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 path to becoming
a band in the case of Mr. Groove is a great story. The Smith
brothers are the sons of "Brother" Ralph Smith, a
well know musician and comedian, and a part of the Arthur Smith
Show, the nationally syndicated television series from the 50's-70's,
led by the Smith's uncle, legendary guitarist, Arthur Smith.
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. Having been through
several different session drummers at the studio, Tim was wary
of the new, left handed guy in the drum booth. But about eight
measures into the first "run-down" Tim stopped, walked
into the booth and asked for Tony's phone number. 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.
