Most recent influences: Eliza Gilkyson, Townes Van Zandt, Laurie Lewis and Guy Clark... Tracy Grammer, her terrific EP, "Book of Sparrows," and the amazing songs of Dave Carter.... Kate Wolf... Kim Beggs and her "Wanderer's Paen" CD... Alice Stuart and Jo Miller... Jack Williams and "Laughing in the Face of the Blues", and Michael Smith.... Jane Siberry/Issa, Jack Johnson, moby, and Leonard Cohen... Other enduring influences include Dave Van Ronk, Joni Mitchell, Tom Rush, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt... along with Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday, etc., etc... and the folks at KBCS and KEXP radio for continually introducing me to great music...
Soul Duke (aka Steve Saunders) has been playing with and for friends for years, but in recent years has ventured into the performance world to share the songs he loves with a wider audience. “I have always been drawn to songs that paint a picture, send a message, and touch the heart,” he says. “To me it is all about the songs.” His influences range from better-known artists such as Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Jack Johnson and Leonard Cohen to lesser-known but influential “under the radar” artists such as Dave Van Ronk, Kate Wolf, Jack Williams, Jane Siberry/Issa and Michael Smith. The result is an original mix of contemporary folk with a dash of Americana, delivered straight from the heart.
