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"Intelligent Funk
for the Dancing Masses"

L to R: Kim Campagnaro, Frank
Vignanello, Lily Sazz, Alex MacDougall, Steve Hilbert, Rob Gellner, Cole
G. Benjamin, Peter McFarland
(photo by Bill King)
Groove
Corporation is an award-winning
band that includes some of the best
players in Southern Ontario. Their legacies include bands like
Crowbar, Trailblazers, Kaya, and more. Collectively, their backgrounds and
experience ranges from r’n’b and blues, to heavy rock and country; but
they all have one thing in common, which is their passion for the kind of
music Groove Corporation performs - funk, r’n’b, groove, soul, and a few
irresistible surprises.
The band has been
gaining momentum through performances at festivals and concerts throughout
the region, and audiences and media alike are responding to the original
approach to their repertoire, and the amazing showmanship and musicianship
displayed at each and every performance. This group gives 110% every time
they step on stage.
Groove Corporation is currently working
on original material, which they intend to release within the next year.
The collaborative writing sessions and warm camaraderie in the band will
no doubt spill into the final results, and they're excited to get it out
there.
Band members
include (see full bios below) Kim Campagnaro on
lead vocals and congas, Steve Hilbert
on bass, Alex MacDougall on
lead guitar, Lily Sazz on
keyboards, Frank Vignanello
on drums, and our shiny horn section featuring
Rob Gellner on trumpet, and
Cole G. Benjamin and
Pete McFarland on saxophones.
Groove Corporation is available for
festivals, corporate functions, special events, and discerning nightclubs.
The energy produced will inspire the dancers and impress both music
aficionados and fellow musicians.
Band Bios
(alphabetically)
Cole G. Benjamin (London): Cole plays soprano,
alto, tenor and baritone sax (he's very saxy!), and we all must concede,
that he is the best dressed member of Groovecorp and possibly even the
coolest. Although he focuses on saxophones and some vocals with Groove
Corporation, he's also been seen performing on keys with Helix and on saxes with Tim "E" and the Yes Men.
Kim Campagnaro (Burlington): Kim is the lead
vocalist for Groove Corporation, as well as contributing immensely to the
groove itself with his congas and percussion work. He's played with a
number of different groups in the area, including a couple of years with
The Trailblazers (back when he played a mean bass).
Rob Gellner (Guelph):
Rob has played in a number of big bands and small
combos, writes and arranges for them all, and is currently studying
arranging with private lessons from the legendary Grammy award winning Rob
McConnell. Rob also holds a degree in composition from Wilfrid Laurier
University. He is our newest Groovecorp member, and we welcome him!
Steve Hilbert (Hamilton): Steve was recruited by
our drummer, Frank, as together they also double as the rhythm section for
successful Reggae group Kaya. He's played with the legendary Florence
Henderson and celebrity Wayne Brady. Steve's a monster on bass, a super great
guy, and we are thrilled to have him as a member
of Groove Corporation.
Alex MacDougall (Hamilton): Alex MacDougall,
originally from Truro, Nova Scotia, followed in his father Sandy's
footsteps when he became a professional guitarist. Growing up among the
cream of the crop in the Maritime music community, he laid the groundwork
which would follow - a stellar career performing with groups such as Bond,
Crowbar, Harrison Kennedy & The Rockin' Hurricanes, and The Trailblazers.
Pete McFarland (Waterdown): Pete has a rich history
playing sax in various bands in the area, including The Hornets and
occasionally the 905 Band, among others.
Lily Sazz (Dundas): Lily holds down the keyboard
fort in Groove Corporation. Her musical history is long and rich. She
was
the musical director of the renowned Women's Blues Revue
for a decade, and helped it grow from an
800-seat venue, to 1200, and is now staged at Massey Hall annually and
aired on CBC Radio. She was co-founder of The
Trailblazers, a respected blues/r'n'b group, and is heavily involved
with the Toronto Blues Society as a member of the Musicians' Advisory
Council, as well as the blues advisory committee for
the Juno Awards. See www.lilysazz.com.
Frank Vignanello (Stoney Creek): Frank is one of
the funkiest drummers we know, and is a big reason for the great sound
Groove Corporation has developed. He also doubles along with Steve (our
bass player) as part of the rhythm section for Reggae group Kaya. We call
our rhythm section "Frankensteve". They are monsters!



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