Jack S.
Jack S.
Jack S.
Jack S.
Maggie & Brent
Maggie & Brent
Amy & Tom
Amy & Tom
Stephanie
Stephanie
Contemporary Dance
Old School Classics
You want to have all your friends saying “Holy Crap, this was the craziest fun party I’ve ever been to!” Chicago Groove Collective’s energy is nuclear. CGC is an 8-11-piece high energy dance band that will electrify the dance floor. From old school classics to modern hits, CGC is sure to ignite the party with their dynamic playing, soulful vocals and funky grooves. Hire them for your Chicago wedding, corporate event, or private event and we guarantee the result will blow your mind!
vocals, harmonica & piano
Your feet can’t stop moving when Derrick starts singing. His energy stops people in their tracks and the grovel in his voice is so powerful it will blow you over. He is a true legend in Chicago and leads Chicago Groove Collective with style.
Sweet Harmony
A native of Milwaukee, Derrick Procell started his professional career at age sixteen in Nashville. A triple-threat on vocals, piano and harmonica, Procell is a veteran of the Chicago nightclub scene where he has been the lead singer for many of Chicago’s top bands. His voice has been featured in TV and Radio commercials for Ford, McDonald’s, Sears and Subway, as well as numerous TV shows such as Boston Legal, Criminal Minds and My Name is Earl. An award-winning songwriter as well as performer, Derrick’s music has been recorded by a variety of musicians such as the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and Melissa Manchester. He has recently released a CD titled ‘Why I Choose To Sing The Blues’ with self-penned songs and songs co-written with Grammy winner Terry Abrahamson.
“He’s an incredible guy to have in front of the band,” says nationally known band leader Bobby Schiff. “He has amazing energy and his singing stops people in their tracks. But he’s also a real pro who is easy to work with and really conscientious.”
Derrick Procell
vocals, harmonica, piano
vocals
Lina is a powerhouse across music styles. She’s adept at soulful renditions of the great Motown classics and has the most amazingly pure tone to master those pop hits. She is sweet, caring, and ready to sweep you off your feet and make you say “WOW.”
Pop Princess Power
Born and raised in Chicagoland, Lina has been singing and studying vocal performance for most of her life and started singing in church at age 3. She later received a B.F.A. in musical theater at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and continued training in New York City. She has performed in regional and Chicago theaters including, Aint MisBehavin at the Goodman Theater. Her favorite performances include Rent, Cabaret, Company, Ragtime, and grooving to the popular 1950s songs in Smokey Joe’s Cafe. She has also been seen in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donnie Osmond. Her voice has taken her to Europe as well as to the pitcher’s mound, singing the National Anthem for both the Chicago Cubs and White Sox. She has sung with bands regionally and continues to sing in church as a worship leader at Harvest Bible Chapel Chicago.
Lina Wass
vocals
vocals
Marcus has a killer personality and stage presence that is guaranteed to light a fire under your feet. His spectacular voice and ridiculous range are beyond compare.
Little Stick of Dynamite
St. Louis, Missouri native Marcus Terrell is no stranger to the stage. Raised in the church where gospel music was a way of life, he got involved with various choirs and ensembles in school. He has competed on NBC’S America’s Got Talent, FOX’S American Idol, MTV’S Making The Band 4, The Glee Project, TLC’S RU The Girl, The Missy Elliott Project and TruTV’S Killer Karaoke.
Marcus Terrell
vocals
vocals
Rob is the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet who turns into a dynamic performer when he has a mic in his hands. He is a true class act in his community and in the band, Chicago Groove Collective. He’s got the rhythm, he’s got the groove, so get out on the dance floor and let his voice make you swoon.
Silky Smooth Class
Chicago native Rob Bady grew up in a family steeped in the great tradition of gospel music. At age 10, he joined the family band, “The Righteous Four” with brothers Percy, Ray, O.D., Jr. and George. The group later became known as “The Bady Brothers”. Brothers Percy and Ray have gone on to achieve phenomenal success in the music industry. He met his wife, Mollie, also a vocalist, in college and Rob began to truly hone his skills as a singer. He has sung backup vocals for R. Kelly, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, and Percy and Ray Bady. His CD titled ‘Gospel Journey’ was recorded with his group Reba Praise in 2006. Gospel music started his musical journey, but Rob loves to sing Soul, Funk, R&B and Jazz.
Robert Bady
vocals
saxophone
Aaron intrigues the audience’s ear as he puts his interesting takes on familiar songs. He is a great composer and arranger, bringing a melodious quality and fiery solos to the band’s horn section. Along with his quirky sense of humor, Aaron loves the element of surprise. Let him rip on that sax and the crowd will take note and applaud with vigor.
Mystery Man
After completing graduate studies at the prestigious Eastman School of Music and working two years as a musical director with Carnival Cruise Lines, this Detroit-born saxophonist, arranger, and composer moved to Chicago in 1999. Now settled in the city, Aaron performs and writes for an array of musical organizations, including his own 13-piece ensemble, M13. Equally at home playing alto, tenor, soprano saxophone and flute, Aaron has performed throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. He currently teaches music theory and jazz saxophone at the Merit School of Music and performs regularly at Quenchers and the Green Mill in Chicago.
Aaron McEvers
saxophone
trumpet
Mitch is always either smiling, dancing, singing, or at least snapping to the music. He has the ability to easily adapt to any tune being sung or played, joining in with powerful, energetic sound. When he’s performing his joy is infectious to the audience and band members alike.
"The Lip"
Mitch Goldman plays Trumpet, Flugelhorn, guitar and adds vocals with many acts including The Bluesniks, Summer of Love Tribute, Patois6, Nouveau, Soul Committee, Mad Dogs and Englishmen (Joe Cocker Tribute Band), Not for Profit Band, Derrick Procell and the Redeemers, and is a member of horn sections including The JAM Horns, and The Greedy Blasters. He appears on multiple recordings at Crime Dog Studios.
He has played, recorded or shared the stage with The Doobie Brothers, The Smithereens, Rick Derringer, Terrell Stafford, Rufus Reid, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, The English Beat, and many more.
Mitch Goldman
trumpet
piano
As a keyboardist, producer, composer/arranger, and engineer, Vijay is one of Chicago’s most sought-after musicians. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to music with many styles in his repertoire from jazz, Motown, classic rock to pop. He evokes emotion through his playing that will pull on your heartstrings and has a wicked sense of humor on top of that.
Whole Lotta Key Whiz
Vijay Tellis-Nayak has received accolades for his prodigious musical talents since childhood. He began studying classical piano at the age of 5 and by 11 had won numerous awards for his symphonic compositions. Vijay attended Northwestern University receiving an undergraduate degree in Music Technology and a Masters degree in Rhetoric/Mass Media. As a keyboardist he has performed with top artists in genres ranging from jazz to pop to musical theater. Some of these include Jennifer Hudson, Chuck Berry, Randy Brecker, Wicked, The Supremes, The Lion King, Howard Levy, Joe Piscopo, Umphrey’s McGee, Fareed Haque, Bill Dickens, Congolese Soukous legend Diblo Dibala, Frank Catalano, John Moulder, John McLean, and Grazyna Auguscik. As an engineer/producer/studio-musician he has worked with top local and national acts including Los Lobos, Donny McCaslin/John Moulder, Oz Noy, Naked Raygun, Howard Levy, Trio Globo, Candyrat Records, Joe Locke/John McLean, and many more.
Vijay Tellis-Nayak
keyboard
drums
Frank undeniably has the deepest groove in the universe and consistently guarantees that Chicago Groove Collective lives up to its name. He has the incredible ability to memorize all music so he can focus on the feeling his music creates. It is no surprise that people travel from all over to try and capture a fraction of his talent. If Frank is slammin’ those drums, you’re movin’ your feet.
Groove? Check.
Frank Check was raised in a multicultural area outside of Chicago where he was exposed to Rock, Jazz, Funk, Gospel and World music. He began playing drums at the age of two and by age twelve he had his first gig with Elliot Wimbush at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. Frank has earned many awards as a jazz soloist, as well as the First Choir Award from Instrumentalist Magazine, three Woody Herman Jazz Awards, The John Phillip Sousa Award and the prestigious Semper Fidelis Award from the United State Marine Corp. Frank finished his Master of Music degree in World Percussion at Northern Illinois University and played with The Shadows of Knight, the 1960s rock group famous for their rendition of the song Gloria. Frank has played across the United States, Canada, England, France and South Korea and currently teaches percussion and steel band at Waubonsee Community College.
Frank Check
drums
bass
As a musical Rock of Gibraltar, Jim emanates groove from his bass. Always calm, cool, and collected he knows how to lay down the sickest bass ever. Next to Frank on drums, they become a dynamic duo setting the beat and tone for your party and keeping that dance floor thumping!
Big Bad Bass
When not playing bass, Chicago native, Jim Cerceo, is a producer and composer whose successes include scoring music for A&E’s hit show American Justice and appearing on NBC’s The Today Show. Jim has performed at many venues including Soldier Field, Grant Part, the United Center, Fox Theater and McCormick Place. As a graduate of the University of Miami, he studied Studio Music and Jazz.
Jim Cerceo
bass
guitar
Tom is an incredibly well-rounded guitar player with easy going vibes and the utmost professionalism. You can count on Tom to always be prepared, fit right in with the music, and put up a stellar performance.
Jammin’ Chameleon
Chicago-native Tom Vitacco has made his living as a guitarist, session player, arranger and producer in the music industry for 30+ years. His ability to cover a wide range of musical genres is impressive and likely the reason he is one of the most in-demand session players in Chicago. He has performed live with numerous recording artists, including Kirk Whalum (Larry Carlton, Whitney Houston) & Shawn Christopher (Shaka Khan, Sonya Dada). Tom was the house guitar player for Chicago Singer Spotlight at Fitzgerald’s for 15 years until its final show in January of 2016. He has worked with a number bands locally, including Vern Spevak Big Band and his live theater performance includes Wicked, Aida, Working, Rent, Billy Elliot and Bye Bye Birdie.
Tom Vitacco
guitar