Old NasSoul
Old NasSoul | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Old Nass |
| Origin | Princeton, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, A cappella |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Website | https://www.nassoul.com |
| Members |
|
Old NasSoul (often styled Old NasSoul or Old Nassoul) is a low-voice R&B and soul a cappella group based at Princeton University. Founded in November 2006, the group performs arrangements of classic and contemporary R&B and soul, releases recordings on major streaming platforms, and tours regionally and internationally.[1][2]
History
Old NasSoul was founded in November 2006, when Christopher Inniss (class of 2009) assembled a group of friends to perform an arrangement of "End of the Road," by Boyz II Men, for a campus talent show. The group held its first formal auditions in Fall 2007 and expanded from an initial small ensemble to roughly 10–20 members in subsequent years.[2]
Additional background and personnel on early leadership is corroborated in an independent profile of student contributors; for example, a campus entrepreneurship blog lists a former music director affiliated with Old NasSoul.[3]
In its early years Old NasSoul established itself as Princeton's principal student ensemble dedicated to R&B and soul repertoire, regularly performing at campus events (including Blair Arch sings and Reunions) and organizing tours across the United States and abroad.[1][4]
Musical style and repertoire
Old NasSoul's repertoire spans classic soul (Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye) to contemporary R&B and alternative soul (Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar). Arrangements are primarily written by current and former members. Their performance style emphasizes tight low-voice harmonies and solo features typical of R&B and soul traditions. Example selections from their active repertoire include "A Change Is Gonna Come", "Love's in Need of Love Today", "Stand By Me", and contemporary covers such as Frank Ocean's "Pink + White".[5]
Several outside arrangers and collaborators have worked with the group; for example, a professional choral/arranging biography credits recent arrangements written for Old NasSoul.[6]
Tours and performances
The group tours regularly during academic breaks; noted past tour destinations include the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Puerto Rico (San Juan), Paris, Barcelona, and several major U.S. cities. Old NasSoul performs at campus events (Blair Arch sings, Reunions) and community outreach events.[2][1]
- The group regularly performs at university-wide a cappella events; for example, event listings for campus groups place Old NasSoul on the bill for combined Low Show performances with other Princeton ensembles.[7]
- Old NasSoul has also been scheduled for alumni and reunion arch sings during Princeton Reunions, as noted in regional alumni/event guides.[8]
Recordings
Old NasSoul releases recordings and singles on major streaming services. Releases include the album All Aboard (2016), the 2024 album For the Archives..., the Soul Session EP (2024), and singles such as "All My Life" (2022), "Same Drugs" (2024) and "Thank You" (2024).[9][10]
Organization and membership
Although the group was historically described as a low-voice (traditionally all-male) ensemble, auditions for the group are open to all Princeton students. The group is divided into four voice-parts: bass, baritone, tenor I, and tenor II. The ensemble rehearses regularly on campus and maintains alumni engagement for concerts and reunions.[11][1]
(Old NasSoul members have engaged with local music and civic programs; for example, a community music network lists an Old NasSoul member among student leaders participating in outreach projects.)[12]
Reception and independent coverage
Old NasSoul has been featured in several independent media outlets for its performances, outreach, and campus impact:
- In February 2022, the community newspaper Town Topics reported on Old NasSoul’s participation in the Princeton Sing-Off at McCarter Theatre, identifying the group as one of eight ensembles selected for the showcase.[13]
- The Princeton Alumni Weekly (PAW) covered the 2022 Princeton Sing-Off and included Old NasSoul among the participating ensembles, providing independent alumni-facing coverage of the campus event.[14]
- In October 2024, the Newman School in Boston documented Old NasSoul’s touring and outreach visit, noting that group members both performed and spoke with students about college life.[15]
- In January 2025, the Vanguard (Buckingham Browne & Nichols School student paper) published a feature on Old NasSoul's performance at the school, quoting members about the group’s origins and musical mission.[16]
- Event and local coverage and guides (including regional outlets and alumni event listings) have also noted Old NasSoul's participation in Reunions and arch sings, which corroborates the group's ongoing campus presence.[17]
- Additional independent mentions and performance highlights appear in alumni and community arts pages documenting campus a cappella activity and outreach.[18]
- In 2014, the New York Post highlighted Old NasSoul in a profile of Princeton football player Caraun Reid, emphasizing the group’s role as "Princeton’s only all-male a cappella group devoted to soul music."[19]
Notable members
Discography
- All Aboard (2016). [20]
- For the Archives (2024). [20]
- Soul Session (EP) (2024). [20]
- Singles: "All My Life" (2022), "Same Drugs" (2024) and "Thank You" (2024). [21][20]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Old NasSoul official website Archived 2025-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Old NasSoul". Princetoniana Museum. Archived from the original on 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2025-09-02. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Ineur — About (mention of Old NasSoul Music Director)
- ↑ Princeton University News — A tradition of voice: A cappella at Princeton Archived 2021-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Music — Old NasSoul repertoire and album notes Archived 2025-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Kaarin Record — Curriculum vitae & repertoire (arrangements credited to Old NasSoul)
- ↑ Princeton Footnotes — The Low Show (mentions Old NasSoul at Low Show) Archived 2025-01-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Planet Princeton — Reunions guide (Old NasSoul alumni arch sing listed) Archived 2025-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Old NasSoul — Apple Music
- ↑ Old NasSoul — Spotify Archived 2025-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Old NasSoul — Princeton University pages Archived 2025-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Humans in Harmony — staff and student network (Old NasSoul member referenced) Archived 2024-09-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Princeton University A Cappella Groups to Appear at McCarter for Sing-Off". Town Topics. February 9, 2022.
- ↑ "Student A Cappella Groups Come Together for the Princeton Sing-Off". Princeton Alumni Weekly. March 25, 2022. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Princeton A Cappella Group Visits Newman". The Newman School. October 2024. Archived from the original on 2025-04-26. Retrieved 2025-09-03. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Princeton a cappella group serenades Upper School audience". Vanguard. January 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-09-03. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Locals guide to Princeton University 2023 alumni reunion and graduation events". Planet Princeton. May 22, 2023. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Princeton Arts Alumni — performance highlight
- ↑ "Princeton draft prospect a stud DT, a singer and a teacher". 2014-05-03. Archived from the original on 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2025-09-04. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedapple_music4 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedspotify3
External links
- Official website Archived 2025-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
- Spotify — Old NasSoul Archived 2025-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Old NasSoul on YouTube Archived 2023-02-20 at the Wayback Machine
- Instagram — Old NasSoul
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