Groove Authority | WilsonStevens - Boston Wedding Bands | New England Live Music Bands and Entertainment Agency

Biographies

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Laya

Laya was born and raised in Cambridge MA, the youngest of four siblings. She grew up listening to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Boys II Men. Laya was an award-winning vocalist in high school and has studied voice at the New School of Music, the School of Groove, and with renowned voice artist Jimi Zimmardi. She also has enjoyed success as a songwriter, actor and model, and was featured in Black Hair magazine in 2005.

Laya has been turning heads since her very first show with Groove Authority. “ Its such a great feeling to be able to do what you love and have people enjoy it right along with you,” Laya says. “ But the best part is singing with such a great group of guys. They’re like my extended family!”.

Joe

Joe has always had a love for all things music, and started picking up instruments one by one when he was in middle school. It wasn’t until after college that Joe learned to love the spotlight, as the front man for Gloucester-based band Middle Ground. “ We only played a few shows a month, but the experience really opened the door and allowed me to gain the skills I would need to flourish with Groove Authority.”

Joe remembers growing up with great music always playing in the house. “ My older sisters grew up in the mid-80’s, and to this day I’m still a hardcore 80’s fan. I think my parents’ Motown records had a huge impact on me as well.

When asked about singing with Groove Authority, Joe gets visibly excited. “ I believe every song we perform has the power to stir people’s emotions.That’s why I love singing in Groove Authority. In fact, you’ll usually catch me dancing! I can’t help it; the music just makes me move! ”

Paul

Paul is the driving force behind Groove Authority. His tireless efforts as bandleader and manager are responsible for Groove Authority being one of the busiest professional cover bands in New England. Thanks to Paul, Groove Authority enjoys relationships with some of the top talent agencies in Boston, as well as an ever-expanding legion of fans and happy clients.

Recent wedding receptions rocked by Groove Authority garnered praise not only for the music but for Paul’s attention to detail. When it comes to getting the right feel for your event, Paul will be there to talk logistics, timeline, and setting the right mood.

In addition to his versatile guitar work with Groove Authority, Paul is a consummate blues guitarist, and has played at some of the top blues venues in Boston (the original House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe), as well as in Montréal, Québec (Bistro à Jojo, Jello Bar).

Seth

Seth is an active composer, music educator and bass player in Boston. He has degrees in music performance and music education from the UMASS Amherst, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree on a scholarship to Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. Seth has also toured the country with college-age student groups performing his own music arrangements, and has been commissioned to write music for ensembles from across New England, as well as Texas, Nebraska, South Carolina and even Japan.

Seth comes from a family of musicians; Seth began gigging with his father at age fourteen, and has been in love with groovin’ ever since!

After occasionally subbing on bass for Groove Authority over the course of a few years, Seth came on as the band’s full-time bass player in 2009. “ Groove Authority is such a fun band to play with! ” says Seth. “ When we really lock in and get the crowd going, it’s a feeling you can’t get any other way. “

Andrew

Andrew has opened for such national acts as Ziggy Marley, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, Blind Melon, Eek-A-Mouse, and Jon Faddis. Andrew has studied music at Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory, as well as privately with Jerry Bergonzi, Charlie Banacos, George Garzone, Frank Tiberi, Bert Wilson, and Johnny P. Jessen. He was included in the Grammy Ballot (first round) for Best Jazz Soloist for his performance on “Brown Skin Girl” with the Revolutionary Snake ensemble on their 2008 album Forked Tongue.

In addition to being a saxophone virtuoso, Andrew is an accomplished percussionist with a “bag of toys” he employs for sonic coloration and, of course, groove! But more importantly, Andrew brings fresh ideas and improvisations to every gig. “No matter how scripted music may be, you still never know exactly what will happen,” he says with a sly grin. “Performing with Groove Authority is a great experience because we all know how to combine a really well-prepared show with a little spontaneity to keep things interesting!”

Ken

Ken is one of the best keyboard players you will find anywhere, and he has the résumé to prove it! Melvin Sparks, Michelle Willson, The Love Dogs, Fathead Newman, and Bernard Purdie are just a few of the artists Ken has performed or recorded with. Ken has twice been the New England Blues Society’s pick for Keyboardist of the Year (2006, 2009), and The Ken Clark Organ Trio was featured in Bass Player Magazine for his incredible low-end prowess on the Hammond B-3 organ. Ken is one of the few and the proud who can still be seen and heard on the B-3, as cited in Wikipedia’s entry for the Hammond organ. He has a performer’s diploma from Berklee College of Music.

Ken’s skill as a singer and keyboardist is obvious every time he performs, but for him it’s all about the connection he makes with crowd and his fellow musicians. “ I enjoy the intense spiritual sense of community between the musicians and the audience,” Ken explains, “ especially at weddings, where the good vibes in the room are there from the get-go! “

Mike

Mike’s first encounter with drums was at the age of 11 in a small town in New Jersey, and he’s been relentlessly pursuing the “ groove “ ever since! Upon moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music, Mike got a chance to study with funk legend Larry Finn and rock master Mike Mangini. For more than three years now, Mike’s solid-as-a-rock playing has given credence to the name “ Groove Authority ”. From his intense study of dozens of percussionists from around the world, Mike has incorporated many techniques and styles into the repertoire of Groove Authority, helping the band to sound great at any venue for any crowd!

Testimonials

August 20, 2011 - The Quechee Club, Quechee, VT
Hi Tim,

We will write a more complete testimonial soon but I just wanted to let you know that we were so, so happy with Groove Authority at our wedding on Saturday. They were really incredible-- we got SO MANY compliments on how great they were. The dance floor was packed all night, and they were so easy and nice to work with. Thank you! Couldn't have asked for better.

-Rachel Roth

July 29, 2011 - The Bedford Village Inn
Performance Review:

1) Quality of Music: Excellent. Exactly what we had requested.

2) Choice of Music: Excellent. Very easy to get in touch with the band and they were accommodating to all of our requests.

3) Grooming and Attire: Excellent.

4) Emceeing: Good.

5) Break Schedule: Excellent. Everything was great minus one minor mistake announcing the bridal party

Everyone raved about how great Groove Authority was. I've never been to a wedding where after the last song, everyone is still on the dance floor wanting more, and that's how it was at our wedding. Thankyou!!

Kristin Cronin

June 5th ,2010
Hey Guys, Down here in Maryland. I Hope it was worth it For You to come Down here and Play that Night and that you guys had just as Much fun as we ALL Did. I would Like to Express some of The Emails ( that I still get even Today ) About How Much Fun Everyone Had That Night. You guys Put on an Awesome Show and Performance That can't Be Matched. The Band was The Hit of The Party ,You had everybody Dancing ,Laughing and Having the Best Time The Have had in 25 to 30 Years. So Many of Us had not seen each other for so Long, it wasn't a Class Re-union But More of a Re-union of Friends and people that grew up together, even though a lot of us went to school together , the age ranged from about 30 to about 57 years old. The emails still keep coming in and they say " where did you find that Band " ? They can't believe you guys came all the way from The Boston area. They still rave about How Great The Band was and How Much fun They had. So ,I will End This By Saying THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF MAKING THIS (The Event of The Decade) HAPPEN AT THE GLENN DALE GET TOGETHER ;)

Rick McNabb

Testimonial
BEST WEDDING EVER! We just wanted to thank you and the rest of your band again for a fantastic time. We have received so many compliments from family and friends about you and the evening of dancing. I got my wish...dance all night long! It was so great and we had so much fun. I think about it all of the time!

Heejean Yang & Brendon Parry

Testimonial
We just wanted to thank you and the other band members for doing a fantastic job performing at our wedding. We loved the music you played, the singing & dancing were awesome, and you all displayed so much fun happy wedding party energy. Also, thank you for all your help before the wedding, replying to all of my questions so promptly. Groove Authority really was groovy! Since the wedding, many more of our guests have commented to us about how awesome the band was. You all did such a good job and were so much fun to dance too. You are one of the reasons we had a fantastic day. Just wanted to thank you again.

Best wishes,
Heather & Michael Ching

Testimonial
"Our guests were very impressed with Paul and Groove Authority. The band kept the crowd dancing all night to a great mix that ranged from 'Proud Mary' to 'Bust a Move.'"

Caleb Cochran

Testimonial
Paul: I wanted to be sure and send this off while I was still euphoric about my daughter's wedding and the amazing job you and the band did at making the reception an even more memorable event. We were already riding high but, the energy and talent Groove Authority brought to the affair, raised us even higher. Everyone had a blast, much of which was owed to the fact that you totally get keeping people on their feet. Everytime I thought I was too tired to keep dancing, you would blast another number that made it impossible to leave the dance floor. We got comments like, "I usually hate weddings, but yours was so much fun" and "that band was fabulous--who were they and where did you find them?" and "if you close your eyes, you'd swear Alicia Keys was singing".

I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone and I wish you and the band much success--you all deserve it!!!! Thanks again.

Nancy

Testimonial
If you are looking for an energetic band to play at your wedding, look no further than Groove Authority! Paul and the band were prompt and professional but best of all....they PLAYED all of the music we wanted to hear and did not play anythng we did not want to hear! The guests had nothing but compliments on how great they sounded from the cocktail music to the end of the electrified reception! I highly recommend them for your wedding day...or any party!

Thanks again Paul and Groove Authority!
Patrick & Christina McMenamy

Testimonial
We looked at several bands for our wedding and we loved Groove Authority both because of their talent, professionalism, and simply their vibe in general. Paul was easy to work with during the wedding planning process and thankfully, honored all of our requests. During the wedding they had everyone dancing, sounded great, and kept things running smoothly. We had so much going on that day and the band showed up on time, set up, and moved through the schedule so well without us having to worry at all, I was very impressed. They seemed to fit seamlessly into what turned out to be a perfect and amazing day. All of our guests have agreed that Groove Authority really couldn't have been better! All of our guests loved the band and almost everyone was up and dancing most of the night. We had an awesome reception and Groove Authority was a big part of it. Thanks so much,

Craig & Katey Penz

Testimonial
I just wanted to take a moment to Thank you all again for doing such a fantastic job performing at our wedding. We have always had a great time seeing you play and now I can add that it was an absolute pleasure working with you. You were so professional and sincere through out the planning process. We really appreciated you reaching out to us as often as you did just to check in. I have to tell you that nearly all of our guests commented on how great you were and how they could not remember the last time they were at a function where they danced the whole time! The song selection couldn't have been more perfect and we loved how you interacted with the crowd while playing. You really got the party started and kept the party going! Thank you so much for making our special day an event to remember!

Sincerely,
Milena & Billy Corr

Testimonial
We couldn't have been happier with all aspects along the way. Paul was extremely helpful in the planning process and took a genuine interest in how we wanted the night to look and the feel we were going for. He was helpful with the timeline, and flexible on the logistical issues we needed to work out.

The band as a whole were truly professional...not to mention a blast! We've heard from so many guests how awesome they were and we couldn't agree more. They played a wide range of music, which is what we were looking for, and they did all of it very well. We asked them to learn a couple of songs, including the one for our first dance, and they did a spectacular job. Having a great band plays a very important role in the night, and we think that Groove Authority was a perfect choice. From easy jazz during the cocktail reception (guitar and sax), to the slower stuff at the beginning, to the rock/hip-hop/dance/funk/blues as the night went on; they excelled.

Sincerely,
Matt & Emily Giorgetti

Testimonial
Groove Authority was AMAZING! They did such a wonderful job!! I've had so many people tell me what a great band they are and I can't agree more. Paul was very professional, and so easy to work with. The music was well timed, and perfectly fit the vibe of the moment. I can't say enough great things about the band, and would be more than happy to be a reference for future brides interested in Groove Authority. You know how important the band was for us, and they were perfect.

Thanks for all your help!
Julie G. Marsello