"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!