Katina Price – Female Vocalist
Katina joined Soul Experience in 2017, and lives in Springfield, IL with her husband Marcus and daughter Brianna. Katina is new to the local band scene, but is no stranger to being on stage. Since 2011, Katina, along with her daughter, have been a part of various community theatre productions on both the Springfield MUNI Opera & Hoogland Center stages. Katina considers it an honor to be a part of Soul Experience. She is also grateful for the community following thus far, and is looking forward to what God has in store for the group in the coming years.
Reggie Britton – Male Vocalist
Son of jazz bassist Rayfield Britton, Reggie started his musical career as the premier trio drummer with The Black Knights, an award winning drum and bugle corps. His ever expanding talents led him to St. Louis, where he spent three years as the drummer for The Natchez Cast on the Robert E. Lee riverboat. As part of their repertoire, the cast performed a variety of Dixieland standards and blues. After moving to Springfield, Reggie became the drummer of preference for such local acts as The Joe Tenuto Band, Tash and Country Magic, and legendary Sun Records recording artist Eddie Snow, where he met Mr. Snow’s guitarist, Harry Nino. Reggie is now one of the front entertainers for Soul Experience.
Willie Christmon – Bassist and Background Vocals
Willie has been playing professionally for 38 years in the Midwest area with numerous bands and is versed in the following genres: Blues, Rock, Funk, Soul, and Jazz, all of which he incorporates in his playing style. He provides an energetic stage presence while laying a solid beat for the group. Bands Willie has played with include Velvet Jones, Shadow, The Next, Hand Jive, Picture This, Full Circle, Greyhounds, and Black Magic Johnson.
Alexis Rogers – Electric Guitarist
Electric guitarist Alexis Rogers consistently explores new ways of sonic expression to blur the lines between traditional genres and styles. He has been gigging throughout central Illinois for two decades as a member of the Suit & Tie Guy Band, Elevator Shoe, ProtoFunk, Black Magic Johnson, The Luzhin Defense, and John T. Crisp Jr’s Charm The Band With Ada Lou.
Steve Alexander – Drummer
Steve has been playing drums for some 50 plus years. He grew up in the lively music scene in Champaign, Illinois where he was influenced by such greats as jazz organist Jack McDuff, rock group REO Speedwagon, and jazz trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater. Steve played with a variety of jazz and local R&B bands in Champaign. Steve has played with Springfield jazz band Footprints and jazz fusion band FH3. Steve was also a former member of the smooth jazz band Dreaming in Colours. Steve is known for his versatile drumming ability, having played with several groups ranging from jazz, blues, rock, R&B, and yes, country. Steve is currently the drummer for the very popular group Soul Experience.
Mike Gillette – Saxophone
Mike Gillette plays saxophones for the band, and has been playing music professionally since he was 16 years old. Originally a clarinet player, he learned to play sax, flute, guitar, and bass guitar. A college music major, Mike received a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Mike has played professionally with the following: Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the Springfield Muni, Springfield Municipal Band, Springfield All-Star Big Band, Tombstone Bullet, Rockin’ Rebels, Salt and Pepper, Big Bad Blues Machine with Ruth LaMasters, Dinosaurs and others. He was also contracted for gigs with The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pipps, the Temptations, the Tokens, a variety of traveling professional Broadway musicals and 40’s era dance bands.
Jeremy Peck – Trumpet
Jeremy played lead trumpet in marching, concert, and jazz bands in high school, and continued playing lead in those same bands throughout college. Jeremy started playing out in those college years with various dance bands and jazz combos at local bars. After moving on with life and taking a break, he started playing with church praise bands at Chatham UMC, and over the last 15 years has been expanding skills, learning to play by ear, and to find harmonies to fill in holes in music.
Larry Black – Trombone
Larry recently retired from Perten Instruments, a scientific instrument company. He is married with 2 adult sons. In addition to Soul Experience, he also plays with the Big Shake Daddies based in Alton, IL, and has played with the Lincoln Land Community College Jazz band for over 25 years. Larry also sits in with Jambalaya Jam and other groups as often as possible.
Ryan Napier – Keyboardist
Ryan has had a love for music spanning almost 30 years, playing piano at age 3. Over the past 15 years Ryan has played for various vocal ensembles all over his Cincinnati Ohio hometown. He has also played multiple states, from the Carolinas, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida, and Texas. In addition to Soul Experience Band, Ryan is the lead organist/keyboardist for his church, King of Kings Christian Assembly, international touring band B.O.C (Band of Christians), musical director – N’Treble, and from time to
time plays with Mike Burnett and the Big Suns. Ryan understands that every good and perfect gift comes from God and is relentlessly aiming to use his God given gift to glorify & honor God.