U of Soul is a band and production company featuring the singing, songwriting and keyboards of RJ Ross.
Over a long career on stage and in studios, RJ Ross, a.k.a. Professor RJ Ross, always followed his own course—in pursuit of new musical worlds.
“It was always my goal to invent something new—not to merely work within existing styles. I wanted to use elements of the many genres of music I loved, and see if I could synthesize them into something new and surprising.”
“I wondered, in an age of algorithms, is it possible…”
“When I began work on U of Soul’s latest productions, I wondered, in an age of algorithms, is it possible to create a music that stands out as original and authentic?
We asked ourselves, could we create something that was simple and yet sophisticated?
Something that had the exciting dance rhythms and uplifting melodies of Pop, but was also informed by the long history of great American Jazz?
Could we create a music that’s easy and fun but also draws on the knowledge of the incomparable European and American Classical composers?”
Since the songs started to be released over the last year, U of Soul has received over 5 million views on YouTube, and millions more on other platforms.
“In my long career as a professional musician, I’ve never seen anything like the response to this music—young, old, white, black, hispanic, asian, male, female, ordinary people, and the highest level music professionals are blown away by it. The level of enthusiasm expressed in the hundreds and hundreds of messages we receive from all around the world is simply jaw-dropping.”
Since the songs started to be released over the last 7 or 8 months, U of Soul, has received over 5 million views on YouTube, and millions more on other platforms…
“In my long career as a professional musician, I’ve never seen anything like the response to this music—young, old, white, black, hispanic, asian, male, female, ordinary people, and the highest level music professionals are all blown away by it. The level of enthusiasm expressed in the hundreds and hundreds of messages we receive from all around the world is simply jaw-dropping.”
The Songs
A Musician’s Life
“I grew up in Detroit, when it was the global center of automobile production. I loved the glamorous cars—the Thunderbirds, the Cadillacs, the Lincoln Continentals. But I was even more impressed by the music I heard every day on the radio.”
“The first time I heard the music of Little Richard.”
Credits
Thoughts on Music
Contact
At present, U of Soul is focused entirely on studio production—putting the final touches on some exciting new material.
But they are also working hard to finish an amazing new video soundstage designed by animator, Jerry Van De Beek. Once the new soundstage is up and running, U of Soul will begin releasing a series of live video performances.
We would love to hear from you: