The nationally touring acappella ensemble SoVoSo brought its unique improvisational style to San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel on Sunday, June 22.
The group’s name is a derivative of “from the Soul to Voice to Song.” They describe themselves as vocalists who “imitate musical instruments.” Group members: drums (Dave), bass (Brian), lead guitar (Zoe), rhythm guitar (Sunshine) and horns (Vernon and Ashlyn).
The concert was a two-hour celebration of the human voice. SoVoSo’s diverse mix of vocal rhythms smoothly blended together jazz, gospel, world and rhythm and blues.
The ensemble, which hails from the East Bay, has performed together since 1987. Several members also perform with other groups. Dave has toured with Bobby McFerrin for the last 12 years and Ashlyn has performed with Oakland native and funk impresario Larry Graham of Graham Central Station for the last five years. The group was hosted at San Quentin by Lisa Starbird of Bread and Roses, which has been bringing musical acts to entertain the incarcerated for more than 40 years.
SoVoSo’s soulful harmonizing offered something musical for everyone in attendance. The ensemble sang original compositions, as well as the gospel classic “Down by the River” and a stirring rendition of the 23rd Psalm. The group’s de facto leader, Dave, put on an impressive display of beat-boxing, demonstrating how he vocally replicated the components of a complete drum set.
Inmates were encouraged to participate in a call-and-response sing-a-long and an open question-and-answer period. One questioner asked if the ensemble had ever auditioned for the popular television show “The Sing Off,” an acappella singing competition.
“Sure we did,” said Zoe. “But we were told we were too old. However, the consolation for us is that we’ve performed with the Bay Area youth singing group who came in second place on the program last season. The show’s opened a few doors for them and we helped make that happen,” she said, laughing.
