James Morton "Groove Den"
One of the most exciting saxophonists of his generation Bristol-based James Morton has performed and recorded with some of the music industry's most outstanding artists, including Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley and The New JB’s, George Clinton, the Herbaliser and the NPG Horns (Prince). He played his first gig at the age of 12 and by 16, could be found on stage at Glastonbury, followed by gigs at festivals across the US and Europe (just taking time out to get his Masters degree from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music). Mentored by the great Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown) and jazz icon Andy Sheppard and with two critically acclaimed albums and a growing reputation as a writer and arranger, James is very much the sax player to look out for. Tonight he will be bringing his organ based quartet Groove Den to the Club, featuring Anders Olinder (Pee Wee Ellis)-organ, Tony Remy (Sarah Jane Morris)-guitar & Francesco Mendolia (Incognito)-drums performing what James describes as “a diverse array of musical styles, including jazz, funk, hip-hop, soul, and rock, the unifying elements being groove and feel”. Featuring lyrical, funky, soulful saxophone, blistering guitar solos, and deep heavy grooves, Groove Den takes listeners, as the band say “on a journey from New Orleans to the urban streets of Bristol!”. Promises to be a lot of fun…
“Soul and Funk with Sparkle” Guardian