Dedicated to
Wilbur Cole
Page updated January 17, 2023
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Contact The SoulMates:
Johnny O
612-805-9957
Wilbur
Cole
vocals & keys
As the SoulMates enter their third decade of entertaining countless fans
in the Upper Midwest, the band has gained new momentum.
This lean, mean Blues/Rock quartet's years of miles
have led to shows with many Chicago Blues giants including
James Cotton and the late Koko Taylor,
International Blues favorites Bernard Allison and Tab Benoit
as well as Rock and Roll icons Bo Diddley and Hootie and The Blowfish.
John Keefe's searing guitar work stirs Wilbur Cole's Soulful vocals
with the staunch support of Cole's keyboards,
drummer Tom Donnohue's drums and Bill Pelletier's bass
providing the bedrock Blues foundation.
The band is often joined by original member and harmonica stalwart,
"Boom Boom" Steve Vonderharr,
who adds his talents to many Blues bands in the region.
The SoulMates mean to capture their new momentum
and bring the band's engaging, high-energy show to an
ever-growing, always gracious music community.
A self-taught musician, Wilbur started playing the trumpet at the age of 8.
By age 10 he was playing keyboards. His musical background originated in church where he played spiritual and gospel music.
Other instruments include the harmonica and juice harp. Wilbur attended the Prentiss Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi, and served six years in the Army with the 82nd Airborne.
Family ties brought him to Minneapolis.
Wilbur's extensive career, which began professionally in 1960, includes backing up such performers as Diana Ross & The Supremes, Sam & Dave, Leon Hayward, Band of Thieves and Maurice & Mac, in addition to playing with some local Minneapolis-based blues groups--Maurice McKennis, The Blazers and the Excitors.
His music has been influenced by Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith and Fats Domino.
When he's not behind the keyboards, you'll likely find Wilbur behind a rod and reel on a lake, or at a table playing dominos.
"I would like for my music to expand in a way that I may be able to help my family, the elderly and handicapped," he says, "and become a good person through all my relations with my friends."
