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Grogus: Athens' Own Salsa Band
Text and photos by José Romero
With a striking combination of sones, chachacas, jases and other rhythms, the band Grogus made it clear that they are Athens' own salsa band. Composed of eight musicians, the band made their audience at the bar Last Call in downtown Athens get up out of their seats and dance non-stop until 2 in the morning on Wednesday, January 14. At a more recent performance, Grogus got everyone fired up at the 40 Watt club on February 13 for a pre-Valentine's Day celebration. Grogus was the flame that lit up the dance floor and set the stage for the band DubConscious, who performed songs from their new CD.
The members of Grogus are of different nationalities and the majority of them are music students at the University of Georgia. The members of the band are Kevin Hyde, David Nelsen, Marlon Patton, Nathalie Dickerson, Aramis "el cubano" Ferrer, Ryan "manito" Wendell, Darren Stanley, and Carl Linelberg.
With more than five years of experience performing, the band has been specifically performing salsa for more than a year, and wherever they go they are recognized as the Classic City ambassadors of salsa music.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of this talented band's performances, go! You won't regret it. Their next performance will be Friday, Febraury 13 at 10 p.m. at the 40 Watt in downtown Athens on the corner of Washington and Pulaski.
For more information or for booking information, call 706-546-8422 or 706-543-3098.
Grogus: La banda de salsa de Athens
texto y fotos por José Romero
Con una buena combinación de sones, jases, chachacas y otros ritmos, la agrupación Grogus dejó claro que son la banda de salsa de Athens. Integrada por ocho músicos, la banda hizo que los presentes en el bar Last Call del centro de Athens, se levantaran de sus asientos y se mantuvieran en movimiento hasta las 2 de la mañana del miércoles, 14 de enero. También y en una presentación más reciente, Grogus, calentó los motores de los asistentes en el club 40 Watt el pasado 13 de Febrero en una celebración previa del día de los enamorados. Grogus fue la chispa que encendió la sala de baile y dejó la escena servida para que la agrupación DubConscious que realizaban la presentación de su nuevo cd.
Los integrantes de Grogus poseen diferentes nacionalidades, en su mayoría son estudiantes de música de la Universidad de Georgia y tienen más de 10 años de experiencia en el ambiente musical de Athens.
Los integrantes de la banda son: Kevin Hyde, David Nelsen, Marlon Patton, Nathalie Dickerson, Aramis "el cubano" Ferrer, Ryan "manito" Wendell, Darren Stanley y Carl Linelberg. Si tiene la oportunidad de presenciar una presentación de esta talentosa agrupación, ¡hágalo!, no se arrepentirá.
Para más información o contrataciones, comunícate al 706-546-8422 o 706-543-3098.
- Text and photos by José Romero
Discography
EP TBR Fall 2005
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Grogus, forming in 2002 as a side project of renowned jazz quartet Squat, combines various musical elements, including, but definitely not limited to, Latin jazz, salsa, Afro-Caribbean jazz, and even reggae. Initially, Grogus began by adding percussionists and woodwinds to the Squat line up, providing a medium for experimenting with a larger ensemble. The sound drew heavily upon the Latin jazz and funk arrangements of musicians like Tito Puentes, Thelonius Monk, Horrace Silver and Duke Ellington. Later, a more emphasized horn section, piano, and vocals were added, and the group began learning material from Cuban composer and musician Israel “Cachao” Lopez. Defining the sound of Grogus today, the ensemble incorporates Afro-Cuban and Caribbean dance and vocal music, including son, descarga, and salsa.
In a single show, or song for that matter, Grogus goes from subtle and whispering, to slamming and wailing, and merges components from all types of world music. This diversity is credited to its ever-evolving cast of musicians and instrumentation, sometimes performing with as few as five, or as many as eighteen pieces. True to its sound, Grogus is comprised of a wide ranging group of musicians and a plethora of musical backgrounds. Members of Grogus have been included in World Sacred…, Jazz and Vienne… Montreauz Jazz… and Widespread Panic. The group has been a long-standing staple of the Athens music scene and has enjoyed performances at the Human Rights Festival, AthFest, Shanti Music and Arts Festival, Relay for Life, and the Sun Ray Music Festival. Grogus was also honored with a Flagpole Music Award for Best Jazz Band in 2005.
Grogus’s intentions are far reaching. The group strives to promote cultural survival through music, sustainability, spiritual sustenance, and symbiosis of all world styles, while inspiring celebration, joy, love, and laughter, and of course bootie shakin’. “Music is the gift we have and we have a responsibility to share. It feels good,” says founding member and bandleader Carl Lindberg.
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