Ghetto Xpress

Kingston's soul, funk and R&B supergroup!

The Ghetto Xpress was formed in October of the year 2000, in response for the need of a new house band at The Toucan on Monday nights, a gig previously occupied by Kingston blues stalwarts Blue Monday for the previous two-and-a-half years.

Blue Monday members Zak Colbert and Mike Sakell decided to continue on with a different band and a change of concept, forming Ghetto Xpress with keyboard wizard Spencer Evans, and the addition of a fresh new face on guitar, James Taylor. The original repertoire focused heavily on the sounds of Motown, and classic R&B, but with the addition of Jonathan Stewart, a.k.a. “Bunny” on tenor saxophone, the band took a decidedly more funky New Orleans type approach.

Zak and James eventually left the band to be replaced by Zak's young protege, Alec Barken, on bass, and Mark Taras on guitar, and that has been the lineup for the last eight years.

Known for sharing the stage with musical friends who drop by now and then, many touring acts with a night off in Kingston, manage to find their way to the stage and sit in with the band. Some of the notable ones include, Colin James, the Blue man group band, Sarah Harmer, Ryan Lewis, and members of Trooper to name just a few. You never know who's going to show up when Ghetto Xpress hits the stage.

On March 5, 2022, Ghetto Xpress played the first live music performance at Furnace Falls Farm music venue north of Kingston, as part of their grand opening Mardi Party Gras event.

Ghetto Xpress is considered a must-see Kingston musical act, so watch the live music listings and be sure to get out and see them—or sit in with them—and remember to keep on truckin’.