Festival: RAMI Award Ceremony, 2016

Festival: RAMI Award Ceremony, 2016

Groove Hotel has been playing in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area for more than a decade. Consistently recognized with numerous Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) awards, the group is a popular choice for local and regional concerts.

The band typically performs as a jazz quintet and also offers a dynamic 10-piece rhythm and jazz ensemble that features the talented vocalist, Gina Meeks. The band’s evolving repertoire features rhythmic variety and original compositions, including a mix of musical styles and smoldering rhythms in an upbeat funky, Latin, R&B, and swing style of contemporary jazz. Compositions by Miles Davis, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Herbie Hancock share the spotlight with songs by Sade, Etta James, and Tower of Power, to name just a few.

Groove Hotel has played to appreciative crowds at Music at the Marv in Janesville, WI;
The Gathering Place in Milton, WI; Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL;
Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL; Klehm Arboretum’s Woodsong Concert Series in Rockford, IL;
Northwest Illinois Arts Festival, The Art Institute of Chicago, Sinnissippi Bandshell in Rockford, IL;
and Music at Harry’s Place in Beloit, WI.

Groove Hotel quintet includes:

Phil Pilcher - tenor sax and flute
Dave Timmcke - bass
Bob Rub - piano
Jeff Layng - trumpet
Dan Kasten – drums

Featured musicians include:

Gina Meeks - vocals
Johnse Holt - guitar & vocals

Frequent special guests:

Paul Rehfeldt - trombone
Evon Sams - saxes
Tony Vecchio -tenor sax
Ed Pawelski – drums
Mike Blaisdell – piano
Chris Behrens - piano
Amy Nickel - vocals
Jimi Harsevoort - percussion
John Burns – guitar
Larry Anderson - guitar