Heart & Soul is an expandable band. It’s not only important to provide the right music, but in these times, size does matter. The band consists of two, three, five, or eight musicians, dependant upon the requirement.

The nucleus of the band is Mal Barnes and Danielle Nobrega. As a two piece, Heart and Soul uses sequenced bass and drums while Mal provides guitar and vocals and Danielle provides piano and vocals. They add a percussionist for the three piece band, add a bass player and drummer to make five, and Tenor Sax, Alto Sax and Trumpet takes it to an eight piece.

The original intention was to keep the repertoire along the “soul” and “R&B” lines, but those lines have faded a little as requests pour in. The song list is still a collection of favourites and it is doubtful that any song would not be instantly recognisable, if not by name, then certainly when you hear it.

But Heart & Soul do try very hard to play different songs. One of the problems with the introduction of sequencing about ten years ago is that so many bands and duos now sound the same and are even doing the same songs. But Heart & Soul’s method must be working … the most often heard comment is “we love your choice of songs”.

Danielle is originally from Johannesburg in South Africa and has played in original and cover bands since she was 15. Her smooth and tasteful piano playing suits the band’s soulful sound and her voice works comfortably in everything from the smooth piano bar style of Dianna Krall and Norah Jones to the solid R&B of Aretha Franklin and to punchy commercial material.

Mal comes to Sydney from Queensland’s Gold Coast and is a product of touring cover bands. Mal started playing in original bands, moved through to touring show bands, then for a short time, cabaret shows. Mal plays guitar and sings in Heart & Soul.

“Playing and singing is what we do … for work … for fun … for fulfilment!” Heart & Soul play what suits the environment and adjusts the repertoire accordingly.