The new album 'A Long Road Home' by Steve Somers
These are the musicians that made my songs fly
Ben Somers
Wesley Gibbens
Wesley Gibbens
This is my wonderful son Ben, he is incredibly talented and gives me no end of grief musically speaking and makes me a better songwriter/musician for it. His inspirational approach to music keeps me going. He has played for many famous people, runs bands , writes and arranges music for himself and others.
Ben Somers was basically born in ‘the dressing room’, Inspired massively by the likes of Sonny Rollins, Willie Nelson, cellist Rushed Eggleston and Dr John, Ben has been playing music since the age of 16. Brought up around folk, country and bluegrass but having studied jazz, he is as at home on the jazz scene as he is on the folk scene, has released several albums of original material and has acted as collaborator and sideman to many others. Releases include 2015’s New Orleans inspired album Brass Hysteria, 2016’s The Highway Is My Home’ made with me under The Steve & Ben Somers Country Band and last year he released Live At De Melkbus – a live bluegrass album, recorded with his string band. Ben tours constantly with credits including Seal, Taylor Swift, Dr John, Bruce Molsky, Darol Anger and more.
Wesley Gibbens
Wesley Gibbens
Wesley Gibbens
This is Wes, he is the rock on which we build. He is the producer, mixing and mastering engineer and drummer/percussionist on my album.
His tempo is solid yet interesting, as is his personality. He also records and produces my songs with care, understanding and strong vision for the end result that is
Steve Somers.
Wesley moved to London from South Africa in 2005 upon which he joined and formed the Darius Brubeck Quartet recording five albums to date alongside extensive worldwide tours with the quartet. Wesley’s South African roots earned him a place as drummer for UK based African musicians Netsayi, SA Gospel Singers, Afla Sackey and the late Lucky Ranku and Pinise Saul and he has gained an international profile in Jazz and African music through touring and recording with these artists.
Wesley studied Brazilian and African music under Barak Schmool as part of the F-ire Collective between 2007 -2014.
Wesley also tours and has recorded with British New Orleans/Blues piano player TJ Johnson.
The balance of his time is spent recording and mixing in his studio producing albums for his personal project “Euphorials” under the F-ire label.
Album releases include:
Darius Brubeck Quartet - For Lydia and the Lion 2008, Two and Four/To and Fro 2008, Cathy’s Summer 2010, Years Ago 2016, Live in Poland 2019
Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu – Life On the Street 2014
Victoria Hume – Limbs & Digits 2009, Landing 2012
TJ Johnson – Songs from the Jazz Country 2019
Euphorials – Euphorials Vol. 1: Konstance 2020, Euphorials Vol. 2:Disposable Values 2020
The Steve & Ben Somers Country Band – We Did It for the Stories 2019
Rob Updegraff
Wesley Gibbens
Rob Updegraff
This is Rob, to describe Rob as just a guitarist is wrong. He has played for the top artists from the Jazz/ pop and country world. What Rob brings to my music is pure genius, he takes a simple song and turns it into something else with his sensitive and gifted performance
Rob studied Jazz/Classical guitar and composition at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Musical experience has covered pop, rock, soul, jazz, blues, country and African styles. This year he has been performing and recording with Sony artist Alani featuring an appearance on Later with Jools Holland and TV and radio performances in France and England and live European dates. He recently played on Jamie Cullumâ's latest album alongside Gregory Porter and Laura Mvula. In the last few years performances have ranged from Ronnie Scottâ's Jazz Club to a Tour of Japan, with European festival appearances including performances with American blues singer Earl Thomas and with the Metersâ's™ legendary funk drummer Zigaboo Modeliste. Alongside this Rob has played with some of Britainâ's top Jazz musicians including Stan Sulzmann, Jean Toussaint and Martin France amongst others. Recent radio play includes: BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale Sessions, BBC Radio 3 BBC 6 Music, Radio France.
The last few years have seen him touring extensively with Beth Rowley and MOBO nominated artist Julia Biel amongst many others. He has also been performing and recording with Sony artist Ala.ni, featured on BBC2’s Later with Jools Holland, with TV and radio broadcasts in France and England, and concerts in Europe and North America.