 |
 |
||||
|
|
 |
 |
|
BiosGrooveShip was born in 1994 but grew up in 2005. Rehearsals for the current and final lineup started in October of 2005 in Saul's living room in the SE part of Iowa City. Marcus Perkins had always wanted a 4 piece funk band that played the music that was on the radio in the 1970's. Bands like The Meters, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth, Wind and Fire, Buddy Miles, Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield, The Isley Bros. and too many others to properly list.
GrooveShip Personnel |
||
 |
 |
| © Copyright 2005-2008 GrooveShip and William Easton Design. All rights reserved. |
Marcus is the youngest brother of Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member Sydney James Wingfield (Hammond B-3/Piano) and the late Ted Wingfield (Bass Guitar).Their influence and encouragement enabled Marcus to perform in combos at the age of 13 and started playing in bars at 14 yrs, playing at the notorious Cougar Lounge , in Cedar Rapids. Marcus is a native of Cedar Rapids, IA where he grew up hearing and playing music in the church. Marcus was a teen age buddy of Cedar Rapids guitar genius Dennis McMurrin, and played drums, guitar and bass, and sang in his church choir as a young man. He brings the groove and the pocket to GrooveShip, not to mention his soulful singing style that has graced many local bands over the years such as Mean St. and the Hell Horns and The Lincoln Garcia Band .Marcus taught and played in the Minneapolis area for many years with Ivan 'Daddy-I' Wallace and Willie Murphy before moving back to Iowa City.
Saul Lubaroff has been playing music since he was 8 yrs old. Already adept at piano, viola and clarinet by age 11, he took up the sax in Junior High, and that was it! Saul studied with Dan Yoder at the U of I during high school, and played in college jazz bands before he had his drivers license. Saul is a classically trained saxophonist, but his real love is jazz, and that funk that drives people out on the dance floor. You will also hear Saul sing with GrooveShip. Saul's first sax hero was alto player Phil Woods, whose solo on Billy Joel's "Just the way you are" in 1977 was a turning point in Saul's life, and the start of his long journey practicing his horn for hours, learning every scale known to mankind, going to see live music every chance he got, copying solos from LP's (remember LP's?) Saul has many jazz sax masters to thank for his inspiration, including Julian "Cannonball" Adderly, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Art Pepper, Coleman Hawkins, Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter, Michael Brecker, Maceo Parker, David "Fathead" Newman, and on and on. Saul was a key member of the R & B group Shade of Blue from 1989-1996 performing over 100 shows a year at venues around the states of Iowa and Illinios. Saul formed the Saul Lubaroff Quartet in 1997 and SLQ has played at the Iowa City Jazz Festival 3 times as a side stage group. Other venues include the Sanctuary Pub, Martini's Bar, Bistro on 1st and The Green Room. SLQ has released 2 CD's that are both available on Amazon.com, cdbaby.com, itunes, and 35 other digital music providers on the internet. Saul has also been known to fill in for other sax players in bands such as The Diplomats of Solid Sound Johnny Kilowatt Band and Bohemian Soul Tribe. Saul has been a guest artist and soloist on many recordings with local bands. Saul's inspiration comes from his two wonderful sons, Zane and Will, who are his bestest buddies in the whole world. 
Originally from Atlantic, IA by way of Kirkwood Community College and their fine Jazz Dept., Seth May had no idea that he was a keyboard player until last year when the call came in for his varied musical skills. Not to mention his cool NORD keyboard which is the envy of musicians far and wide. "Sethro" is the baddest (thats good) left handed guitarist in these parts and the resident GrooveShip sound and tech guru. Listen carefully and you might hear Seth sing a tune or two with the band!
Brian Cooper comes from the rough neighborhoods in Toledo, Iowa. He graduated high school from South Tama in 1995, and attended college at Kirkwood and The University of Northern Iowa. Brian has played with numerous projects from 1995 to present in many different styles ranging from rock, blues, country, funk, soul, jazz, and far out eclectic hip pop. Brian been teaching drum lessons at West music since 2002 and lovin' every minute of it! He thinks that Steve Gadd's contribution to the music world in the last thirty years is more important than the moon landing, and much more real. Other bands and artists that have shaped the Cooper sound are Weather Report, Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Band, and many more. Brian is the rock that GrooveShip stands on. His sponge like ability to pick up any beat, or groove and lock it in is one of the reasons that GrooveShip is blowing peoples minds. 
Thomas Ott is originally from Ottawa, Illinois. At the age of 13 he decided to quit the school band and trade his horn in for a guitar. Within two years he was already playing in his own groups and had begun to write music. Originally influenced by rock guitarists such as Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton, Thomas first began to play funk and jazz at Augustana College – where he received his bachelor's in Music and Political Science. Thomas is now pursuing his Master's in Music (Jazz Studies) at the University of Iowa, focusing on composition and improvisation. His current musical influences include Kurt Rosenwinkel, Moacir Santos, Ben Allison and Bill Frisell. Thomas is active in the Iowa City music scene and performs with numerous bands in the Iowa City area including Three Page Fives, Johnson County Landmark and The UI Guitar Ensemble.