Catch The Groove Jazz Band from Saint Augustine, FL

Did you Catch the Groove? Catch The Groove offers the sounds of Contemporary Jazz with R&B, Blues & Latin influences. The group provides a music program for Jazz venues, Jazz and Arts Festivals, Corporate functions, Weddings and other private and public events. The band members have many years of stage and studio experience and bring a blend of diverse backgrounds and music genres together for a unique sound all their own. During their sets, they break up their mix of instrumental originals and covers with vocals performed by various powerful and talented vocalists. Their democratic approach to performing is in full effect during their explosive live shows, where each member's talent and energy is on display via prominent lead lines, solos and tandem melodies with other members. 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, whose current core lineup featuring bassist John Baker, keyboardist Malik Graham and saxophonist/flutist Michael Stanley jelled in 2013 – several years after White launched the band as a vocal-guitar-sax trio in 2010. Trumpeter Max Bednarchik came on board later to create a powerhouse two-piece horn section with Stanley. The group also recently added Percussionist Elvyn Rodriguez and Drummer Henderson Olivares. 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 band is currently in the studio working on their eclectic, infectious debut album Daydreaming, 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. A native of Portland, ME, Ellis White studied with prominent guitarist John Shaffer and has played in blues and soft rock bands that have opened for artists like the late Warren Zevon and John Cafferty. Detroit-bred John Baker has been a staple of many contemporary/smooth jazz bands over the past 25 years, some of which have opened for genre greats like Marion Meadows and Spyro Gyra; he's also worked with saxophonist Tim Reeves and the Detroit based smooth jazz group Partners In Time which included saxophonist Dave McMurray. Nashville native Michael Stanley studied jazz at Berklee College of Music, Peabody School of Music and Vanderbilt, and also privately with top sax teacher Joe Viola. He played in military orchestra bands when he was in the service, then carved out a career performing straight ahead jazz; he has also performed with The Dave Clark Five and Billy Joe Royal. Malik Graham, from Winston-Salem, NC, is a heavyweight in the R&B world whose prior contemporary jazz oriented band opened for genre greats Bob James and Gerald Albright. Catch The Groove's sole Florida native is Max Bednarchik, who has a degree in jazz from the University of North Florida and has played in various jazz and salsa ensembles. Percussionist Elvyn Rodriguez hails from Puerto Rico. Elvyn initially began playing the trumpet, however always had a great interest in Latin Percussion and has studied underand performed alongside world renowned percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo as well as others and has toured much of the world performing as a latin percussionist. HE has opened for BB King and also worked with Justo Betancourt, Raul Berrios, Conjunto Imperial, Benjamin Navarro and Son Con Clave. Musician, arranger, producer and recording engineer Henderson Olivares is from Venezuela. Henderson has been a facilitator, performer or teacher at Frank Musi Music Academy, Venezuela, Zulia University, Venezuela and Comprehensive School Spain Flamenco Art Color, Venezuela. During of his career, he has alternated and participated with producers, artists and bands such as Agustin Espina, Leonardo Medina (Leo Medd), Yasmil Marrufo, Isaac Gonzales, David Bisbal, Vicente Fernandez among others. "The fun part of this band," says Ellis "is getting to play, perform and now write and record with an amazingly talented and diverse group of musicians. I have a tremendous amount of respect for these fabulous guys. We work well together because everyone brings a uniquely creative spirit and musical voice to the mix."