CM Events

There may be additional information at: http://www.anewgroove.com 

A New Groove, as implied by it’s name is one the freshest, and most versatile dance bands in the Portland, Oregon area. Blessed with an almost obscene abundance of talent, A New Groove leaves no stone unturned in their quest for the Holy Grail of funk, disco, rock, R&B, and jazz. Lead vocalist Leisa Hart’s voice is as good as it gets and the band is a stellar collection of some of Portland’s best musical talent!

• Excellent six piece band with amazing lead vocals and harmonies
• Entertaining and engaging stage presentation
• Professional sound and management
• Wireless mic for event use included
• Break time DJ service and basic lighting included
• Flexible and very easy to work with
• Can learn advance music requests
• Serving events in the Northwest and beyond
• Best quality for the best price in the Northwest
• Performances that guests will talk about for years to come!

Marc Hutchinson - Saxophone : Portland native and Tenor Saxophonist Marc Hutchinson is a graduate of Portland State University with a degree in Jazz Performance. He is a very active member of the Portland music scene and has performed with such notable names as Darrell Grant, Mel Brown, Dan Faenhle, the D.K. Stewart Band, Patrick Lamb, the Ken Derouchie band, as well as with national artists Ingrid Jensen and Don Braden. Marc can also be found performing regularly with the Rocktet, Flatland, the Dave Fleschner Band, Pete Peterson's Big Band, Shelly Rudolph, the Notables, Greg Goebel, the JB Allstars, and his own projects, Ouroborus and the Winning Team Band. In addition to playing, Marc is an in demand studio musician and has been featured on several dozen recordings from Portland-area musicians. Marc also heads the jazz and saxophone departments at Ethos, inc., and has been an instructor there for over 5 years.

Leisa Hart - Vocalist: Leisa Hart started her career as a child singing gospel in the Church. Leisa attended Mt Hood CC to study Jazz and performed in all of the top groups there. Leisa performed at the Mt Hood Jazz Festival three consecutive years which prompted a glowing review in the local news paper for her rendition of Dee Dee Bridgewater's Dr. Feel Good. Beggining at the age of 19, started doing recording sessions for people in the Pacific NW, such as Lloyd Jones Struggle, Cowboy Angels and then became a regular at Falcon Studios, Northstar recording, Gino Vanelli, Kung Fu Bakery, and Bill Screams studio. Toured Europe in the late 80's and 90's performing gospel with various groups. Currently loving my band, A New Groove!

Jarrod Lawson - Keyboards/Vocals: Jarrod Lawson, a thirty-year old singer/songwriter and keyboardist, has been a resident of the Pacific Northwest for over twenty years. Born to music, Jarrod’s first memories were made while exploring his father’s recording studio in Redwood City, California, where he found his first of many eventual creative outlets, the drum kit. Jarrod, initially a student of his father, Steven, later became enticed by the infinite harmonic possibilities offered by the piano, and eventually moved on to become a three-year student of the acclaimed Clackamas Community College music program. It was here that Jarrod seasoned his pallet with flavors of great composers in every genre: Frederic Chopin, Errol Garner, Chick Corea, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley, etc. From this was born Jarrod’s unique style of vocal/lyrical and instrumental composition. Jarrod has been seen opening up for international acts such as Average White Band, Maceo Parker, and Angelique Kidjo.

Jamin Swenson - Bass: Jamin Swenson has played bass for 9 years. Largely self-taught, his solid, reliable playing has kept him busy both onstage and in the studio in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. Jamin got his start in the Portland music scene as a member of The Holidays - a smart pop-rock band - in which he wrote and arranged many songs. His playing grew through experience and later he formed The Four Pounds - a jazz combo which played many of his original instrumental pieces. He has gone on to be a sideman in many groups, playing such diverse styles as reggae, swing, rock, blues, gospel and funk. He has done regular session work at studios like Kung Fu Bakery and Dead Aunt Thelma's and played with such local artists as Tim Ellis, Renato Caranto, Steve Cannon, Reinhardt Melz, Rob Stroup, John Nilsen, Stephanie Schneiderman, Jaycob Van Auken, Jim Walker and Aaron Meyer.

Ken Ollis - Drummer: Ken has been playing the drums for almost two decades. He has performed extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. He has played with a variety of jazz luminaries, in both straigh-ahead and free settings, including: Kenny Werner, Dominique Eade, Ingrid Jensen, Julian Priester, Bud Shank, John Stowell, Darrell Grant, John Gross, Dan Balmer, Rob Blakeslee, Rich Halley, etc. He also regularly performs in other stylistic contexts: afro-cuban (Pepe and the Bottle Blondes), African high-life (Chata Addy and Susuma), blues (Big Monti Amundson), R&B (The Drifters), and folk (Jane Wright). He leads his own band, Ollis and Associates, which performs his own compositions. He currently teaches drum set at Portland State University and George Fox University, and has taught a multitude of clinics throughout the Northwest. He can be heard on the following albums: Pepe and the Bottle Blondes: "Pambrosia"; Jane Wright "Southern Songs and Ballads"; Dave Fleschner "At Home", "Live at McPeet's", and "Just Like You"; The Michael Vlatkovich Tritet "Queen Dynamo"; The Tom McNalley Trio (self titled).

Dan Gildea - Guitar: Guitarist Dan Gildea is one of the most in demand musicians in the Portland area. Dan is one of the "cats" that are first call for recording work and has recorded with local luminaries such as Mel Brown, Stephanie Schneiderman, Mary Kadderly, Patrick Lamb, and many others. Dan keeps busy as a guitar instructor and performs with A New Groove, Mary Kadderly, Stephanie Schneiderman, and Louis Pain among others. Dan possesses an effervescent personality that belies the intensity that he brings to his craft.

 

There may be additional information at: http://www.anewgroove.com  

Audio Samples:

Download	Name	Play	Size	Length
	Ain't Got You A New Groove		2.2 MB	2:24 min
	Ain't No Mountain A New groove		3.4 MB	2:30 min
	At Last A New Groove		3.6 MB	2:37 min
	Brown Eyed Girl A New Groove		4.7 MB	2:04 min
	Dance With Somebody A New Groove		1.8 MB	1:58 min
	Don't Stop Believing A New Groove		4.9 MB	2:08 min
	Get Here A New Groove		3.9 MB	2:52 min
	I Will Survive A New Groove		4.1 MB	3:01 min
	Respect A New Groove		3.5 MB	2:34 min
	Rock With You A New Groove		1.8 MB	1:59 min
	Rolling In The Deep A New Groove		6.1 MB	2:40 min
	Stronger A New Groove		3.1 MB	1:21 min
	Sweet Home Alabama A New Groove		3.2 MB	2:19 min
	What's Goin' On A New Groove		2.5 MB	2:41 min
	php		0 MB	min
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Partial Song List  

Jazz, Standards and Instrumentals

My Foolish Heart

My One And Only Love

Satin Doll

It Had To Be You

In The Mood

Under My Skin

Dont Get Around Much Anymore

Take The A Train

New York, New York

Time After Time

Fly Me To The Moon

I Could Write A Book

The Way You Look Tonight

My Funny Valentine

My Romance

St. Thomas

Body and Soul

Night and Day

Angel Eyes

Meditation

Daddy's Little Girl

 Ballads

You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker

Stunning Mystery Companion - Jackson Brown

Stand By Me - Otis Redding

Hero - Mariah Carey

Get Here - Oleta Adamas

At Last - Etta James

In My Life - Beatles

If I Aint Got you - Alicia Keys

Unforgettable - Nat King and Natalie Cole

Feel Like Makin Love - Roberta Flack

Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

My Funny Valentine

Dont Know Why - Norah Jones

Ribbon In The Sky - Stevie Wonder

A Song For You - Donnie Hathaway

The Closer I get to you - Donnie Hathaway

The Nearness of You - Norah Jones

Someone Like You- Van Morrison

You Can Let Go- Crystal Schwanda

Here And Now-Luther Vandross

Make You Feel My Love - Adel

Let It Be Me - Ray LaMontagne

The Rose - Bette Midler 

 Rock and Roll

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

Proud Mary - Credence Clearwater

Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger

Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones

Twist and Shout - Beatles

Livin' On A Prayer-Bon Jovi

Don't Stop Believin'-Journey

Walk This Way-Aerosmith

You Shook Me All Night Long-AC/DC 

Motown, Soul and R&B

I'll Be Around - The Spinners

It Should've Been Me - Ray Charles

I Got A Woman - Ray Charles

Johnny Be Goode - Chuck Berry

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Aint Nothing like the Real Thing Baby - Marvin Gaye

Just The Two of Us- Grover Washington Jr.

Lets Stay together - Al Green

I Feel Good - James Brown

Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin

Lets Get It On - Marvin Gaye

Respect - Aretha Franklin

Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin

Where Is The Love - Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell

Aint No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell

Whats Goin On - Marvin Gaye

Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder

My Girl - Temptations

Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder

Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder

You Are the Sunshine of My life - Stevie Wonder

Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Say a Little Prayer - Dionne Warwick

You're All I Need To Get By - Marvin Gaye/ Tammi Terrell

I Wish - Stevie Wonder

Mustang Sally - Wilson Picket

I Second That Emotion-Smokey Robinson

Ain't Too Proud To Beg-Temptations

Hard To Handle - Otis Redding

 You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne 

70's / 80's / 90's / Contemporary Dance

Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead

Play that Funky Music - Wild Cherry

Aint Nobody - Chaka Khan

Lets Groove Tonight - Earth, Wind and Fire

Dont Leave me This way - Thelma Houston

Celebration - Kool and the Gang

Shining Star - Earth, Wind and Fire

I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston

Bad Girls - Donna Summer

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

We Are Family - Sister Sledge

Boogie Oogie Oogie - Taste of Honey

Good Times - Chic

Le Freak - Chic

September - Earth, Wind and Fire

Holiday-Madonna

Get Down Tonight-KC & the Sunshine Band

Lady Marmalade-Patti LaBelle

Rock With You-Michael Jackson

Billie Jean-Michael Jackson

Hey Ya-Outcast

Crazy In Love-Beyonce'

I Gotta Feelin'-Black Eyed Peas

There may be additional information at: http://www.anewgroove.com   

Mike,

HOLY SMOKES! those guys are unbelievable.  You wouldn't believe how many people came up to me asking me how I found the band and to tell me how amazingly good they were!  They totally made the night happen and I'm so glad I booked them.  It was worth every penny!

Rob 2011 Wedding

 

 

Hi Mike,

Just a quick note to let you know what an amazing job ANG did at our wedding on Saturday.  They were so amazing; I can't even believe how good they were.  I never dance, and did not plan on dancing, and yet I think I danced every song, along with everyone else! It was so funny to see all our family limping around the next day because they had danced for hours! The dance floor was packed from the first dance on to the last, and the next day I had people asking me about the band for their next party because they enjoyed them so much!  I have never had more fun at a wedding than I had at my own, and a large part of that was just how good the band was.  They interacted with the crowd just the right amount, and they even did a special "happy birthday" for my grandma's 90th birthday, which was beyond cool.  Leisa has an incredible voice, and they sang all my favorites. Thank you so much for working with me to coordinate this, I wish I could put into words how fun it was to see them play but I guess the memories will just have to do because words don't seem to do the experience justice! Thanks again!

 

Megan 10/29/11 wedding

 

 

Thank you Mike!

I can't tell you how many people came up to me to say what an amazing band we had. The song for our first dance was fantastic, and one guest even asked for Leisa's autograph! So, so great!

Thanks again,

Liz

8/7/10 wedding

 

 

Hi Mike,

A New Groove was AWESOME and soooo nice to work with!  Leisa was unbelievably flexible and patient with my VERY behind bride and groom.  She worked well with adjusting the timeline and keeping the night moving.  If you can send me her contact info, I would love to send a personal thank you.

Thanks so much and I will absolutely keep you guys in mind for my Seattle events.  A New Groove was AMAZING!

Best,

Shyla

Shyla Wilcynski   www.consciously-chic.com

6/12/2010 Portland Edgefield wedding

  

 

We were guests at a wedding in 2008 – Sean and I looked at one another and said that is our band!  They are lovely and I could not offer a better recommendation.  My husband is a musician and was blown away by their technical skills/sound.   I loved their sound, style and versatility.  Our wedding was such a joy and the dance floor was packed the entire evening.

 

Wishing you the best of luck!

Oh they traveled for our wedding too as we married n Sisters, Oregon.  Also I was at a wedding with them this past summer and am in a wedding they will play at this July!

Kind regards,

Meghan Malone 2009 Wedding

 

 

Hi Jeff,

I was referred to Mike Winkle by my wedding planner last year. Unfortunately, his band was not available for our wedding day, but he set me up with the band he manages, "A New Groove". I can't say I could be any happier in how it turned out. They were extremely flexible in how I wanted things arranged prior to and during the evening (I wanted to have the first dance about an hour ahead of the time I said I did because by then the photographers were on overtime!). We had a guitar and sax during dinner and then afterwards the whole band stepped in. Everyone was on time even though they drove from Portland to Seattle that day (VERY unpredictable traffic on that stretch of freeway). Of course, everyone was dressed beautifully and fit right in.

They learned our song for our first dance with no extra cost and to tell you how good they were my husband said to me while we were dancing, "I thought you said the band was going to play this song." I said, "They are!" (He had thought they were just playing the recording of Harry Connick's "Wink and a Smile").

They distinguished themselves a part from "the wedding band" in that all of the songs they played sounded like their own. My uncle who has owned a music store for about 30 years and mastered in music theory in college was absolutely impressed with how polished they all seemed - a relatively large ensemble that effortlessly blended together. They obeyed my requests for minimal speaking and for music themes I did not want played. They blended into the background during their breaks and were extremely lovely to work with. They also were able to gauge the feel of the crowd and knew what to play next in order to keep the mood going. When people mention my wedding - to this day they talk about how much fun they had and how awesome the band was. They truly capped off the most wonderful day of my life.

I think it's pretty obvious from my review that I would hire them again and to any/all my friends looking to get married - I tell them about A New Groove.

Congratulations on your engagement! Remember to stop and breathe on your wedding day and take a look around - it goes by so fast!

All the best,

Lindsay

2009 Seattle wedding

 

 

A New Groove was a raging success, people talked about them all night and have been all this morning as well. Again, thank you for everything (especially making me look like a genius for having the band)! I gave out a few of your cards with the band’s name on the back. As well, people are asking if they will be playing around Portland (I think the whole office are fans). If they ever do please let me know so I can pass on the word.

Have a wonderful holiday season!
Best,
Michaelene
Oliver Wyman-Delta Executive Learning Center
2007 Holiday party

 

To the members of A New Groove,
You all rocked our wedding! From the first song to the last, no one wanted to leave the dance floor. I think I heard people moan with sadness when you announced the last dance. The vocals were out of this world, but the entire band was simply stellar! We loved it and it truly helped to make our wedding unique and fun! Special thanks for learning our special songs on such short notice. As I am sure you sensed, we got countless compliments on the great band choice. We will recommend you to all our friends and family. Many thanks fo making our wedding the best day of our lives!
Fondly,
Kate & Jeremy
Seattle Wedding February 2008

 

Hi Mike, 
They were fantastic!!! From the very start, Leisa with her accompanist was so perfect with At Last and everyone I spoke to was so impressed with the range of music they did. The older standards and hey had everyone disco-ing and rockin thru the evening. Wished it could’ve gone on longer but it was probably a good thing we all stopped when we did or there would have been even more pain on Sunday. Anyway – nice job and thanks so much for all of your help in coordinating everything.
Sincerely. 
Patty
Aspen Creek wedding 8/9/08

 

 

Hi Mike:
Just wanted to drop a note and tell you how wonderful A New Groove was for our wedding on the 9th of august. Lisa was absolutely terrific and the rest of the band equally as good. We had about 240 guest and all loved the music and everyone was dancing until we had to shut it down. Please let them know how much we appreciated them! Definitely will recommend to anyone in the future.
Again, thanks Mike.
Diane
Bride 8/9/08 Aspen Creek Wedding

 

 

Mike,
We would like to extend our gratitude to you and the members of A New Groove! They looked (and more importantly) sounded perfect! Their music selection and sound was perfect for the event and our guests had nothing but gracious words regarding their performance. I have already highly recommended them to our circle of friends and family.
The reception went well and we again are thankful we did extensive research and found A New Groove.

Sincerely,
Allen & Kristine
8/1/09-Seattle Wedding

 

Thank you Mike and A New Groove for all your help in making our wedding fantastic!
Everyone had so many compliments about the band and how awesome they rocked! Our first dance was so good that Matt actually thought they were just playing the recording! You truly have a gem on your hands.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Lindsay and Matthew Piacek
8/8/09-Seattle Wedding

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