Gregory Groover Jr.

Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham - A few short months ago UK Jazz News had the pleasure of speaking with Gregory Groover Jr. about the pending release of his new album ‘Old Knew’, on the Criss Cross label. Morgan Enos was the lucky one then, but tonight the pleasure is all mine, and I’m not restricted to a transatlantic phone call either, I get to see the man in flesh on one of only two dates in the UK.

Peggy’s Skylight plays host and there’s a good crowd waiting (and dining) patiently for the event to begin. There’s a little introductory ceremony as the foursome take the stage with Groover Jr. being accompanied tonight by Dabin Ryu on piano, Max Ridley on bass and Marc Michel on drums. The night is primarily to promote the aforementioned album and the first four songs bear that out. Spaces, William and Vinson, 551 and Good Sir are all taken from it and pretty much take up all of the first set. Groover Jr. proves to be as good a raconteur as sax player as in between the songs he tells the stories behind the songs and creates a good affiliation and warmth with the audience.

It becomes evident that tonight could be as much an advert for the Berklee College of Music and its ability to produce high quality performers, as it is the album. Dabin Ryu trained there as did Groover Jr.’s long-time friend from college and life itself, Max Ridley. Marc Michel is the odd one out, but his credentials are qualified by Groover Jr. himself as he says, “he’s played with anyone and everyone and I’m so glad to have him with us”. The skill and dexterity that they all show during the performance as a collective but also as individuals when they’re allowed to shine is unquestioned and didn’t go unnoticed by the people of Nottingham.

The second set was eagerly awaited after the first had properly set the scene. The songs were a blend of the first album ‘Loveabye’, (In for a Pound or Penny), and new tracks, played purely for the love of it, and because Groover Jr. felt that we were all friends by now and they could try them on us (Last Time for Everything and But Eternity Is). But it was the Old Knew tracks that really shone through. Rain Shall Fall opened with a long, sensitive solo from Groover Jr. where every note was left hanging in the air and had the audience savouring them all as they fell, whereas the last track of the evening, and the title track itself Old Knew, had an somewhat extravagant and expressionist piano solo with more than a classical feel to it from Ryu.

This was a very pleasant evening and I for one hope that the interest that it’s generated means that he’ll return to our shores fairly soon. Here’s hoping.

You can read the UK Jazz News interview with Gregory Groover Jr. by clicking here… 

Gregory Groover Jr. Setlist - Set 1

Spaces

William and Vinson

551

Good Sir

May all Your Storms be Weathered

Gregory Groover Jr. Setlist - Set 2

In for a Pound or Penny

Rain Shall Fall

Last Time for Everything

But Eternity Is

Old Knew

Gregory Groover Jr. was Accompanied by…

Dabin Ryu - Piano

Max Ridley - Bass

Marc Michel - Drums

Written in association with UK Jazz News