Born: March 14 Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra
The GROOVALOTTOS (n. Groov-a-lot-os) �” 1) the product of a stylistically mixed musical marriage. 2) a quartet of musicians who make some of the funkiest soul music to ever come out of New England. 3) One of the best times you’ll have on the dance floor with a live band.
The GROOVALOTTOS are comprised of E Ray J (Eddie Ray Johnson), drums and vocals; Mwalim “Daphunkeeprofessor”, keyboards and vocals; James “The Big Bad” Wolf, lead guitar; and Nick “Papa Smurf” Wolf, bass.
The band formed in 2009 when veteran blues guitarist, James Wolf wanted to assemble a band of some of the hippest soul-funk-blues players in the area. One night, he heard Mwalim, a NAMMY nominated and Urban Music Award winning soul-funk-jazz artist play keyboards and sing at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. Wolf introduced Mwalim to his long-time collaborator: drummer and vocalist, E Ray J and the trio began jamming together, deciding to pursue an original band project. Soon, Wolf’s son, Nick joined in on the sessions, adding just the right groove with his nimble, yet focused bass playing.
Armed with a slew of original funky tunes by Mwalim as well as some re-tooled covers, the band premiered in March of 2011 at the Cape Cod Community College’s Multicultural Festival, and later that night at Grumpy’s Pub the band has quickly grown in reputation as one of the most entertaining bands in New England.
To further explore their sound, the band decided to record a live E.P. on an old, analog eight-track, resulting in a raw, funky, gritty four-song “Live As Funk” features 8-track recordings of four of their original tunes, taking us back to the days of vinyl records.
