The Hoo Doo Soul Band started in 1995 as a side project for several seasoned veterans of the Columbus music scene who wanted an outlet to play Funk and Rhythm and Blues. In January 1995 they started a weekly Sunday night gig at Oldfield’s on High. It quickly became the place to be and 10 years later shows no signs of slowing down at a new venue, The Rumba Cafe. The audience is always full of local players, and many well known national artists have been seen on stage or in the crowd on their way through Columbus.

While primarily a cover band, Hoo Doo is known for putting thier own twist on the standards and introducing audiences to unfamiliar funky gems. A critically acclaimed live CD was recorded at Oldfield’s in 1997.
The band received the Columbus Music Awards Best Cover Band in 1999 and Best Live Performance in 2000.
In 2002, Hoo Doo opened for and Ray Charles among many other public and private shows.

The Sounds
Face it, doing justice to a song made famous by Al Green or Earth, Wind and Fire is a daunting task, but the Hoodoo Soul Band manages to perform such classics with grace and plenty of joyful energy. Whether the ensemble plays old R&B or some Latin rhythm, this is one of a handful of Columbus bands that manages to merge outstanding musicianship with all-out fun entertainment.

The Players
Manned with local pros, the band has horns, strings and singers; together, this group can literally fill some of the city’s tinier stages. Because the musicians all play in multiple bands, the lineup sometimes differs from gig to gig, but it’s always carried off well. Shows can get intimate and steamy, but seizing the opportunity to sweat and groove ought to be the reason you go see Hoodoo anyway.

Tony McClung – drums
Jeff Ciampa – bass and vocals
Kevin Oliver – Guitar and vocals
John Boerstler – guitar and vocals
Dave DeWitt – keyboards
Mark Henderson – percussion
Chris Young – trumpet
Kris Keith – saxophone and vocals
Kevin Oneill – saxophone
Phil Clark – saxophone and vocals
Bobbie Stewart -vocals