What’s Going On?

This year, I had the privilege of listening to Groove8 once again for two performances. They came back to California, but with a name change. Formerly known as Audioform, Groove8 has been able to bring back funk and soul to the western United States. The group is mainly comprised of eight members from Charlotte, North Carolina and a couple from other areas on the east coast. Every year they come together to bring something special to the Fillmore Jazz Festival; this year it was a third CD in the three years that I’ve known them (they’ve been at the festival for 4 years).

After performing in front of the Marcus Bookstore (one the oldest independent Black bookstores in the U.S.) on Fillmore and Post Streets, Peter Fitzsimmons asked Groove8 if they  would perform at the Jazz Heritage Center and they accepted. The Jazz Heritage Center is located inside of the same building as Yoshi’s on the corner of Eddy and Fillmore Sts. The great thing about the Jazz Heritage Center is that they hold a vast amount of art work relating to that of the greatest jazz musicians that ever lived. Paintings of all sorts line the walls from ceiling to floor. I believe some of the art is available for sale along with other jazz items.

Groove8 set up their equipment in the main exhibit room where they captivated the audience there. Because of the size of the room and with hardwood floors, the acoustics were amazing. The sounds were similar to that if you were playing music in the shower. Imagine that. A live band blasting amazing music in your shower. It was that great.

Band members of Groove8 are as follows: Keith Whatley- Guitar / Tony McCullough- Alto Saxophone, Vox / Joe Smalls- Bass / Antonio Diaz- Percussion / Audi Jones- Drums / Joey Rayfield- Trombone / Travis Calvert- Tenor Saxophone / Johnathon Ayala- Keyboards / Mac McClain- Vox (added vocalist)

More information on Groove8 can be found on their website here at this link. Please keep local jazz alive and help purchase their latest CD and/or single tracks.

For more information about Marcus Bookstores click this link.

For more information about the Jazz Heritage Center click this link.