THE COCKTAIL EXCITING LA AND THE WORLD
(By Kelly James)
Some might call it hubris, others might refer to it as confidence reinforced by talent and tenacity; whatever it is, the band Groove Martini has a warehouse supply full of it. In a town like Los Angeles that contains so many talented musicians & legendary artists, the belief that you can get noticed and make a difference…well, it’s exactly this kind of self-value that is required to manifest just such a reality. Of all the great equalizers in the world, talent may be the epitome. There is no denying it. While much of the world draws lines around national borders, race, sex, and other characteristics, the beacon of true talent illuminates for all to see. Groove Martini is proving to crowds across the U.S. and the world that what you look like on the outside is easily overshadowed by the artistic prowess you possess on stage. The members of this “party band” may appear highly diverse in aesthetics but their sound is so congruent and exemplary that they have taken their place as one of the premier bands in one of the most elite music cities on the planet.
The ensemble consists of musicians from many different geographic locations who migrated to LA because of its prominence in the music industry. Many a musician has moved to this mecca of entertainment and music and left after receiving conquering blows. Groove Martini is the brainchild of Nipun Nair. MD/Bassist Nair obtained some of the finest musicians in the LA scene and created original arrangements of some of the most popular tunes for a “party band” and stipulated that they be played completely live, no tracks whatsoever! While he professes no judgment of those who use tracks to augment their sound, it’s obvious from watching Groove Martini perform that the spontaneity of the band would like be shackled by such constraints.
In an extremely short amount of time Groove Martini has become a mainstay of the LA scene. They’ve been featured the past two years in LA’s Music Connection magazine. Their popularity has seen them featured on television programs around the US alongside well-known artists like REO Speedwagon, Carlos Santana, Zoe Bowie, Frankie Moreno, and others. In the entertainment capital of Las Vegas, Groove Martini’s New Year’s Eve gig for the past two years has become the stuff of legend. LV is known as the prime destination for a good time and no night tops NYE. The Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas has enlisted the band to create the vibe that everyone wants for this epic entrée into the new year.
As the band’s recognition has increased so has their sphere of gigs. GM finds themselves frequently flying to international destinations for prestigious events, such as the International Summit of Excellence in the Dominican Republic. The band headlined this massive event in 2017 with the ideal backdrop of sun, sand, food, and good times. Events all over the world seem particularly inclined to the band and while most of this is a result of word of mouth concerning their high energy shows, there’s one specific facet that also helps. MD Nair remarks, “It wasn’t thought out to have the band be culturally diverse, it’s just part of living in LA. Playing around town and meeting other artists…it’s just natural that you’re going to work with people from a lot of different places. Our guitarist (Leo) hails from Singapore. Both of our vocalists are from the other side of the globe; one is Indian, and the other is from Kazakhstan. We find ourselves representing a wide variety of cultures both within America and around the world. We have representation from India, Singapore, Korea, France, Kazakhstan, Chicago, New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Arizona. We are proud to represent the entire world and to do so through music. Though not a conscious decision, it’s constantly the talk of our performances…about how diverse the band is and how fascinating it is to the public that people from all corners of the world can come together to play the same music so powerfully. In fact, we are about to launch a single shortly about exactly that… it’s called ‘UNITE’ and it talks about people coming together from all parts of the world, seeing the things we all share, and how much we can learn from each other to grow stronger. The Diversity has been an awesome gift to the unique sound of the band.”
One of Groove Martini’s most ardent admirers is in the family of music royalty. When the group performed (after being notified only the night before) at an Industry Showcase held by Calvin Hardaway (Stevie Wonder’s brother), he was so enthusiastic that he signed them to the “Stevie Wonder’s Development Project.” The crowd at the showcase that night included members of Wonder’s own band who communicated their enthusiasm about Groove Martini’s sound and set that night. As a result, the band has worked with Hardaway and been booked onstage around the country with artists like Hall and Oates, Michael McDonald, and others performing for crowds in excess of 10,000. When the band is not on these mammoth stages around the US and the world, they can be seen back home in LA as they host the Social Underground (Jam Night) in DTLA. Groove Martini created this evening of music/social event to facilitate the sense of community among musicians; the same type that helped them discover their own path to success. The Core Members of the Social underground launched a Non-Profit Organization called “Cue The Music” who’s primary goal is to provide music education to children who do not have access to it. Whether it be on a tropical beach or in a bustling LA club, Groove Martini is there bringing excitement, positivity, and great music.
