Meet the Band...
Nicky Prince - Lead Vocals
Nicky has been singing for over 20 years, (a dancer prior to that). She grew up on Soul, R&B and Jazz-Funk. She has been in many bands and her main influences and inspirations come from both old and new artists such as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Night, The Isley Brothers, Nikka Costa, India Arie and James Brown.
Over the years, Nicky has supported Funk Pioneer Roy Ayres, Courtney Pine, The Three Degrees, Nate James (at the prestigious Jazz Cafe in London), performed with Bernie Marsden at the Silverstone Grand Prix and more recently Martha Reeves and The Vandellas at The Bedford Corn Exchange!
Back in the 90′s, she played Glastonbury several times with ‘Flipside’ and was also part of the UK’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest with Imaani; appearing on many TV shows included Top Of The Pops.
Nicky released her first solo EP 'See What You Mean' in 2009 which is available on CD and to download but also had chart success back in 2000 with the Zed Bias Garage track ‘Neighbourhood’. New solo material coming soon!
Damian Flack- Keys
Damian first began playing the piano at the age of seven.
Since then, he has worked extensively and travelled the world as Musical Director with Cunard and performing with various well known artists.
Damian has worked with Nicky Prince many times over the years on various projects.
Howard Norman- Guitar
Howard has been playing guitar for around 25 years and has played in many different bands over this time, including several with other members of Soul Selecta.
He has performed at many high profile corporate & private events both here & abroad. Including Weddings, Parties, Corporate events, Concerts & Festivals. He has played alongside & supported (among others) Courtney Pine at the Stables, Bernie Marsden at The Silverstone Grand Prix, Martha Reeves at the Bedford Corn Exchange, Nate James at the Jazz Cafe & The 3 Degrees in concert.
He is also a very popular guitar teacher with well over 100 private lessons a month
Robin Phillips- Bass
Robin has been playing bass since ’96 when he was asked to join Solstice and was gigging in Europe and at places like the 100 Club and the Astoria with some great players.
His main influences are some of the great groove players – James Jamerson (Motown), Willie Weekes (Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder), Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (Booker T. Stax), to name but a few.
Robin isn’t known as the ‘laid back groovesmith’ for nothing!
Robin is still a part of Solstice who are still recording and performing.
Pete Hemsley - Drums
Pete's career has taken in many facets of the music industry including producing, remixing, touring (both as a solo artist and sideman), composing and teaching drums.
He has played with some of the greats, including Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, and recorded numerous albums, most recently with Solstice.
Pete is a three times nominee for an APRA award!
Tom Ridout - Sax
Tom is currently studying Jazz Sax at the Royal Academy of Music, here he has had the opportunity to perform with many top Jazz musicians such as Dave Holland, and perform in venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Tom gigs regularly on the London Jazz scene, and is a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, with which he performs regularly in many venues across the country. Recently NYJO performed in Buckingham Palace with guest star Gregory Porter, and also 3 days at Ronnie Scotts in Soho.
Tom loves playing a wide variety of styles and genres, from baroque through Jazz and Soul to Heavy funk.