Biography
Jipes
Guitarist and singer formely from Paris, he is in Mulhouse since 1990. Blues addict and New oleans funk lover, he has already play in several bands since 30 years (Préface, Bonson Blues Band, Highway 66, Blue Mood etc..)
Ingrid
Ingrid, singer for more than 10 years has given her voice to several projects from Reggae to Variété francaise. She always had a love for Soul music and that's naturally that she joined the Band in 2005
Christophe
Christophe is one of the few original members of the SoulManiacs (with Sebastien, Jipes and Xavier). He met Sandie, the original singer of the band in a musical comedy show and got hooked onto the project right away. Since then he is the "funky drummer" of teh band since it's origin in 2001. He had few musical experience before but got deeply involved and gave lot's of energy to drive the groove of the band and adding a good sense of humor in the life of the group.
Alan
He did a muscial school together with our ex-bass player in the qui a fait C.M.C.N in Nancy. Alex, ex-bass player introduce Alan to the band and he was immediately adopted not only for his musical skills but also for his good temper and it's commitment. His musical expérience with numerous regional bands (mainly Jazz) have given him a very solid basis to become a great member of the band.
Xavier
Xavier had guitar at his first love but moved soon to play piano. Very quickly he was suffering from this terrible disease wich pushes him to perfom live with several bands. Since then he had play from Blues to pop, including bends where rock'n roll lead him to funk,notably with The Night Owls and the band Kyfonk. Xavier loves all the black music from Motown, to Duke Ellington Big Band, Oscar Peterson trio, JB's horns and the immense talent of Prince.
Sebastien
Since the beginning of the SoulManiacs, he plays and write the scores for the entire horn section. Since the reorganization of the Band in 2009, Sebastien has switch from alto to Baryton saxophone which brings a more funky touch to the horn section.
Arnaud
Arnaud has joined the SoulManiacs after Valentin departure in 2003, since then he has brought a jazzy touch and a devastating sense of humor to the band. He plays Tenor saxophone with a special love for Tower of Power and James Brown music !
Maxime
Maxime is the youngest musican in the Maniacs but not the least talented. As a jazz fan he fréquently participate to the Jam-sessions wherever he can . Very polyvalent he can play in free jaz bands, Blues combo or even with an acoustic project with Jipes . He also loves to play with D.Js Kira or also in Big band like the Mulhouse Jazz Big Band.
Pierre Paul
Pierre Paul is one of the last members of the horn section, he came in after the sabbatical leave of Marc the ex-trombone player.As a Free jazz lover, he was immediatly well adapted to the improvisation and also brought a great technical touch to the band. He also play in a funk free jazz band together with sebastien our score composer !
Raoul
Trumpet player and dandy, il est avec Pierre paul l'un des deux nouveaux membres du groupe. Arrivé avec la bénédiction de Lolo, notre ancien trompettiste, le passage de témoin c'est éffectué avec bonheur ! Raoul a un excellent background jazz qu'il contribue à parfaire en suivant la classe de Jazz du Conservatoire de Mulhouse. Il commence la trompette à l'âge de 9 ans à l'école de musique de Sausheim puis poursuit une formation classique à L'ENM de Mulhouse et jazz au CEDIM de Strasbourg ainsi qu' à l'ENM de Belfort.Il joue avec plusieurs groupes mulhousiens , reggae et funk. Avec Superdog, groupe de rock strasbourgeois il fait la première partie de Franz Ferdinand à la foire aux vins de Colmar devant près de 10 000 personnes. Il joue actuellement dans le Mulhouse Big Jazz Band en compagnie de Maxime (notre sax alto) et officie également dans le groupe rock inclassable strasbourgeois: Gamesdoglar Ses influences / Maurice André , Chet Baker , Macéo Parker, Roy Hargrove, Arturo Sandoval , Winton Marsalis etc ...
