Vocalists –

Solorah The Essence

Ashley Commodore

Monique Blakey

Band –

Ethan Yeshaya – bass

Deevo – guitar

RAWTWHYLAH – drums

Tommy Barbarella – keys

The next chapter of Ladies of Soul is here! Volume One celebrated greats of the 1970s and 80s. Now, Volume 2 explores three artists from the 1990s and 2000s – Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Angie Stone. These powerful women pushed the boundaries of genre, incorporating hip-hop, rock, and pop elements into R&B traditions. Their explorations gave rise to neo-soul, and these three became household names!

Solorah The Essence is the vocalist/leader of jazz/R&B fusion collective Bakkwooddrift. Here, her angelic voice embodies soulful black music.

Ashley Commodore is a singer from a family of talented, accomplished musicians. Her mother Ginger, father Bobby, and brother Brandon are all Twin Cities gems performing in varied music genres. Ashley has been featured with Grammy Award winning group the Sounds of Blackness. Additionally, she currently tours with national recording artist Stokley Williams. Further, she is the newest member of the jazz vocal ensemble, Moore By Four. When not out on the road with Stokley & the VÜ, you can find her sitting in with the Dr Mambo’s Combo at Bunkers Bar and Grill.

Singer/songwriter/actor Monique Blakey discovered her very large voice at a very young age. She began singing at the age of five and acting by the age of nine. Monique was immediately thrust into talent shows, plays, and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet! Additionally, she has worked on network TV, recorded with several mainstream artists, and acted in several stage productions. Also, she recently landed her first role in a Hulu series.