Bottle fed from an early age to soothing sounds of Ray Charles and Solomon Burke, Goodrow’s tastes shifted to the fiery stylings of Jimi Hendrix in his teen age years. Continuing his musical evolution, Goodrow then went on to pursue formal studies as a jazz guitarist, but he quickly had a revelation that he was pursuing something that the cold halls of academia would never hold.

Music is about life. Music is about passion. Music is about warmth.

“It’s supposed to feel good, and nothing made me feel as good as the soul music I was raised on as a child,” Goodrow states emphatically “Soul music is feel good music by definition. When you hear old Motown classics, or even just when that rhythm hits you, you can’t help but smile. And that’s the feeling I want to bring to people with my music.”

Now a rhythm and blues convert, Goodrow has returned to his soul roots, and with the fresh perspective that life’s experience brings, he has made it new again. Brand New Soul.

In recent years, an ever expanding fan base has led the EGB to tirelessly tour the Northeast, branching out from the Boston area where he began his musical career. But no matter where they are playing, on any given night the EGB can be found transporting fans from Preservation Hall New Orleans, to the crossroads of delta blues, to a full out Philadelphia funk festival. One fan recently likened the EGB to “a case-study in musical diversity.”

Phil Antoniades

As a young’n, Bay Area transplant Phil Antoniades, took the early influences of Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire plus the inevitable draw of San Francisco Jazz. After a tour of Japan, Phil bagged a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music and began a long and convoluted trip through gigs with punk bands, singer songwriters, pop rock posers, wedding bands, 3 years of primarily playing a Rolling Rock beer case, sinking as low as the Spirit of Boston lunch cruise and flying as high as opening for the Spin Doctors and Van Halen. Touring around the world and across the country way to many times brought Phil home to the edgy Funk of EGB. “The funky grooves, varied dynamics, lots of improv plus new surprise every night makes performing with EGB my favorite space to be.”

Phil’s equipment includes 1963 Sonar drums, a DW Craviato Snare, Custom tambourine floor tom, the crappiest hi-hat cymbals he could find, a beautiful K Ride, Paiste Crash and whatever 5B sticks happen to be on sale.

John Cooke

If you were to take the screaming organ of Jimmy McGriff, the soul of Ray Charles, and the groove of Neal Evans and John Medeski, and pack it into the energy and fire of Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Hendrix you might get John Cooke. Specializing in Hammond B-3, Piano and Rhodes, or “just about anything with ebonies and ivories,” he plays with a fiery energy that captivates audiences. An inventive songwriter, an animated and talented performer, and just an affable guy, John can quickly light up any stage.

John brings an incredible change to the sound of the band. Along with the classic funky organ sound, now there is that deep low thump of organ bass. It’s not surprising for people to be looking for a bass player hiding in his Leslie* (the rotary horn speaker that spins right behind him all night long).

*And he absolutely loves being asked questions about his equipment, so buy him a drink and go ahead, “fire away.”