MEET THE BAND…
Tony Howard
Tallahassee - St. Louis - Portland
"Tony Howard, aka BaceoDarker:
"From the moment he could walk, Tony Howard, also known as BaceoDarker, was hooked on the electrifying energy of live music. Enamored with the irresistible groove of James Brown and the JBs, Tony was captivated by the funk revolution of the '70s, idolizing legends like The Ohio Players, Bootsy Collins, and Parliament Funkadelic. Despite not knowing how to play an instrument or anyone who did, his passion for funk never wavered.
After college, with newfound financial freedom, Tony bought his first bass guitar, igniting a journey that would shape his musical destiny. In the '90s, he rocked the St. Louis music scene with FAT Monkey, a wild, funky hip-hop funk band that became a local favorite. The early 2000s brought Tony to Portland, where his bass grooves powered several standout bands, including Hungry Mob, Full Funkal Nerdity, and StompTown GetDown.
Now, Tony is charging forward with his latest project, Soul Rose, a band poised to capture the very essence of Portland's vibrant music-scene. With a deep-rooted love for funk and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Tony Howard is ready to funk with Soul Rose as they capture the soul of Rose City."
"From the moment he could walk, Tony Howard, also known as BaceoDarker, was hooked on the electrifying energy of live music. Enamored with the irresistible groove of James Brown and the JBs, Tony was captivated by the funk revolution of the '70s, idolizing legends like The Ohio Players, Bootsy Collins, and Parliament Funkadelic. Despite not knowing how to play an instrument or anyone who did, his passion for funk never wavered.
After college, with newfound financial freedom, Tony bought his first bass guitar, igniting a journey that would shape his musical destiny. In the '90s, he rocked the St. Louis music scene with FAT Monkey, a wild, funky hip-hop funk band that became a local favorite. The early 2000s brought Tony to Portland, where his bass grooves powered several standout bands, including Hungry Mob, Full Funkal Nerdity, and StompTown GetDown.
Now, Tony is charging forward with his latest project, Soul Rose, a band poised to capture the very essence of Portland's vibrant music-scene. With a deep-rooted love for funk and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Tony Howard is ready to funk with Soul Rose as they capture the soul of Rose City."
Sam Siciliano
Midwest - Portland
“Sam Siciliano was born in midwest but moved to the Portland area at the age of 1. At age 11 he started playing drums for his 6th grade concert band, and continued throughout middle school, high school, and college. During this time he played in several rock, funk and jazz ensembles. He also had several teachers and mentors from the Portland OR music scene including Kurt Deutcher (Tall Jazz), the late Jeff Cumpston, and Alan Jones. In 2010 Sam met Tony Howard on a snowboarding trip and with him started the funk and soul band Full Funkal Nerdy. From 2011 to 2022, Full Funkal Nerdity (later renamed Stumptown Getdown) performed throughout the Portland and Vancouver metro area, often at the Brickhouse Bar, The Triple Nickel Pub, the Eastburn, The Cruz Room, and the Organic Ale Festival. In addition to Soul Rose, Sam plays with the “3/4” Jazz Trio monthly at Good Neighbor Pizzeria. When not playing drums or watching Bernard Purdie videos on Youtube, Sam works as firmware and systems engineer developing audio gear.”
Jacqui James
Hawaiian islands - Portland
“Jacqui James is a versatile musician whose journey began in Portland, OR to the Hawaiian islands. Jacqui has been involved in various creative outlets from choir, and musical theatre along with singing and playing guitar in several bands from an early age across the U.S.
With inspiration from Hawaiian music, folk, jazz, RnB and reggae influences, she has been able to find a sound of her own and is excited to grow in her musical journey with soul rose.”
With inspiration from Hawaiian music, folk, jazz, RnB and reggae influences, she has been able to find a sound of her own and is excited to grow in her musical journey with soul rose.”
Dave Graves
Portland, OR
"Dave grew up in the Portland area, where an early start on violin gave him a musical foundation before guitar took hold in his teens and never let go. His relationship with the instrument has only grown more serious since. With a deep love for jazz, he has studied with well-known Portland players, learning to truly listen, comp thoughtfully, and find melodies that serve the song. His playing has taken him through indie rock, jazz, and R&B, and he brings an instinct for space and restraint - always searching for the right note at the right moment. Soul Rose represents something new for Dave: a chance to channel that background into the pocket-driven world of funk and soul, and see what happens when a lifetime of melody-first playing meets a live band with a serious groove."
Adam Miller
Iowa - Portland, Oregon
Originally from Eastern Iowa on the Mississippi River, Adam started learning piano at the age of five from his mom. He went on to study both music and computer science in college, developing a deeper understanding of harmony and the structure of classical, pop, and jazz music. After relocating to Oregon, Adam became a bassist in a variety of different bands and received a whole new education in groove, simplicity and the power of the One. Adam brings all these lessons to the keyboard.
On stage, you'll hear him laying down chunky clavinet riffs, soulful organ swells, and the occasional electric piano or synth solo. But what drives him most is locking in with the rhythm section and supporting those rich, layered vocal harmonies.
Whether he’s shaping the vibe of a slow-burning ballad or keeping the pocket tight on an up-tempo funk jam, Adam brings a blend of feel, taste, and texture to every performance.
On stage, you'll hear him laying down chunky clavinet riffs, soulful organ swells, and the occasional electric piano or synth solo. But what drives him most is locking in with the rhythm section and supporting those rich, layered vocal harmonies.
Whether he’s shaping the vibe of a slow-burning ballad or keeping the pocket tight on an up-tempo funk jam, Adam brings a blend of feel, taste, and texture to every performance.
