Little Jake Mitchell is returning to the Side Door after two sold-out shows that had our audiences singing, swaying and clapping along. He’s bringing back the Soul Searchers, a big band that now includes guitar, bass, two drummers, grand piano, Hammond B3, a full horn section and some surprise guests. We’re adding a section to our stage to hold the band!!
The show is Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information you can call our box office at 727-822-3590 or follow this link for online tickets.
Little Jake is originally from Tampa but now lives in Gainesville. I discovered him when I read John Capouya’s book Florida Soul. It chronicles the contributions of Florida performers during the soul era including Ray Charles, Latimore, Sam and Dave and lots of others. The book includes a section on Frankie Gearing, a St. Pete based soul singer who had a stellar career touring the country with major soul stars. Frankie join Jake at this show for a number or two.
Jake with the Soul Searchers
John Capouya will be introducing the Little Jake show and will have some books for sale.He generously agree to let me use an excerpt from his book that talks about Little Jake Mitchell.
From Florida Soul by John Capouya:
Jake Mitchell isn’t a big man, but his size isn’t what earned him his stage name, Little Jake. That was due to his precocious musical beginnings. Growing up in West Tampa and Ybor City, Mitchell says he became a touring professional at “12, going on 13.” Before that an even younger Mitchell won talent shows sponsored by the Holsum Bread Company: “Yeah, ” he laughs. “You won loaves of bread!”
Little Jake
After hearing him sing at one Tampa gig, blues legend B.B. King took Jake on the road with him, along with a tutor. Later, Mitchell toured the U.S. with the variety show “Harlem in Havana.” Over the years, this Tampa-based all-black revue also featured comedian Redd Foxx and singers Rufus Thomas (“Walking the Dog”); Fontella Bass (“Rescue Me”); and Chuck Berry.
He recorded as Jock Mitchell for the Detroit label Impact Records in 1967, and on his own label, Golden Hit Productions. His best-known song and the title track of his 2016 CD with his current band, the Soul Searchers, is 1967’s “Not A Chance In A Million,” building to a propulsive horn-driven climax and vocal vamp.
Mitchell’s lived in Gainesville for decades, where–still very young–he made history in another realm: race. in the realm of race. His group, Little Jake and the Blenders played University of Florida fraternity and sorority parties and in 1960, they performed at the annual homecoming rally, the Gator Growl. “We integrated it,” says Mitchell, “I was the first black artist to ever appear.”
Jake was 16. On the 50th anniversary of that event, the Gainesville City Council proclaimed it Little Jake Mitchell Day.
Little Jake Mitchell has been and remains an important part of the Florida soul story, part of the connective tissue that binds this music and the people who created it. A master entertainer, he’s still shouting out his signature question–more of an exhortation–from Florida stages and beyond.
“YOU KNOW WHAT?!”’ he demands.
And the thrilled listeners and dancers yell back: “WHAT!!??”’
Little Jake and Frankie Gearing
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