The "Pillars of Soul" horn section

Dave Lucado
Trombone

The year was 1966. . . a young, bespectacled kid from the mountains of Virginia picked-up his first horn -- a used $75.00 Conn Trombone. And, the rest is history. . .

In the early 70's, Dave balanced his musical talents between local and regional projects around the "Star City of the South." While at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Va., he performed with the nationally acclaimed Patriots Jazz Band on lead "88" Trombone. Soon thereafter, his skills pulled him into a new and exciting project with the "Mack Gollehon Modern Be-Bop Band."

This young man -- with his phunky t-bone by his side -- was making quite a name for himself. As national recording acts toured through Southwest Virginia, Dave was invited time and again to sit-in. . . including limited engagements with jazz superstars Clark Terry, Bill Chase, and Maynard Ferguson.

Then came "The Tough Decision." Would Dave go onto the world renowned Berkeley School of Music in Boston or stay near his roots in Virginia? Dave selected to follow his older brother to Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. The course of history turned that day. . .

At VMI, Dave was a featured artist in the "Commanders Swing Band". While most of the shows were tailored towards alumni events and local events, they did perform a once-in-a-lifetime engagement with the legendary Four Tops.

Two decades later, Dave has emerged from oblivion. Definitely a little older and grayer, but he is whaling on that t-bone better than ever. This time, however, he is the foundation of the powerful three-piece "Pillars of Soul" horns and a member in good standing of SoulerCoaster.

Mark Ingraham
Trumpet

Mark Ingraham has quickly become one of the most sought after musicians in Virginia. He performs regularly in the Richmond area and along the East Coast with several groups including SoulerCoaster. 

Mark graduated in 2004 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Jazz Trumpet Performance with concentration in composition and arranging. In 2003 and 2004 he was a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition placing third in the Jazz Division in 2003. 

Mark has been featured on over 18 albums, and his musical endeavors have allowed him to perform in four different countries. He has performed with music greats such as Tony Award winner Savion Glover, Grammy Award winner Brian Lynch, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Mulgrew Miller, Steve Wilson, Matt Wilson, Steve Lacy and Herb Pommeroy. He has also had the pleasure to share the stage with John Legend, Fantasia Barrino, the O'Jays, Buddy Guy, Michael McDonald, Jeffrey Osborne, the Dave Mathews Band, Chuck Mangione, Boney James, Slick Rick and Parliament Funkadelic. 

Richmond Magazine chose him as one of 10 band leaders to watch out for in 2009. Mark is currently in the studio working on the debut album for his nine piece funk/soul band, Beast Wellington. 

Tommy Daughtrey
Saxophone

A native of Richmond, Va., Tommy Daughtrey began his musical career with the Manchester High School Jazz and Swing Ensemble. During his college days at Virginia Tech, Tommy studied under Dr. Russer -- a renowned music scholar and saxophone educator.

Returning home to Richmond in the mid-80's, he joined the Richmond Pops Band playing on Alto, Tenor, and Bari Sax. Later in the "decade of greed", he sharpened his skills as a popular jazz sideman as well as performing with regional R&B acts in Virginia.

However, for Tommy, the "big show" called his name in late '88, and he began touring coast-to-coast with an alternative, cutting-edge band - Love Tractor. The success of Love Tractor led Tommy to Athens, Ga -- the hotbed of the new alternative music scene sweeping across America's college campuses. . . Touring with acts like the "B-52"s, "REM", and "Widespread Panic". . . Love Tractor was on a roll.

In 1992, Tommy moved onto newer projects. Over the next few years, he broadened his musical base playing with groups such as the nationally acclaimed "Armando Ortega Orchestra", "The Black Label Orchestra", "The Max Fine Jazz Quartet", and the ever phunky "Thunder Whamper" . . . as well as a stint as lead sax-man on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Western Caribbean tour.

In the late '90's, Tommy was back in Richmond pursuing new music opportunities. In 1998, SoulerCoaster welcomed him into the band on tenor sax. . . now, Tommy is the backbone of the powerful three piece "Pillars of Soul" horns section.