ARTIST BIO
The Brothers Groove are perhaps most conveniently described as a jazz funk trio with bluesy, soulful vocals. Their music exudes a sly, savvy funkiness sprinkled with unique characters, harmonies, and ideas. Chris Codish (keyboard/vocals) has penned songs that include “pressure cookers, iron pimps, and beautiful women from other realms.” These he paints in smokey hues with his intimate baritone while James Simonson (bass) and Skeeto Valdez (drums) lay down a rock solid pocket underneath (both are also explosive, dynamic soloists in their own right).
While there’s nothing the Brothers like better than to “put it in the pocket” they hold in reserve the musical chops to “push it into the red” and love to jam with each other or any of their many “all-star” musical friends who might chance to drop by. However far out these improvisational flights might go they never lose that solid dance groove and they never forget that that jazz was, and still is, a “dance” music.
They’ve released three CDs (“Clamp It Down” “Layin’ In The Cut” and “So Glad you Came”) and have individually and collectively won over 40 Detroit Music Awards. In 2003 they were hand picked by Bose to exemplify and demonstrate the use of the new L1 Personal Amplification System. They’ve been featured on the cover of Metro Times and The Record (Detroit’s Music Journal) which asked in a cover story if they were “Detroit’s Hippest Band?” Give the Brothers Groove a listen and decide for yourself.
MORE ABOUT THE BROTHERS GROOVE
DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS
The Brothers Groove
Outstanding Urban/funk artist/group: 2010, 2009, 2004, 2003, 2002
Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist/Group: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2001
Outstanding Live Performance: 2007
Outstanding Jazz Recording “Clamp it Down” 2001
2010 (not eligible) Special Honoree for winning three years in a row Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist or group
2005 (Not eligible) Special Honoree for winning three years in a row Outstanding Urban/funk artist/group
Hour Detroit Magazine Best of Detroit 2007- “Next local band to make it big The Brothers Groove.”
Detroit Free Press Top five Discs of Detroit 2000 “Clamp it Down”
2002 Real Detroit Weekly “Best of Detroit Issue”: Best Weekly Bar Band: The Brothers Groove
2001 Real Detroit Weekly “Best of Detroit” Issue “Best Blues Band” The Brothers Groove
2000 Jim Beam B.E.A.M Grant Recipient: The Brothers Groove
2003 Smokey Award Contemporary group of the year: The Brothers Groove
Chris Codish
Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist: 2008
Outstanding Urban/Funk Musician: 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999
Outstanding Urban/Funk Songwriter: 2010, 2009, 2004, 2003, 2002
Outstanding Funk Vocalist: 2002
Outstanding Blues Instrumentalist:2002, 1999
Outstanding Jazz Vocalist: 2010, 2001
Outstanding Jazz Composer: 2010
Outstanding Blues/R&B Writer: 2010, 2001, 2000
Performer Deserving Wider Recognition, Blues 1997
2000 Real Detroit Weekly “Best of Detroit” Issue “Best Keyboardist” Chris Codish
Production work:
Outstanding National Small/Independent Label Recording: 2010 Johnnie Bassett "The Gentleman Is Back" 2010 Blues Awards Best Traditional CD nominee Johnnie Bassett "The Gentleman Is Back" (Produced by Chris Codish with Keith Kaminski) Included in the International list of Famous Waldorf Alumni
Skeeto Valdez
Outstanding Urban/Funk Musician 2010
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