Pictured: ALEX. Courtesy of: Karl Lewis.

Venice celebrates the sounds of soul with a Labor Day weekend appearance at the Ramada Venice Resort from vocalist and performer ALEX and his show “Soul in America.” Bringing the songs and stylings from soul music greats such as Ray Charles, James Brown and Otis Redding to the stage and accompanied by a live band of local musicians, ALEX hopes to breathe a little new life and infuse some community excitement into a genre and sound currently eclipsed in today’s pop culture.

“It’s a collaboration to celebrate these iconic performers, the innovators of soul music,” said ALEX, “and a soulful experience of some of the greatest songs ever created in the history of American music.” With James Brown’s “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” and “Georgia On My Mind” from Ray Charles certainly on the setlist, ALEX says to also expect a few surprises, but to feel free to sing along. It’s an intimate show, but family-friendly and communal in nature.

“It’s a quest, a mission and a vision to bring back soul music and people simply making music straight from the soul” said Karl Lewis, founder of Real Music, Real People, which aims to bring quality and authentic performers to regional stages. Lewis saw ALEX five years ago and knew he’d found someone special. “He’s got it,” said Lewis, emphasizing that ALEX is something much more than an impersonator. “It’s like he was carved out the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

“It’s because of our like connection in our upbringing,” explained ALEX. Like many of the soul music greats, ALEX hails from the South, where he cut his musical teeth in the gospel style, growing up in the church. “There are very few of my colleagues who have embraced the interpretation as it was once interpreted,” said ALEX, “as the music of bringing your experience to the composition.”

“You’re going to feel it,” added Lewis. “You’re going to feel like you’re sitting in a room with Otis Redding.”

“It’s my ability and willingness to embrace the fabric beyond the surface, the rawness of experience that is expressed and set to music and melody,” said ALEX. “These experiences were electrifying and that’s what I seek to bring to the stage. I’m excited to celebrate.”

ALEX and “Soul of America” appear at Ramada Venice Resort for one day only, Sep. 6, but with two showings, one at 2pm and one at 8pm.

Pictured: ALEX. Courtesy of: Karl Lewis.