THE MIGHTY SOUL DRIVERS ARE:
BOB ORSI
// vocals
Veteran front man Bob Orsi's dramatic vocals have driven the success of bands from CT's legendary Scratch Band to the award-winning D. Smith Blues Band. Although perhaps better known to the public for his harmonica skills, Bob is also an accomplished rhythm guitarist who brings an extra dimension to several of the songs. And of course it is his impassioned vocals that are at the core of The Mighty Soul Drivers' sound.
RIVER CITY SLIM
// drums
After singing and playing harp as the front man for The Blues Blasters throughout the 90's, Slim has led The Zydeco Hogs as they brought the sound of Louisiana Zydeco and Blues to the Northeast. Slim has been spreading the Soul, Blues and R&B gospel over the air for years as a DJ on WWUH and
WAPJ. The idea for The Mighty Soul Drivers had been kicking around in the back of his mind for a while when a chance meeting with Bob at a CT Blues Society jam session in early 2012 finally put the wheels in motion.
LARRY WILLEY
// guitar
Crowd-pleasing guitarist Larry Willey has led Blues and R&B bands for years, including The Working Band and The Blues Talkers. After witnessing the excitement of the Blues and R&B pioneers at the legendary Shaboo Inn in its 1970's heyday, Larry cut his musical teeth with CT Blues pioneers The Albert Otis Band, and has been a fixture on the CT Blues and R&B scene ever since.
TONY DELISIO
// bass
Tony has held down the bottom for a number of popular Southern New England bands, most notably the George T. Gregory Band. Tony also worked with War harmonica great Lee Oskar and has done session work with a variety of artists. Besides working with The Mighty Soul Drivers, he also fronts his own trio The Groove Section.
NEIL TINT
// trumpet
Neil put his horn in storage for a while to work and raise a family, but he's dusted off the fedora and white linen jacket to round out the MSD horn section. You may have also seen him occasionally lurking in the horn section with The Savage Brothers, Measured Soul, Cover 2 Cover, and Flashback.
STEVE DONOVAN
// keyboards
Veteran keyboard man Steve Donovan recently returned to his native CT after many years in the Los Angeles area. Steve has appeared with a who's who of West Coast R&B and Jazz bands, and now brings his great keyboard stylings to The Mighty Soul Drivers.
JOHN SMAYDA
// saxophones
Mild-mannered clock-maker by day, leather-lunged R&B sax honker by night -- whether he's got the tenor or the baritone in his hands, John adds a deep dimension to The Mighty Soul Drivers' sound.
John's musical resume wouldn't even fit on this page, but suffice to say he's been with bands from the legendary Linda & The Loveletters to The Convertibles and The Kathy Thompson Band. He's also been part of the pit orchestra in theaters as diverse as the Oakdale in Wallingford, Goodspeed Opera House and The Bushnell in Hartford. You may have even seen him with the Moscow Circus!