Groovemeister

One of the finest and funkiest Bass players ever to come out of the South of England. Anyone forming a band in the Bournemouth area always wants Pat’s name on the teamsheet.

He worked and toured with Tom Robinson in the early 80's (Old Grey Whistle Test On The Road, Live at the Edinburgh Fringe, Japan, Europe) and then on to other projects working for many years with Howie Casey (Wings), Martin Jenner (Cliff Richard/Everley Bros). Toured Japan, Bulgaria, Germany, Iceland, Scandinavia and the Middle East.

He was the Bass player with Polydor signed band 'Seven' and toured with Brother Beyond (twice), Jason Donovan, The Monkees  and Richard Marx. Numerous TV, Radio and Concert appearances.

He spent some time in Dubai in the 90's with a jazz quartet and had the pleasure of working with the late Ronnie Scott’s Quartet and George Melly.

Back in the UK, Pat toured with 'The Official Tribute to the Blues Bros' and appeared with the show in the West End. He also worked extensively with The Smith Brothers Tribute to The Blues Brothers working for the BBC and BA and recorded with Rock and Roll legends Roy Young and Tony Sheridan (The Beatles).

In the Jazz field, Pat has worked with several top outfits and has had the pleasure of playing with Jim Mullen, Claire Martin, Jason Rebello, Ken Foley, Mornington Locket, Jeremy and Paul Stacey, Anthony Adams and the Simply Sinatra Big Band and The Roger Beaujolais Project.

As well as playing with Groovemeister, Pat is currently working  with Robert Hart’s Bad Company, Boogie Piano legend Roy Young and also with Jim Cregan and Gary Grainger from The Rod Stewart Band.

Pat also spent some years teaching Electric Bass at Bournemouth & Poole College of Music.

So, a busy and varied career for the man who puts the big fat grooves into Groovemeister.

Simon has been a first call session player for many years on the Bournemouth music scene.

Forming his own band The Stilettos 20 years ago, he has also played with many of the top bands in the area including stints with Howie Casey (Wings) and Robert Hart (Bad Company). 

He has also recently been doing album sessions with the fabulous Colin Blunstone of Zombies fame with top Producer Jon Sweet.

Another string to Simon’s bow has been demonstrating his virtuoso techniques by teaching at various schools in and around the Dorset area.

A true showman, Simon is an immensely talented Rhythm and Lead Guitarist who is at home with any style of music.

From laid back funky riffs to searing razor sharp solos, Simon really is an essential part of the Groovemeister sound.

The young fella who always lays it down tight and funky. Tom is Groovemeister’s secret weapon. 

Since starting on the kit at the tender age of nine, Tom who is Ian’s son, has been hearing funky grooves from his Dad’s record collection since day one and despite loving many different styles of music, the funk is in his blood!

Tom was taught by Jan Evans who is widely regarded as Bournemouth’s Steve Gadd and he got his beloved Pearl Masters kit at age 13. That was a helluva day when he walked in and saw that set up in his drum room.

Working his way up to Grade 8 on the kit and passing ‘A’ Levels in Music and Music Technology, Tom has been a mainstay in all his school productions at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole receiving rave reviews in the local press.

Always funky and clearly loving every minute with the band, Tom has truly earned his place in the Groovemeister set up.

You’ll normally find Andy set up in the corner of the Groovemeister stage playing wicked keyboard and synth lines with a big smile on his face.

Coming from a funky/acid jazz background, Andy loves the musicianship and feel good factor that Groovemeister create with their set.

He started playing keyboards in various bands in the early Eighties and joined a band that toured the American military bases visiting many countries including Japan, Korea and the Philippines. 

During this period of travelling the globe, Andy started writing his own songs and once back in England, teamed up with friend and song writing partner Lawrence Rudd. They soon secured a record deal with Bristol based record company Off The Wall Records and after a few years with Off The Wall, Andy and Lawrence moved to London to form a band to showcase their original songs.

The band, One People, played at top London Venues including Ronnie Scotts and The Jazz Café and also supported Mica Paris.

Jerry Meehan, now Robbie Williams’ Bass player, joined the band to assist with his song writing and production skills but the band separated in 1998 to pursue solo projects.

Back in Bournemouth, Andy soon formed a new song writing partnership which led to his songs getting to the top of the charts in the Far East and he continues song writing to this day. 

Andy loves playing live and in addition to Groovemeister, plays with several other bands and as a solo artist.

Ian joined Groovemeister when Emily, Ian Francis’ daughter, left to study music at University in London. 

Ian was a real find for the band with his fabulous blend of funky riffs and jazzy solos and since his first gig with them at a local wedding, he has now become a mainstay in the band.

Ian started his professional music career at age 16 when, straight after leaving school, he played a year’s residency at London’s Mayfair Hotel.

On the session front, Ian has recorded and played with artists such as Ruby Turner, Victoria Newton, Artoro Sandoval and many others.

Ian’s own Quartet plays a great mix of original material and reinvented standards and have appeared in top venues here and abroad such as The Royal Festival Hall, The Barbican Centre, Ronnie Scotts Club and London’s 606 Club.

Always able to crack the band up with his dry one liners, Groovemeister love having Ian up front and blowing up a storm.