The Brothers Groove

Formed in 1999 by Chris Codish, James Simonson and Mike Caskey, The Brothers Groove have long been regarded as one of Detroit’s best live bands. Individually and collectively The Brothers Groove have won 19 Detroit Music Awards including (in 2007) Outstanding Modern Jazz Group, Outstanding Funk Musician (James Simonson) and Outstanding Live Performance. They have released two studio CD’s, “Clamp It Down” and “So Glad You Came,” a live CD, “Layin’ in the Cut,” and were featured on the compilations, “Detroit Now Vol 1.5” and “WDET Live Vol 3.” The band has played many major festivals including The Detroit Jazz Festival, The Detroit Tastefest, NXNE, SXSW (where they jammed with Blues Traveler front-man John Popper)and countless gigs around the Midwest.The sound is a mixture of Jazz, Funk, Blues and Soul which is instantly familiar yet distinctly original. Co-founder Chris Codish is a mainstay of the Detroit music scene. His bluesy phrasing and jazz sensibility, in both vocal and keyboard delivery, have been honed by playing with greats like Hiram Bullock, Lucky Peterson, Dave McMurray, Johnnie Bassett, Thornetta Davis and many others. He is the vocalist, chief lyricist and trail blazer, guiding the band through its several different line-ups. James Simonson is the rock solid rhythm foundation of the band. His bass playing has been featured with many of Detroit’s top groups. He has also been heard with the orchestras of major touring theatre musicals as well as with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Current drummer Skeeto Valdez has toured and recorded with Trey Anastasio (of the band Phish) and has worked with countless greats through his long career. He brings a seasoned perspective to the band as well as an irrepressible joy in the art of making the Brothers Groove.The Brothers Groove are of one Detroit’s top bands for several good reasons. They know what they’re doing, they love doing it, and their love of performing radiates directly from the stage to the audience. It’s almost impossible to not to move or be moved when listening to The Brothers Groove.