Upcoming gigs

The Groove Merchants Ltd.

Where the groove goes, nobody knows

Summer 2009 saw the reformation of the Groove Merchants with Carl Brunsdon on sax, bass player Fabian Bonner, drummer Paul Murfin and guitarist Matt Bishop taking part in a major road trip across Europe to raise money for CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading children's cancer charity.

The band entered the 'Ramshackle Rally' from Calais to Krakow that ran from 6th - 10th August. This was a seriously long way and stop offs included Strasbourg, Innsbruck, Bratislava and Krakow. Sounds simple? Unfortunately, the rule of the rally was that you were not allowed to spend more than £150 on a vehicle. Yep.

So, one legendary fund raising gig later, the band undertook this epic journey in a clapped out Volvo estate. Did they survive ............. ?

Well, I guess so because, with the help of a load of friends The Groove Merchants LTD raised over £1000 and are still playing their unique brand of funk and jazz in various venues across the country.

Oh, see that youtube video on the right - that's us busking outside the railway station in Strabourg.

The band has been playing with varying line ups including Tom Bainbridge (Godfather) on Guitar, Joe Cole (Godfather) on keys and Tom Bishop (The Vanguards) on Bass.

The Groove Merchants' set consists of some mighty fine jazz funk such as:

• Chameleon (Herbie Hancock)
• Soul Power (Maceo Parker)
• Have A Good Time (Brand New Heavies)
• Charlie Dozen (Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
• Sister Sadie (Horace Silver)
• Cissy Strut (The Meters)
• Chicken (Alfred Ellis)
• Pick Up The Pieces (Average White Band)
• Cold Duck Time (Eddie Harris)

Because of the inherent jazz culture, every Groove Merchant set is different and could go anywhere. In fact, it often does. Mmhm. Charlie Parker forgive us wherever you are.

Musicians:

Carl Brunsdon
Sax

Matt Bishop
Tom Bainbridge
Guitar

Joe Cole
Keys

Fabian Bonner
Tom Bishop
Bass

Paul Murfin
Drums