J.P. Soars Builds His House Brick By Brick
Several years ago J.P. Soars became aware that he was building his audience one person at a time. He’d win a new fan, or several, every time he played and eventually he knew he could create a healthy career if he stuck with it.
“It all seemed very natural,” says Soars, who titled his new album Brick By Brick as a testament to his approach. “The album is very reflective of how I have built my music career, one brick at a time.”
The new album by the Boca Raton, Fla. musician is his first for Little Village (release date: June 30, 2024 ) and shines a light on the multi-dimensional musical talents of Soars. In addition to his base of blues-rock, Soars displays his affection for the influences of gypsy jazz, country, Latin, rock and heavy metal.
“I didn’t set out with any game plan for this album,” he says. “In fact, a lot of these songs came out of the pandemic when I was just fooling around with different songs and styles. It just grew around that.”
Standout tracks include “Things Ain’t Working Out,” a guitar-driven lament to a broken relationship while “Keep Good Company” features Soars on guitar and lyrics that reinforce the need to be watchful of your own conduct. Soars also does a masterful job on Little Milton’s “That’s What Love Will Make You Do.” “Can’t Keep Her Off My Mind” is a supercharged, hillbilly-country rave up. Soars plays banjo on the song, with strong interplay with the rollicking fiddle of Anne Harris (known for her work with bluesman Otis Taylor), and backing vocals by Annika
Chambers and Paul DesLauriers. Soars borrows from his gypsy jazz vocabulary on “Jezebel,” a sinewy beat that underscores the force attraction to an overpowering charm of a woman he can’t resist. To those who know Soars, his eclectic approach to music is no surprise. In fact, his ability to shift gears between musical styles has become a major thrust of his live shows.
In 2009, Soars won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge, including
the prestigious Albert King guitar award. Since then, he’s nominated for six Blues Music
Awards, including best guitarist, best blues-rock, best contemporary blues artist, best
band and as B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. - Kevin Johnson - Little Village Foundation
Playing the blues not only requires diligence and dedication, but also an inherent sense of purpose and passion. Guitarist and vocalist J.P. Soars knows those instincts all too well, having been imbued with absolute enthusiasm for the form. It’s not only steered his muse ever since, but also brought him to the heights of success and wide recognition. A first place winner of the Blues Foundation 2009 International Blues Challenge, the Albert King Best Guitarist Award, any number of Blues Music nominations as Best Contemporary Male Blues Artist, and a nod for Best Blues Album, he’s been the recipient of continuing critical kudos, extensive worldwide airplay and sales that have elevated him to the uppermost rungs of every major Blues chart.
Of course, Soars and his powerhouse trio the Red Hots — including drummer Chris Peet and bassist Cleveland Fredrick — are no strangers to live performance either. Soars and Peet have played together for the past 16 years, while Fredrick, “the new guy,” has been with the band since 2016. They’ve proven their mettle on stages both nationally and internationally, played blues festivals from Belgium to Brazil, and shared stages with the likes of Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa. Brian Setzer and Larry Graham. They’ve also been seven time regulars on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, no small wonder considering the fact that they’re familiar faces on both coasts of South Florida, the place Soars proudly calls home.
“I consider myself both blessed and honored to get to play music for people,” Soars says humbly. “It’s a privilege. I am extremely grateful and I never take it for granted for a minute. I love putting smiles on folks faces and maybe help some folks forget about their troubles for a while. Seeing people dancing, and having a good time puts a smile on my face.”
