Grant Harrison

Grant Harrison,  a newcomer on the music scene, it’s hard to tell music wasn’t his first love. With a knack for songwriting and performing that can’t be taught, this young singer/ songwriter is creating a buzz around Houston and he’s humble enough to not even realize it.

Starting out by drumming on pots and pans as a 3-year-old (like most kids), Grant eventually moved past cookware and toy xlyophones and learned piano at a young age. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the church, he grew up watching his mother sing in the praise band and quickly added singing to his repertoire of skills. He learned to play the guitar when his sister received one for Christmas and he was able to snag it when she wasn’t looking. The ukulele and the mandolin made their way into his arsenal of instruments as well.

“Once I had access to an instrument, I couldn’t put it down,” Grant recalls. “I took up percussion in school and at 12, I joined the praise band at my church.”

As his appreciation for music and instrumentation grew,
“Songwriting became such a passion that it overruled any ability to pay attention in class,” he said. “All I wanted to do was write. I would sit in class and hear the music as the lyrics came to me. I couldn’t get to my guitar fast enough.”

As a fresh face on the scene, Grant is in the enviable position to march to the beat of his own drum. Influences include the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire and Chicago while whispered comparisons to Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars and John Mayer abound as he performs. But, Grant is determined to be as unique as possible.

“What can I say? I love music. I love God. That's what Grant Harrison is all about.

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JazzBoy- The Coast Radio

Dino Fiumara  Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA Dino has been exposed to a rich environment of music, art and theater since as a child. At the Conservatory of Naples Italy, this is where Dino began his early piano instruction. Dino learned everything from his Grandmother and Father's endless talents and wisdom. At West Virginia University Dino auditioned and became part of the WVU Big Band.

Performing with experiences included concerts with Vince DiMartino from the Old Tonight Show Band, and Chris Vadella, long time performer with Chuck Mangione. Continuing his education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Dino began studying Jazz and Classical Piano with David Budway, recording artist with Hubert Laws, and musical director for Jeff Tane Watts, Liza Minnelli. Dino became part of the prestigious Duquesne Big Band, which led to intense performances with the great Slide Hampton, Herbie Mann, and Tony Williams (who wanted Dino to go on the road with him, however he was too young at the time and wanted to complete his studies). This was a GREAT HONOR bestowed upon him at such an early age from one of the Legends of Jazz.
 
Dino has performed with such notable Artists as: Barbara Morrison, Dean Koba, Roger Humphrys, Marco Panascia, Stanly Turrentine, Chris Vadella,Herbi Mann, Slide Hampton, Joe Negri, Peppe Merolla, Randy Purcell, Victor Manecchia, Narding Sanchez, Scotty Hood, Stewart Loseby, Richard Brisco, Reggie Watkins, Jeri De Leon, Eddie Layman, Christy Smith, Louis Soliano, and many more....


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Kenny Garret

Kenny Garrett-is a Grammy Award-winning American post bop jazz saxophonist and flautist who gained fame in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and of Miles Davis's band. He has since pursued a critically acclaimed solo career. Most recently he joined a group of jazz musicians, The Five Peace Band.
 
Kenny Garrett was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 9, 1960; he is a 1978 graduate of Mackenzie High School. His father was a carpenter who played tenor saxophone as a hobby. Garrett's own career as a saxophonist took off when he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, then led by Duke's son, Mercer Ellington. Three years later he played in the Mel Lewis Orchestra, playing the music of Thad Jones, and also the Dannie Richmond Quartet, focusing on Charles Mingus's music.
 
In 1984, he recorded his first album as a bandleader, Introducing Kenny Garrett, on the CrissCross label. He then recorded two albums with Atlantic Records: Prisoner of Love and African Exchange Student. Garrett signed to the Warner Bros. Records label, and beginning with Black Hope, in 1992, he has continued to record with them. Among his notable recordings on Warner Bros. are Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane, recorded in 1996, and Songbook, his first album made up entirely of his own compositions, recorded in 1997 and nominated for a Grammy Award. During his career, Garrett has performed and recorded with many jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Brian Blade, Marcus Miller, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, and Mulgrew Miller.

While Garrett is best known in many circles for the five years he spent playing with Miles Davis during Miles' electric period, he states that he has become accustomed to the association: Herbie Hancock, they always mention Miles Davis, or Wayne Shorter Read More 

Joel Del Rosario

Joel Del Rosario

In the mid-90's, Joel was an intern at A&R. He played guitar in an R&B Band and helped produce. He wrote music for a small record label and studied under tutelage of Elroy Jones (Stanley Jordan) 

Calm in The Storm is one of Rosario's  best work. We expect to hear more from Joel. 

 Video for promotional use.

Kennis Jones

 Kennis  Jones,  flair for music  came at an early age where his father sang with Sam Cook and with the Wings of Faith gospel group. Kennis decided to go to California to pursue his music career. After initially spending time with members of Earth Wind and Fire, Kennis eventually got an interview with Smokey Robinson. Smokey immediately signed Kennis as a personal songwriter.

Kennis wrote many songs for Smokey, a couple of which were released, including the excellent cut “If we’re gonna act like lovers” from the Big Time soundtrack. Kennis also wrote another tune for Smokey Robinson “I’m Loving You Softly” for his Love Breeze album. Facebook

Frank Piombo and Rod Williams Band

Versatile  guitarist Frank Piombo and The Rod Williams Band performing their music from their latest cd; Sleepwalk, Pay It Forward, Grover Style, As Smooth As It Gets and Breezin. 

 

The Rod Williams band members are Rod Willaims on Sax, Bass- Pablo Claudio on Keys-Donnie Harrell Drums- Al Johnson on drums, Vibes-  Kevin Sanders and Frank Piombo on Guitar.

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Earth, Wind, and Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band that has spanned the musical genres of R&B, soul, funk, disco, jazz and rock. They are one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands of the twentieth century. Rolling Stone has described them as "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and has also declared that the band "changed the sound of black pop". Also known as EWF, the band was founded in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969. Other members have included Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, and Al McKay.

The band has received 20 Grammy nominations; they won six as a group and two of its members, Maurice White and Bailey, won separate individual awards. Earth, Wind & Fire have 12 American Music Awards nominations and four awards. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and sold over 90 million albums worldwide.  Read More

Russel Blake

Russel Blake

Mind, Body and Soul 

A tool for healing the spirit and removing the cultural barriers which divide us, by serving as mankind's universal language. Over the past 3 decades, Russel Blake has established himself as a professional musician, concert soloist, educator, and author. He carries on the musical legacy of his father, Latin musical great Alexander Blake, and his brother, world renowned jazz bassist, Alex Blake. At the foundation of all of his success is Russel’s impeccable composition, theoretical and musical arrangement skills; all of which are self-taught. 

Russel Blake currently holds over 432 pieces within his repertoire encompassing Classical, Spanish Classical, Traditional Jazz, Brazilian, Opera, Latin & Blues music idioms. He performs works from Mozart, Beethoven, Segovia, Albeniz, Cole Porter, Gershwin, Monk, Jobim, Stevie Wonder & Elton John.  Blake has earned the opportunity to accompany and record with several music giants such as Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, Hugh Masakela, Cybil Shepherd, Chaka Khan, Harry Belafonte, El Gran Combo, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and has enjoyed playing as the exclusive bassist for The Lion King, Dreamgirls, Angie Stone, Brenda Russell, Mary Mary, to name a few.

Sharon Musegrave

Musegrave born in England of Dominican parents but raised in Canada, where she has returned to live, Singer/Songwriter Sharon Musgrave shot to prominence in 1991 wishlist collaborating with William Orbit on the Bass-O-Matic project.

   They achieved international status with the hit Fascinating Rhythm (Virgin), which Sharon co-wrote. An album soon followed, cementing the groups worldwide status as a credible dance act and Sharon's ability as a writer. A world tour established Bass-O-Matic as an act that could cut it live.

Gretchen Parlato

The face of a new generation of vocalists who are challenging our perceptions." Reuben Jackson: "It´s the power of nuance... like Billie Holiday or even Miles Davis... 

Gretchen has that sublime power, where it´s like being knocked over with a muted trumpet." Steve Greenlee: "Parlato softly moans some lyrics, stretches out syllables for two and three bars, and adds wordless vocals that are more like sax solos than scat."
Now playing Weak From her In A Drea cd.  "WEAK"

Rodney E. Foster Sr.

Rodney E. Foster Sr.  Productions are influenced by Jazz, R&B and Hip-hop artists. This debut solo album reveals the sensual undercurrent that lives by his music.
Rodney's musical experiences that helped nourish his musical creativity from touring the United States he formed several R & B bands but couldn’t find members as dedicated as he was to working towards success.

Rodney has produced, arranged, and written many tracks throughout the years for other artist’s such as: Jimi Clinton, Maniac Dum Dumz, S Kay, Trick One, Alias One and many others. He likes to stay on top of all the newest technological trends in music. These innovations have allowed him to create his music on his own terms. Rodney has a catalog of well over 5000 tracks and growing. The albums, Sensual Thoughts and Maya are only the first and second offerings with several new projects to be released before the end of 2014, nw Available on cdbaby.

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Stacy Richardson Crawford

Stacey Richardson Crawford

Also known as Sarah’s Girl, is an accomplished gifted R&B vocalist who has been recognized as one of the industries best kept secrets. Cleveland, Ohio’s largest congregations, her grandfather and Pastor, the late Rev. Dr. John T. Weeden planted her on a chair in front of a microphone. Accompanied by her mother, the late Sarah Weeden Richardson, Stacey hasn’t stepped away from it since. Throughout her childhood she honed her skills by singing with various groups and choirs including her family, The Weeden Family Singers, a 50+ voice gospel choir who, when she was a teenager, recorded the critically acclaimed album “Victory Shall Be Mine”, penned by her husband, David W. Crawford.

Stacey’s style is often compared to the classic, Gladys Knight, Stacey adds a breath of fresh air to today’s music, with a timeless sound of her own. She has captivated audiences throughout the country and has had the pleasure of performing at such renowned venues as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, numerous House of Blues’ venues across the nation. 


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Mykeljon- Ukrainian Doll

Mykeljon and Groovexpress ‘Ukrainian Doll’

Smooth & Soulful – Independently released 2014 by E-Type Records.

A collaborative music project formed in 2010 out of New Zealand, Los Angeles and Australia.  A group of experienced, well-seasoned players of a caliber found only in those at the top of their game.  The instrumentation of the group is similar to what you would have seen in 1960s New York, however, that is the backbone of their flavour with a fusion of unique, smooth West Coast USA-flavoured originals and inspired interpretations of standards from such jazz legends as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Wes Montgomery and George Benson.

Mykeljon Winckel holds together the joint harmonic component with guitar.  Having studied music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Australia, he graduated as a Tone Master with an Associate Diploma in Jazz. After some years playing the Australasian scene, it was on to Los Angeles, CA for several more years, performing with such talents as Pat Kelley, Ernest Tibbs, Isaac and Trinidad Sanchez, and Andy Suzuki. Totaling over 4,500 performances in his 30-year international professional career as an artist, arranger, composer and producer, the musical flame burns in Mykeljon ever-bright: “Working in the heart of jazz country, with guys like Pat Kelley, John Ferraro, the Sanchez brothers, Rickey Grundy, etc. was a very humbling experience, one that I never thought I would ever achieve. They are such great people to work with, as are Groovexpress,” says Mykeljon.

'Haggis' Maguiness plays the harmonicas; widely regarded as one of the best harmonica players in Australasia, he is equally competent on both diatonic and chromatic harps.  His style of playing is often referred to as unique, being a blend of blues, jazz, rock, funk and soul, with shades and tones of other styles blending in to the mix to create a melting pot of unique phrasing and musical ideas. Having started his musical life as a trumpet player, Haggis has always had a different approach to the instrument; “I’m not your typical blues harp player.” Once you’ve heard Haggis play, you know you’ve witnessed something special. “I just live to make my harp swing and I’m giving it my best for whomever is listening.” says Haggis.

Isaac Sanchez, drums and percussion - has had a pair of sticks in his hands since he was 11 years old where he began playing worship services in his dad's Pentecostal church. Eager to follow his Jazz leanings, Isaac has held the drum seat for many jazz ensembles as well as vocal jazz rhythm sections.  He has freelanced, playing with a variety of groups and/or independent artists. Since that Gospel music introduction he has been fortunate to study and play a variety of styles. To this day, authenticity of style continues to be his pursuit for every project he's asked to join.  After discovering the drums, he soon moved to hand percussion. Isaac recounts that one night in his late teens a Poncho Sanchez concert absolutely pushed him over the edge! He told himself that night, "I'VE GOT TO DO THAT!", even if all he did was play a cowbell in a band like Poncho's. Since then, he has been using his hands to create music with a variety of percussion instruments.  Although that first introduction to percussion was Latin Jazz, Isaac quickly applied himself to both its traditional and modern use.  Artist’s he has played and/or recorded with Raymond Gregory, Marcus Gerakos, Hector Hermosillo, Hanz Ives, Joel Johns, Crystal Lewis, Mickeal McCool, Emily Simonian, Gabriel Velasquez, Hilary Watson, Tyrone Wells, Steve Wiggins and of course Mykeljon

Bruce Kerr, plays Electric Bass, Fretless Electric Bass, Nylon String Guitar, Steel String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar and Lap Steel Guitar in many styles.  Bruce has worked in bands and toured with Matt Monroe, Elaine Page, Tim Rice, Andy Stewart, Roger Whittaker, Michael Barrymore, Shirley Bassey, The Seattle Mens Choir, Bonnie Tyler, Leo Sayer, John Paul Young, Todd Rundgren, Roy Phillips (Peddlers), and  the Lass Vegas show “Songs in the Key of Motown”.  New Zealand artists include; Tina Cross, Suzy Lynch, Taisha, Jackie Clark, Ray Woolf, Ray Columbus, Billy T James, Sir Howard Morrison, The Yandell Sisters, Rob Guest, John Rowles, Tommy Adderly, Larry Morris, Suzanne Prentice, Frankie Stevens, Dame Malvina Major and Martin Winch.

Ernest Semu, playing piano, Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes. A graduate of Royal Schools and Trinity College, his career started at church, playing for services and choirs at 12 years of age. Out into the commercial world, he played with the Yandalls, Tina Cross, and Brent Brodie, to name a few.  Ernie went on to play with legendary band Cairo, releasing 3 singles under the CBS label – playing internationally for many years in Japan and Australia.  “Groovexpress really brings out lots of great grooves and flavours. There is a lot of talent right there, and each performance brings out more and more,” comments Ernest.

Robert Kyle, saxophone - has become known for his unique warm sound, melodic style, and his ability to harmoniously cross musical borders. His lyricism and passion are evident in whatever situation he finds himself, and he is fluid in many styles including Jazz, Blues, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, R & B and Classical. His performing and recording credits include work with Stevie Wonder, Michael Bolton, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Vince Gill, Jason Mraz, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Kenny Loggins, Brenda Russell, Lou Rawls, Della Reese, Seu Jorge, Googoosh, Cee-Lo Green, Chaka Khan, Babyface, Jessica Simpson, Billy Mitchell, Tony Guerrero and many more. He has been a featured soloist on hundreds of recordings, and has played for the Academy awards, the Emmy awards, The BET awards, The Nick & Jessica Variety Show, Lou Rawls cavalcade of stars, and many others..

 So, if you enjoy a solid groove that simply ‘jams’, then ‘Groovexpress’ is your flavor!  “The main thrust for this group is great songs, a great groove, and the cool 60s period, as that was such an influential time in the history of jazz.  However, this is been transposed by the contemporary West Coast USA fusion of Latin, rock, blues and Jazz. Within the 100% original repertoire, there are a number of tunes that will have your groove receptors pulsing! The combination of flavors that each instrument brings offers an exciting sound to work with that allows for plenty of improvisational scope,” says Mykeljon. 

Their new album ‘Ukrainian Doll’ is now released and available from;

www.Groovexpress.kiwi.nz

Coming Soon

www.iTunes.com
www.CDbaby.com

www.amazon.com

All enquiries

EMAIL - funky@Groovexpress.kiwi.nz

Join us on FACEBOOK ‘groovexpress’

Track list

01 E Type Blues

02 Pretty Little Thang

03 Mi Bella Paola

04 No Way Home

05 I Say Praise

06 Ukrainian Doll

07 High Heels

08 Tell Me Why

09 Foxy Brown

10 You Are My Fantasy

All songs composed by Mykeljon except track 06 Ukrainian Doll Mykeljon and Haggis Derek McGuiness.  APRA AMCOS

Arranged, Produced, engineered and mixed Mykeljon
Released By E Type Records (Mykeljon’s independent label)

Musician Credits
Guitars and vocals - Mykeljon
Harmonicas - Haggis McGuiness
Bass - Bruce Kerr

Keyboards, organ - Ernie Semu
Drums and Percussion - Isaac Sanchez
Saxophones - Robert Kyle