Catch The Groove

“High Energy Sensual & Soulful Magic”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Catch The Groove is a National Billboard Recording Artist based out of Saint Augustine FL offering the sounds of Contemporary Jazz & Blues with a twist of Latin.

BIO

A few years ago, as a funked-up, multi-faceted smooth urban jazz vibe was taking hold of his emerging Jacksonville, FL ensemble, guitarist and group founder Ellis White and his band mates were working on tunes to incorporate into their live set. One day during rehearsal, White called out, “Hey, did you Catch That Groove I just did?” That phrase became the perfect moniker for the freewheeling, high octane, rhythm driven band.

As Catch The Groove builds its reputation in their home base region and beyond, genre fans seeking fresh sounds are gravitating towards the group’s uniquely democratic structure – where each musician has an alternating lead voice and they cleverly pair two instruments at the same time (sax/trumpet, guitar/sax, guitar/trumpet, sax/keyboard, etc.) to create richly textured lead melodies and harmony lines. The group recently released their eclectic, infectious debut album Smilin' In Paradise, which starts off strong with the guitar driven, old school funk/soul/jazz track “Shaken Not Stirred,” composed and produced by #1 smooth jazz hit maker artist Nils.

Catch The Groove’s diversity is fueled by the unique geographic origins, professional backgrounds, stylistic leanings and the expertise of its members.

MUSIC REVIEW - Jonathan Widran

Catch The Groove’s debut EP Smilin’ In Paradise, is full of cherry-picked tracks that the band recorded to reflect all the high energy, sensual and soulful magic they’re known for on stage. Guitarist/Producer, Nils wrote and produced their first single, “Shaken Not Stirred” - an infectious old school soul-jazz tune which features funky old school horns (creating a buoyant, classic Stevie Wonder-like vibe) and crisp, tight electric guitar.

Dig a little deeper and Catch The Groove turns on the candlelight for “When I See Your Smile”, an elegant and atmospheric keyboard and passionate sax driven ballad with an easy crunching groove. “She’s My Groove” eases from a raw distorted percussive industrial vibe with dark toned moodiness into a bright blast of bass fired fusion. The groove intensive “Paradise” is a whimsical musical joy showcasing the powerhouse playing of each member with the flavor of the Islands. Beginning life as an older piece “Bolero De Funk” is a lively, tight funk jam with Latin overtones – including a tasteful electric guitar solo.

“While most emerging bands in the smooth urban jazz realm, thinking “simpler” will translate to more immediate airplay, play it close to the vest and in the pocket with a singular identifiable sound, Jacksonville’s wild and freewheeling Catch The Groove spreads the jamming melodic joy around. Refreshingly, each member gets ample lead time and solo spotlights, creating a diverse, high-octane vibe that draws from the many genres comprising the members’ musical backgrounds. The result is an exciting fusion of urban, rock, funk, R&B and blues that transcends the predictable nature of so much of the genre’s music. With Nils in their camp now, and some spectacular composing and production of their own, they will soon be more than a North Florida phenomenon. Everybody needs to Catch the Groove!” - Jonathan Widran

ON STAGE
Catch The Groove has been a popular draw at such hot spots as Jazzland Café, Breezy Jazz Club and the stage at the downtown venue Jacksonville Landing (on the river), where they perform regularly. Expanding their regional drawing power, they have performed at the beautiful St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Jazz In The Bay Festival In Tampa, Daytona Music Festival, Atlantic Beach Jazz Festival, Sing Out Loud Festival among many others along the East Coast.

Their democratic approach to performing is in full effect during Catch The Groove’s explosive live shows, where each member’s talent and energy is on display via prominent lead lines, solos and tandem melodies with other members. Some songs begin with the rhythm section jamming before Michael comes in on sax for a few solo bars before Max begins doubling with him and the rest of the band kicks in. The variety and unexpected surprises are part of the fun and appeal. Some of the cover tunes that go over well with audiences include Rick Braun & Richard Elliot’s “Q It Up”, Ronnie Laws’ “Always There”, George Duke’s “It’s On” and “Secret Garden”, with different instruments mimicking the vocals of the original Quincy Jones version that featured Barry White, James Ingram, Al B. Sure and El Debarge.