Bio

SHORT VERSION (253 words)

New York-born and Boston-bred, emerging saxophonist, composer, and educator Gregory Groover Jr has already left an indelible mark in the jazz world, in a short period. Saxophonist Walter Smith III describes him as  “a thematic musician, whose playing very much relates to the song. He plays with a lot of energy, and he leads with that. The heart is the most important thing – the direction and motion of what he plays is where he really feels.” Raised with a devotion to music, Groover’s artistry seamlessly marries genres as he continues to push the boundaries of jazz while honoring its deep legacy. 

Groover’s dedication to his craft and unwavering commitment to excellence have solidified his position as a prominent figure in the contemporary jazz scene. As a bandleader, Groover has released two albums (Negro Spiritual Songbook, Vol 1 & 2) and made his Criss Cross Records debut in April 2024 with his record, Lovabye. In addition to being a bandleader, Groover is a highly sought-after collaborator, having performed at music festivals in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.

As an educator, Gregory has served as the co-chair of music at his alma mater, the Boston Arts Academy, where he provided instruction in Jazz studies to the next generation of artists and scholars. Gregory currently serves as the Assistant Chair of Ensemble at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. His dedication to uplifting the next generation of artists underscores his belief in the transformative power of music.

Visual Assets

Credit: Ogata Photography

Quotes & Press

“[Groover’s] goal is not for the music to hit you in the head in an intellectual way. Rather, the goal is the feeling behind it, the emotive part of it. He has that at the forefront of his playing. It is the point of the whole thing. And he is very good at doing that. Greg’s composing supports how he plays. He’s a thematic musician, whose playing very much relates to the song. He plays with a lot of energy, and he leads with that. The heart is the most important thing – the direction and motion of what he plays is where he really feels.” - Walter Smith III

 “A truly beautiful album by Greg and this distinguished group of musicians. Lyrical and thoughtful compositions, amazing playing and, above all, a very unique vibe. This one has something for every jazz listener out there; highly recommended” - Miguel Zenon

“Greg Groover is a powerhouse musician of fiendish technical prowess that’s complimented by his gorgeous, lyrical sound. At the ICA/Boston, Groover and his fellow musicians captivated the audience with his emotionally potent, perfectly constructed compositions. Groover’s soul-stirring performance was a balm for the soul” - John Andress – Bill T. Jones Director and Curator of Performing Arts, ICA/Boston

“A stand musician, Gregory Groover Jr.,  celebrated the release of “Lovabye, at the historic Regattabar. Selling out two shows, to a high-powered crowd ready to be entwined in his original compositions. Gregory Groover Jr. is one of Regattabar’s Top Selling Artists.” -Regattabar

“In 1962, saxophonist Jimmy Heath released his follow up album to The Quota, entitled Triple Threat. This record showcased his status as a top tier player, composer, and arranger. In the past decade, I've had the pleasure of experiencing the same set of gifts coming from Gregory Groover. His newest outing as a leader showcases his brilliant playing alongside the wielding of his mighty composer's pen and his releases before this one gave the world his knack for putting negro spirituals into a creative, spontaneous arena that was exhilarating for me to take part in! I would go as far to say that Gregory is more than a Triple Threat, he's also a Triple Treat!!” - Jason Palmer

“As for the aptly named Groover, he often commands the status of an intrinsic storyteller; one who dispels the oversaturated airwaves as he weaves his enchanting tones with a polished feel that lies somewhere between precision and emancipation. He leads his eloquent compositions - each dedicated in tribute to an important figure in his life - with a skilled sense of compassionate grace. Listen, you can take the boy out of church, but... Much is to be said of this vibrant newcomer, whose impressive career stands as a testament to his remarkable affinity for other human beings.” - Barney Whittaker (Presto Music)

“Make a note of where you happen to be when you first hear Lovabye. A sacramental sextet on fire that cleaves to some key tenets in modernistic contemporary versions of hard bop and beyond. Yep, a pretty jaw dropping recording from the Boston tenor saxophonist Gregory Groover Jr… the very lush and at times romantic saxophonist whose sound connects with 1990s retro currents developed by the likes of Joshua Redman codified on Moodswing and revivified on the spirited message music of Long Gone. JD Allen, Melissa Aldana and Dayna Stephens are all in the vanguard of this New Melodicism as is Groover's fellow saxist Walter Smith III.” - Marblank Blog


Audio & Discography

Records As a Leader

  • Lovabye (Criss Cross Jazz 2024) Produced by Walter Smith III featuring: Aaron Parks, Joel Ross, Matthew Stevens, Vicente Archer & Marcus Gilmore

  • Negro Spiritual Songbook Vol. II (Jazz Urbane 2021) featuring: Jason Palmer, Clay Nordhill, Jesse Taitt, Max Ridley & Jharis Yokley

  • Negro Spiritual Songbook EP Vol. I (Self release 2018) featuring: Jesse Taitt, Changmin Jun & Jharis Yokley

The Negro Spiritual Songbook

Negro Spirituals are at the bedrock of the African American musical experience, providing the foundation upon which many genres that are enjoyed now were built. Although the composers of these spirituals are largely anonymous and nameless, their music named the non-anonymous tragedy of slavery, while also naming a steadfast hope for a better tomorrow -- maybe not for them, but for the future generation. The Negro Spiritual Songbook Volume I is a product of that hope from the future generation. It takes the words, melodies, and rhythms of that time and translates it into our current context of the twenty-first century. The result is a soulful celebration of what was, a dynamic presentation of what is, and a warm invitation for what is to come.

The passion for this project emanated from the transformative effect Negro Spirituals have had on my life both personally and professionally as a musician. The lyrics and harmonies instilled a deep sense of pride for the music of my heritage, helping me to have a better understanding of the jazz music I love to play. Therefore, this project was accomplished through thorough examination of original scores, deep analyses of historical elements, and honest adaptations of arrangements. The hope is that through touring The Negro Spiritual Songbook at non-conventional jazz venues, such as churches, colleges, and museums, the performances will not only be enjoyable but educational -- helping to bridge the gap across the many divides of society.

Endorsements

Gregory Groover Jr. is a Boston Sax Shop Brand Ambassador and endorses the following products:

  • Black and Silver Label Reeds (Size 4)

  • Ambassador Tenor Case

  • Superlative Silver Ligature

  • Newbury Street Neck Strap