Roy - Keys

Headquarters of Groove founder member, keyboard player, producer and songwriter Roy Linton has long had the idea to bring together the best that jazz, funk and soul can offer, but with a more acidic twist. He likes to bring an energetic but  laidback chill to the party playing various venues mainly around the Midlands and London. His dance music productions were once described by Radio One as “music to enjoy on a sweet summer’s day with a beer in the garden or bar”. Inspired by artists such as Azymuth, Incognito, The Specials, George Duke, Jamiroquai, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Matt Bianco, Astrud Gilberto, Sade, Moloko, George Benson & Jimi Hendrix, creating music is a joy of expression of my inner self without creative boundaries.

Jodi adores Funk, Soul and music that grooves you! She has been performing for over 20 years, studying music performance and gigging in London. Venturing out to the gig scene internationally as well as round the U.K., she has performed with numerous artists and amazing musicians. Her influences are Janice Joplin, Christina Aguilera, Rachelle Farrell, Michael Jackson and a mixture of bands like London Elektricity and 4Hero.

A former winner of the Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award, and more recently nominated for a British Blues Award, Sax and Flute player John Sanderson has performed at leading British Jazz venues, including London’s Ronnie Scott’s, The 606 Club, Pizza Express and Band On The Wall, and has played in several Jazz Festivals. He has gigged with top British Jazz luminaries, including Don Rendell, Don Weller, Jim Mullen, and Guy Barker, with whom he also recorded an album. “Stunning Solos” (The Wire), “A ceaseless cogent improviser” (Time Out). In addition to his work in the field of Jazz, John has also backed world-renowned Soul and Blues performers, Wilson Pickett, Patti LaBelle, Irma Thomas and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

Ted first picked up the bass guitar when I was 13 years old after trying piano, French horn and drums.
He is obsessed with music and all things to do with bass guitars. I enjoy nothing more than playing music with others.
I have played in various bands over 25 years playing a variety of styles of music but my favourite is soulful, funky and groovy music.
Nothing gives me more pleasure than playing an absolutely sick bassline. My influences include Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards and Nate Watts.

Getting to know Mahandra is a short and a long process at the same time. It is a short process because he exudes music and rhythm, he literally lives and breathes it and it cannot leave you as an indifferent spectator – your heart, soul and body respond to it. And it is a long process to learn and experience all the various ways in which he practices his musical art and shares it with others.

Mahendra started playing for a few local bands, playing in church and soon progressed to a freelance artist.  He has collaborated with many artists both locally and further afield around the UK and Europe.   

André has played most genres of music over the last 40 years, from ACDC tributes and Jazz Funk covers to Americana originals, being signed as a young drummer with a NWOBHM band back in the day, and played with former members of Motorhead and Diamond Head to name a few, but always had an ear for a groove, which is where his passion lies.
His tightness and feel bring a different flavour to Acid Jazz, but with a passion to get people moving. Sat deep in the HQOG Engine Room. André's musical influences are varied and eclectic and include Level 42, The Brand New Heavies,  Incognito, This is The Kit, The Pineapple Thief, Steven Wilson, Takuya Kuroda, Vertical Horizon, Go Go Penguin, Field Music, Snarky Puppy, Bonobo, and most things non 'main stream'. World Music also floats his boat!

New member Andy was inspired by the acid jazz scene of the 90s and then digging deeper to discover the wonders of 1970s jazz funk. Andy has been laying down guitar in funk bands for the last 25 years.  Influenced by the rhythmic style of Nile Rodgers and Cory Wong, his groove based playing sits deep in the pocket.