About Us
RUSTY JAMES - Lead Vocals
Rusty started singing in church at the age of 7. In the 7th grade he joined the school chorus and sang his first solo "All I want For Christmas is My 2 Front Teeth" while having no front teeth. Imitating Louis Armstrong, he received a standing ovation. With that reception, he knew what he wanted to pursue as a career. He continued performing in talent shows, singing songs such as La La Means I Love You and Stay in My Corner. At 17 he joined his first rock band. Albatross, with "Skull" on guitar.
His first professional band was Applewood Smoke followed by Primitive Love, Reality and most notably The Wildflower Band from '79 - '87. Rusty has rejoined some of his former Wildflower band members to do what he was made to do, Be All SOULed Out!
LUKE ABRUZZO - Guitar / Vocals
Luke has been playing in some of the premiere bands in the Philadelphia metropolitan area for the past fifteen years. He is an award-winning guitarist, spanning jazz, classical, and of course rhythm and blues and soul. When not working with ALL SOULed Out, he leads his own jazz trio playing clubs and festivals in the tri-state area. Aside from performing, Luke is a commissioned composer and arranger of national recognition. His work has been premiered in California, Colorado, Texas, as well as numerous locales on the east coast. In addition to his creative work, Luke Abruzzo is a full-time faculty member at Drexel University where he teaches music theory and composition. In addition to his creative work, Luke Abruzzo is an Associate Teaching Professor at Drexel University where he teaches music theory and composition, and is director of the Music Program.
MIKE IPRI - Drums / Vocals
Mike comes from a musical family so it’s only natural that he is still playing drums. He started in elementary school band and has not stopped since. Mike’s father, Al Ipri started him off on drums after Mike began his musical experience with piano lessons at age 7. Mike has been playing locally since the ‘70s and has had some “road” experience on cruise ships and various tours from Florida to Maine, Green Bay, Dallas and Las Vegas. Mike has played in Atlantic City at Resorts International, Taj Mahal, Tropicana, Caesar’s, Bally’s and Trump’s Castle.
Mike currently teaches music in the Tabernacle School District and has been a part of their music department since 1991. Mike received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Mike feels like he has found a new home with the All SOULed Out Band and is thrilled to be part of the rhythm section.
TOM REITER - Bass / Vocals
Tom has been playing bass since the 1960's. Major influences in developing his style were James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, Ron Carter, Jaco and a host of others.
Tom has been active in the tri-state area in original bands like (NJ) Alabama, and multitude of cover bands including Wildflower, The Invaders, Cheers, Special K, Sunflower, Stars, The Hoodoo Daddies, Bullwinkle, Destiny, Earmuffed in Bangkok and Grynder Switch. He has appeared with The Marvelettes and Charlie Thomas' Drifters and has played for the Miss America reception in Atlantic City. He continues to play fretless jazz with Peter Devine and others in duo and trio jazz settings. Tom draws from all styles including funk, soul, rock, country, classical and jazz to best support a total band sound.
Jay Wallace - Keyboards / Vocals
Jay started playing piano at age 7 studying classical piano for 11 years. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has performed in many bands since the '70's including Miles Beyond, Rows of Jars, Wildflower, Big City, Coast to Coast, Black Williams & The Big Payback and Don't Call Me Francis. He has also toured nationally with The Intruders (I'll Always Love My Momma) sharing the stage with such greats as The Delfonics, Major Harris, Billy Paul, and Ray, Goodman & Brown.
Garry Lee (G.L.) Rosenberg - Trombone / Vocals
Garry Lee grew up in Northeast Philly. He comes from a musical family. His father was a high school music teacher and his mother was a folk singer and guitarist. He began playing trumpet at age 8 and switched to trombone a year later. Garry Lee's professional career began at age 16 when he started playing and arranging for local bands on weekends. He attended Temple University where he majored in composition and then the prestigious Berklee College Of Music where he majored in jazz composition, arranging and film scoring.
Gary McKeen - Trumpet / Vocals
Gary was raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota by musical parents. His Dad played tenor saxophone and his mother violin and had their son take piano lessons at the age of 7 and the trumpet at 10. He excelled as a brass player with his involvement with Drum and Bugle Corps and earned a BA degree in trumpet performance from Minnesota State University before moving East to Philadelphia with the original recording group “Crystal Haze”.