Groove Collective’s musical style reflects the wide-ranging backgrounds and interests of its individual members. This mix is born of the members’ varying influences, including bebop, funk, old-school hip-hop and classic soul.
Groove Collective was formed in downtown New York City in 1990 by flutist Richard Worth, DJ Smash, and rapper Nappy G, all three staples of a nomadic dance club called Giant Step. In time, the trio was joined by keyboardist Itaal Shur, drummer Gengi Siraisi, and bassist Jonathan Maron, earning a growing cult following and eventually attracting the attention of Steely Dan vibist Bill Ware, who soon signed on along with saxophonist Jay Rodriguez, trombonist Josh Roseman, trumpeter Fabio Morgera, and percussionist Chris Theberge. Groove Collective‘s self-titled debut LP appeared on Reprise in 1993, followed three years later by the GRP label release We the People. The group resurfaced in 1998 with Dance of the Drunken Master. It’s All in Your Mind was issued in 2001 with People People Music Music following in 2006.
