'Destination Motown' With The Sensational Soul Cruisers

One of Jersey’s best kept secrets and the longtime favorite house band at New York City’s famed Copacabana, the Sensational Soul Cruisers perform their show “Destination Motown” at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) on Saturday, December 28, at 8 p.m.

The Sensational Soul Cruisers are not just another 11-man vocal harmony group with horns. Under the tutelage of legendary Jersey Shore sax player Screamin’ Steve Barlotta, who has been the captain of this group for more than 20 years, the band has gone from the recesses of a dingy basement to more than 200 performances a year while capturing the true essence of the Jersey Shore sound and its true R&B roots. In their “Destination Motown” show, the band delivers the greatest hits of the Temptations, the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and many others.

In addition to Barlotta on tenor sax, the line-up includes Stan Tartas on bass guitar, Sir Michael Winstanley on keyboards, drummer Matt Curran, Steve Hyde on trumpet, Joe Nappy on guitar and vocals, Pete Maurer on trombone, and vocalists Will Williams, Michael Hartsfield, Taj Jay and Angel Casado.

Many national artists have been guests at Soul Cruisers shows, including Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, John Eddie, Southside Johnny, and so many more. As a side note, in the movie “Eddie and the Cruisers,” the Soul Cruisers rhythm section was the band behind Eddie Testa.

Tickets for “Destination Motown” featuring the Sensational Soul Cruisers are $55 at whbpac.org. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is at 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. Call 631-288-1500 for more information.