We recently connected with Willie Soul and have shared our conversation below.

Willie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When Willie Soul thinks back to the first time he knew he wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally, he was actually 3 years old and his mom would take hear the bands at the venue the former Jacksonville Landing with his fisher price toy drum.  As he was playing along with the bands, it was a great feeling when others in attendance would start laying money near him for his high entertainment playing my fisher price toy drum. Then, while Soul was in middle school LaVilla School of the Arts, after playing the guitar in the school concerts, those in attendance would come up to Soul and say, “you’re going to be famous one day can I have your autograph?”
Overtime, Soul learned his creative purpose is to spread his gift throughout the world of performing music to make other happy along with himself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Soul has been playing guitar since the young age of 7. Hailing from both schools of the arts in Jacksonville FL (LaVilla School of the Arts and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts).  Soul’s skills were honed into the artist he is today from attending Douglas Anderson School of the Arts guitar program. Soul is an Alum of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.  After graduating, Soul went on to further his musical skills and garnered musical performance while attending Berklee College in Boston, MA.

Soul gravitated to radio ear candy such as long-time friend and mentor Nick Colionne, George Benson, and his local church musicians.  The young prodigy also soaked up music from Wes Montgomery, Grover Washington, Jr., Marvin Gay, Aretha Franklin, Prince and Parliament Funkadelic. Soul says that “He just want to play anything that feels good.”  Soul worked with experts like Lee Ritenour, Dwizell Zappa and George Benson to develop his own sound and immediately started his own band; one based in Boston, MA and the other in Florida.
Soul has his own style of vibe and energy of playing the guitar now at the age of 27. Those who want to be entertained with R&B, Old School, Blues and Jazz keeps him busy with performance shows through-out the year from coast to coast.

Like all great people, Soul always finds ways of giving back to his
community. Soul regularly conducts clinics for other under privileged youth
to provide musical education and enlightenment. Also, Soul collects toys
for a toy give-away during the Christmas holiday.
In addition to his congenial disposition Soul has managed to build a resume
that supersedes most of my contemporaries.

*Jacksonville Jazz Festival
*Darryl’s Corner
*Harvard University
*Orlando Jazz Festival
*University of Massachusetts
*Boston College
* Crown of the Continent Guitar Fest, Big Fork, MT
* Jacksonville Beach Jazz Fest
*Florida Theater
*Scullers Jazz Club
*March/April 2015 Featured Artist- Jacksonville Arts &; Business Magazine Featured Artist
– TV4 News WJXT
*2015 Love, Peace & Harmony Tour
*2021 Jazz With A Twist Tour

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is changing and affecting lives by way of performing or recording my original music. Also, hearing the
accolades of his peers is enlightening and gives me the mental boost
needed as an artist.
A particular quote from one of his mentors, Mike Stern (16x Grammy
Nominee), “He is a beautiful guitar player with a lot of natural talent, very
soulful. I really dig his playing and I can feel he is going to be doing
[playing] this his whole life.

And from the late Nick Colionne (Billboard charting jazz artist), “I was
impressed with him from the beginning when I heard him play the guitar.
His approach to the guitar and his musical vocabulary is vast for his age.
There are a lot of young guitarists coming out, but I think Soul has the thing
that it takes to go all the way and be a real force in whatever genre he
decides he wants to play. Soul has the ability to play a lot of different
styles…he will not be stuck in one thing because he has the chops to
crossover and adapt to whatever he situation. Soul has the juice – the stuff
which make the greats.”

A few highlights of Soul’s career as an artist are:

Played along side Mike Stern (16x Grammy-Nominee)

Played along side Smooth Jazz Guitarist (late) Nick Colionne

Played along side Smooth Jazz Saxophonist Elan Trotman

Jacksonville Jazz Festival/Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival/Florida
Theater/ Scullers Jazz Club

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Soul believes non creatives struggle to understand the mindset and the thinking of a creative . As an artist Soul is constantly thinking, analyzing
and figuring things out whether it’s musically or business wise. It never
stops. Even while Soul is sleeping. Visions, ideas, and songs constantly
critiquing ways to get better. Looking for ways to stay relevant. But, at the
same time, not being to hard on himself which is naturally for Soul to do.
Soul thinks as a creative, he always looking for things to be perfect. But
that’s not always the reality. As Soul’s manager Frank always says,
“everything doesn’t always go according to plans.” Being a creative is a
24/7 hustle. There is no time off. Every moment every second counts for
success. Always creating music and bringing ideas to reality which is
recording & performing. There is an old saying which I stand by, “Time
waits on no one.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Williesoulmusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealwilliesoul/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/williesoulmusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/williesoulmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WillieSoul

Image Credits
Blue Franswa Joshua Alexander Rd Multimedia Casey Williams