Groove X is a high‑energy, NOLA‑inspired funk band bringing big‑band swagger and jam‑band spirit to the North Shore.

Founded in 2023 by a group of seasoned musicians, the band blends the infectious rhythms of New Orleans with the feel‑good funk and modern pop that keep dance floors packed.

Their sound draws from the Crescent City’s finest—Galactic, Trombone Shorty, Eric Krasno, and the jam‑friendly grooves of String Cheese Incident—and mixes it with crowd‑pleasing favorites from Bruno Mars, Sly & The Family Stone, Lake Street Dive, Tower of Power and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The result is a vibrant, horn‑driven, party‑starting experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

At a Groove X show, the energy is unmistakable.

The rhythm section lays down deep, rolling pockets; the horns punch with precision and joy; and the band stretches songs into moments of improvisation that nod to New Orleans street funk and modern jam‑band exploration. Every performance is built for movement, connection and that unmistakable “let’s keep this going” feeling.

Groove X isn’t just a band—it’s a party.
A community of musicians who love what they do, playing music that brings people together, lifts the room and turns every show into a shared experience.

 

About GROOVE X

Groove X is a high‑energy, NOLA‑inspired funk band powered by nine seasoned North Shore musicians.

With horn‑driven swagger and dance‑floor‑ready grooves, the band blends Crescent City influences like Galactic, Trombone Shorty, Eric Krasno and String Cheese Incident with crowd‑pleasing favorites from Bruno Mars, Sly & The Family Stone, Lake Street Dive, Tower of Power and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Every show is a joyful, high‑octane party built for dancing, connection and pure musical fun.

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THE BAND

Groove X is powered by nine musicians who bring their own flavor, history and heartbeat to the band.

Together, they create the horn‑driven, NOLA‑inspired sound that defines every show. Meet the players who make the magic happen.”

Zuck transitioned from "air drumming" to real drumming in high school after watching his best friend Dweck play drums to Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused”. Zuck joined his first band at 17 after posting an ad at a Sam Ash Music store in New York that said: “Drummer looking to join Rock or Funk Band”. After 30+ years of listening to James Brown and Stevie Wonder and never playing in a Funk Band, Zuck brings the thump to Groove X. He is SO excited to play in a funk band and can often be seen smiling uncontrollably (and losing concentration) when the horns start doing their magic.

Zuck

Drums

Jim

Trombonery

He's long, and he's strong and wields the biggest weapon in the band. Jim’s been playing the trombone for a really long time, and leads the Groove X horn section. Well versed in jazz, rock, funk and soul, Jim’s involved in many groups including leading the horn section in Groove X. If you want to see him elevate his game, he responds better to beer than applause.

Raised in New Orleans and a musician since grade school, vocalist Cat brings the lusty influences of the south to Groove X. She is fond of mixing genres to create a funky roots-meets-psychedelic soul vibe. In 2018, Cat released Hwy 55, an LP of swampy R&B and southern rock originals. You can also catch her playing guitar with classic rock band Artificially Hip and singing in jam-oriented Victor Brown Band. Cat has a fascination with the world of carnys, enjoys awkward moments and plays a mean vibroslap. She knows you can’t overdose on music, but she just might die trying.

Cat

Lead Vocals

Eric

Lead and Rhythm Guitar

At 14 years old, the trajectory of Eric’s life changed when his older brother took him to see the Grateful Dead. He was both inspired and mesmerized by the sweet sounds of Jerry Garcia’s guitar and started playing the following day. In his 20’s and 30’s he often played at the famous Chicago blues clubs with many of the legends. After a 15-year hiatus, he’s found a new home playing funky rhythms and virtuoso solos for Groove X. He’s affectionately called “The Sandbagger” as often times during rehearsals, he’ll tell the band he’s not familiar with a tune, and then crank out a solo that sounds like Jimi Hendrix meets Carlos Santana

"Sexy Mike" is a musical lifer. He started playing trombone in 4th grade, keyboards in middle school, and majored in music in college while learning classical guitar. He binged on grunge for 10 years, and his goto bands are Nirvana, Metallica and Bush. Mike writes and records original music and has been in bands that play rock, country, metal, and now his first funk band. Although he doesn't sweat like James Brown, or do splits like Bruno Mars, he brings the same energy when you put a microphone in his hand.

Mike C

Lead Vocals + Guitar

Christopher

Keyboards and Backing Vocals

Singer/songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Christopher started playing piano, cello, and guitar in primary school, and studied Music Theory and Composition in college where he played in jazz ensembles and in campus rock bands. He is a Certified Sound Engineer and had worked in Chicago recording studios. He has recorded his own original songs as well as composed soundtracks for industrial films and movie trailers. Most recently he performs in the music duo “Great Hair Day,” and in the bands High Water, GrooveX, Almost Wednesday, and the Hot Pepper Jam house band.

“Saxy Mike” started back in the 70's touring with the Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey Bands and backing up famous artist such as Bo Diddley, Chubby Checker, and Eddie "the Chief" Clearwater. He has recorded at the iconic Chess Records studio in Chicago and has played in many jazz, rock, and classical bands such as Not For Profit, Highland Park Pops, Funktonic, and Notre Dame Reunion Jazz Orchestra. He plays 3 saxophones (tenor, baritone and soprano), which has earned him the Groove X nickname “Saxy Mike”.

Mike W

Saxophones

Jerry

Trumpet + Backing Vocals

Jerry picked up the trumpet in the fifth grade; A: to be able to stop taking piano lessons, and B: he was impressed that three or four of them could make more noise than the twenty or so violins at the orchestra concerts that his parents dragged him to. Flash forward to years later and he now appreciates greatly both the piano lessons and the orchestra concerts, and has a ton of passion for playing his trumpet, especially for people looking to dance! He honed his chops playing groovadelichopalatinreggafunkajazz with MWC, and still can be seen melting faces with Jack Salamander and touching souls with Otter Finn. It was also an honor to hook up with Bears with Eagle Arms during a five year foray to Denver. Oh, how he misses his glockenspiel! Also proud to spend time as a member of the horn section for Doko Benjo. He is thrilled to get back into a section setting with such a tight group. Come get your groove on!

Patrick avoided piano lessons growing up. His grandmother always told him that he would regret not taking up music in some form at a young age. However that all changed at the age of 14 when a close friend gave him a bass to help fill out a band. Growing up listening to a lot of Motown, blues, funk and jazz, the bass soon became a natural fit. He soon fell in love with it. When he's not playing bass, Patrick enjoys traveling and traversing hole in the wall joints to find the perfect tavern syle pizza. In joining GrooveX Patrick brings the funky, deep low end to the rhythm section.

Pat

Bass