege. I go out and go after it. I'm not one of those guys who thinks we live on your laurels."
What were the early days of the band like?
"We were five pieces doing rhythm annd blues. We were blessed that crowds came to see us and danced. I was probably 19, the others were two or three years younger. A lot of us went to the same grade school, St. Joseph's in Alliance. I went to Canton Central School Catholic, the other guys were all at Alliance High School. We were playing much of the same soul music we do now, we covered a wide genre, all the things that were real big at the time. I was very much into harmonies. We had alot of flexibility in terms of desire and, God bless us, talent."
Do you have fans who have been with you the entire journey?
"We absolutely do. We've been blessed over the years, especially as time goes on. People come to see you, I never take that for granted. We played for alot of their weddings, and their kids' weddings, and now some of their grandkids are showing up. We joke about it, they're like third-generation. I never looked at it as just an audience. It's like your extended family. They feel close to us and we feel close to them."
Dan Dalpra, founder and CEO of the Pops grew up with the group. "They played for my high school graduation party and were always the favorite band in the Canton/Alliance Ohio area. Jimmy and the Soulblazers can still deliver on a quality sound. It sure would be fun to someday bring them all back together onto the floating stage", said Dalpra.
Jimmy and the Soulblazer fans would agree!
Be safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
