Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls were formed by Chicago-based drummer Ted Sirota in 1995. The band has released three CD's on the British label Naim, while the fourth, "Breeding Resistance", was released in February 2004 on the Delmark label. Rebel Souls have their roots in the rebellious jazz and improvised music of the 1960's but draw on myriad styles, including afro-pop, funk, reggae, ska and hip-hop, to help cultivate what The Chicago Reader has called their "immediately recognizable sound".
"Ted Sirota has put together a band that includes some of the better young musicians in Chicago who can play on both sides of the inside and outside split in jazz aesthetics...-The New York Times

Rebel Souls have been featured and/or reviewed favorably in many publications including the London Times, New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Downbeat, Jazz Times, Jazziz, The Wire, Cadence, Sterophile and many others.
Rebel Souls play frequently at Chicago's most well renowned jazz venues including the Green Mill, Empty Bottle, Hot House, 3030, Hungry Brain and others. The Rebel Souls performed at the 2003 Chicago Jazz Festival.

Although the band is based in Chicago, they have played throughout the U.S, and recently completed a 17-city tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls strive to use their music as a weapon in the battle against oppression and reactionaries worldwide, and not merely as "art for art's sake". On their latest CD, "Breeding Resistance", the band tackles the timely issues of oppression and resistance through their art. Various compositions pay tribute to fallen revolutionaries, expose current tyrants, and express hope for future generations.
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