The Brothers Groove

The Brothers Groove formed in Detroit in the summer of 1999. Singer/songwriter/keyboardist Chris Codish met bassist James Simonson at a casual coffee house jazz gig. Both were in demand side men regularly performing with established groups, but the duo knew they could put their own stamp on the Detroit sound. Michael Caskey was brought in on drums and the trio released their first CD “Clamp it Down” to rave reviews (The Detroit Free Press included it in the top 5 Detroit Discs of 2000). After Mike Caskey left in 2001 (ultimately moving on to Chicago) guitarist Erik Gustafson (Larval, Blue Dog) and drummer Todd Glass (Hemigod, Twistin’ Tarantulas) joined the group and The Brothers Groove released “So Glad You Came” in 2003. The band went through a few more changes but is now back to a trio featuring Skeeto Valdez(Trey Anasatsio 70 Volt Parade, King Konga) on drums.
They have performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival, NXNE, SXSW, as well as holding house gigs at venues like The Music Menu, 5th Ave Billiards, and The Buzz Bar. The band was hand selected by Bose corporation to use and demonstrate the revolutionary L1 Personal Amplification System (a state-of-the-art loudspeaker system that provides a hi-fidelity listening experience.) They backed up Johnnie Bassett on his award winning release "The Gentleman Is Back" (which Chris Codish produced with Keith Kaminski for Sly Dog records.) The band also appears in the upcoming motion picture “Little Murder” shot in Detroit, as well as appearing on the award winning “Local Boys” CD and DVD” from The Motor City Horns (Bob Seger, Alexander Zonjic). The band and it’s members have won over 30 Detroit Music Awards as well as other accolades and continue to perform regularly for enthusiastic audiences as well as create and record music in their mid town studio (less than a mile from Motown’s original location.)

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