The "Soundmine" Merchants Variety Band from Chicago, IL

The "Soundmine" Merchants was founded as the Merchants in the 1960s by Mr. Roland Brown and has been under the direction of Gerard Matthews since 2008. This multifaceted variety band composed of men and women, is equipped to deliver a riveting music performance for any and all musical occasions from private & corporate events, to huge open air concerts. The group is steeped in the American musical experience from the Blues and Traditional Jazz, to Rock & Roll, R&B and Smooth Jazz. The band is prepared deliver anything from an 18 piece full ensemble with vocalist to any size combo of your choosing. Over the years, the group has toured in a number of cities tracing jazz' origins and mainstays, along the Mississippi River including New Orleans, Kansas City and Memphis, as well as in venues all around the Chicagoland area including historical ballrooms hotels, and park districts, like the South Shore Cultural Center, The Kehrein Center and area festivals including the African Festival. During the Covid years, the group produced live stream concerts featuring the music of Johnny Pate, who composed music for the shaft television series, and American composers of Jewish heritage, music honoring Women's History month and the R&B branch of Jazz. The "Soundmine" Merchants lives to deliver a wonderful uplifting and memorable musical experience to enhance your event.