Oct. 19-20, 26-27
Nov. 2-3
Hard Rock Cafe
5223 North Orient Road
Tampa, Florida 33610
813-627-7625
Reservations Number:
1-866-502-PLAY
http://www.hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com/
New CD:
Mr. Groove Little Things DiamonDisc Records
Street Date: November 1, 2007
“Kudos for Tim and Roddy Smith for producing one enchanting and engaging musical treat. There's nothing small about Little Things; it is in fact a major release bound to have a big impact on jazz audiences everywhere"
--Edward Blanco Ejazznews.com
Mr. Groove is a contemporary jazz group founded in the early 90's by brothers Tim and Roddy Smith. Along with bassist Tim, and guitarist Roddy are keyboardist Mark Stallings, saxophonist Tim Gordon, and drummer Tony Creasman.
The Smith brothers began playing and performing as young children, and started writing their own music and recording as young teens. Tim Gordon was actually a classmate of Tim Smith as far back as junior high, though they did not know each other then. Fast forward 15 years-the Smiths return to Charlotte to start an original music band. One of the first venues they performed in was Jonathon's Jazz Cellar, a dowtown Charlotte jazz club. On a fateful Sunday night jam session, a friend of the Smiths brought in a new keyboard player in town to jam. From the first few moments, Tim and Roddy knew that they had found a musical soulmate in Mark Stallings. He soon became a regular in the band lineup. The Smiths had been hearing about a sax player in town named Tim Gordon, actually a college classmate of Mark. After being invited to sit in on a gig-the chemistry was obvious-and Tim instantly became a part of the slowly growing band. During a gospel recording session in Greenville, SC, Tim Smith first encountered drummer Tony Creasman. A live gig in Asheville with Mr. Groove a few weeks later cemented Tony's place.
A self titled project was recorded in Charlotte a year or so later, released and promoted to jazz radio, and charted on over 100 stations, becoming a hit in areas as diverse as Las Vegas and Indianapolis, and garnering heavy rotation coast to coast and on J Wave in Japan. On the Smith's return to the US after a two year gig in Paris at Disneyland, Mr. Groove recorded a second project for Contemporary Christian label Pamplin Music, called Venice Wind. The project sold well, and was critically acclaimed.
Now, a new project is nearing completion. It features the band, along with vocalist Darryl Johnson, a long time collaborator, and top studio singer, and Tim Cashion, another long time friend of the band, studio singer, and one of the top live vocal sidemen in the business, having performed with Robert Palmer, Jon Secada, Bob Seger, and currently with the reformed Grand Funk Railroad.
For more information contact Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services.
