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Links: www.vinx.com

Style: Jazz, African, Soul, Groove, World
Origin: USA
Touring party: 5
Territory: Exclusive Europe
Availability: on request

VINX is an international recording artist and Berklee College of Music educator, Vinx is as close as you'll find to a 21st century Renaissance Man.  He has lived a big life and has shown immense talent in multiple areas.  He has performed with such notable artists as Ernie Watts, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Cassandra Wilson, Rickie Lee Jones and Taj Mahal.  Known to music fans as a percussionist and vocalist, his music is classified by some as jazz, by some as world music and by others as soul.  There is no denying that it remains accessible to a wide variety of audiences for the very reason that it reflects the wealth of his experience and breadth of his interests.

“Vinx is the gift you give to someone that you really care about."
~ STEVIE WONDER

"Imagine a classic R&B voice like those of Sam Cooke or Al Jarreau singing a cappella over a boisterous percussion troupe and you might get a hold on Vinx's magic...It's his yearning voice, alternately full of both anguish and joy, that makes you listen."
~ MODERN DRUMMER

There´s 2 Live Shows available:

1) SOLO SHOW - PURE SINGER´S SOUL FOOD
His stage presence and personal warmth make his shows a unique and unforgettable experience. His rhythmic roots lie in the music of Africa, Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean Islands.
With his velvet timbre and impressive compositions that include elements of American love songs and world music, he suceeded in attracting stars like Herbie Hancock, Sheryl Crowe, Branford Marsalis, Mother's Finest, Taj Mahal and Bill Summers to appear on his debut album, which was produced by none other than Sting! He subsequently collaboratted with Stevie Wonder, Cassandra Wilson, Peter Gabriel, Sinead O'Connor, Elton John, Zucchero, Third World, Manhattan Transfer, Toni Childs, Yothu Yindi, Zap Mama and other top names on the international music scene. He is also known from performances with his trio "JUNGKE FUNK" featuring Will  Calhoun and Doug Wimbish.

In his current show, “Pure Singer’s Soul Food,” Vinx serves up a five-course musical meal of a cappella singing, live percussion, technically enhanced multi-vocal acrobatics, songs and improvisation.

2) VINX & THE GROOVE HEROES - featuring VINX on vocals/percussion, LINLEY MARTHE(Zawinul...) on bass, PATRICK DORCEAN(Zap Mama...) on drums, AMMA WHATT on vocals, tapdancer LEE PAYNE and DJ GRAZZHOPPA

If you are familiar with Vinx at all, you will know that he is most comfortable when he's not comfortable.  For the past 20 years, Vinx has traveled the world and has worked with amazing artists along the way.  In Montreaux, Switzerland he introduced the first drum band to the international music festival circuit.  He followed that up with his ambitious solo tour, One Man One Voice One Drum, and the critically acclaimed, DJ influenced, live drum and bass project, Jungle Funk, which featured the Living Color rhythm section.  Groove Heroes will have a similar impact on the scene.  Their cult-like following is sure to grow.  In a world where music is predictable this group's music is welcomed and completely unexpected.

Featuring the most cutting edge, experimental funk/jazz artists from Africa, Europe and the States, Vinx's newest Improvisational Experience, Groove Heroes, combines funky bass lines, hard grooving drumming, improvisational vocals and the latest vocal technology. Sometimes a DJ - but always a tap dancer triggering electronic sounds with his feet - it's amazing to watch these artists craft new moods and movements - all improvised with wicked intent. It's an evolving tribe of extraordinary players from around the world:

AMMA WHATT
Amma's music career began at the tender age of 5 as a touring dancer studying and performing the traditional music and dances of West Africa.  Her star has headed straight north since then as a touring vocalist with Glory of NY Gospel Singers and as background vocalist with Ruben Studdard, Karen Clark-Sheard, Ki-Ki Sheard, Shirley Murdock, Howard Hewitt, Melba Moore, Byron Cage, Rob Murat, Tulani Kinard and more. She was a Hollywood finalist in the 2007 season of American Idol and graces the big screen in the movie August Rush where she performs the Academy Award nominated song "Raise it Up".  As a staff writer and vocal producer with the Grammy nominated team of women songwriters, Big Drawz Music Group, Amma co-wrote “Just the Way You Are” for Kindred and The Family Soul’s last album “The Arrival”. 

"Amma Whatt is a breath of fresh air and is what is truly needed in music right now!" ~ Walter (Music) Jackson,Jr.
Damn Good Music Movement

LINLEY MARTHE
Self-tought and conservatory trained, Linley Marthe is one of the most sought after bassists in Europe today.  Born in Mauritius, he mastered Bass, Contrabass & Piano by himself. He succeeded in Ernest Wiehe Orchestra where he met Francois Jeanneau and ultimately moved to Paris.

In Paris, Linley studied Jazz theory and technique at Higher Music National Conservatoire.  As a first call bass player he has collaborated with a variety of artists. Since 2003, he has been playing in Zawinul Syndicate.


PATRICK DORCEAN
One of the most sought after drummer/producer/MD/songwriters today. Groove Heroes is proud to have Patrick in our lineup. Patrick has played with Reggie Washington, Zap Mama, Brahim, Pitcho, Sandrine, Moiano, Yoko Sound, Bassida AKA Ida Funkhouser, 1060, Mo & Grazz, Cocojr., Bai Kamara Jr., Miss Camille, Marc Lelangue...


LEE PAYNE
(Riverdance, Singing In The Rain, Magic Of The Dance, Des OConner, TOTP, Bouncers, Jeckyl and Hyde, Hamlet, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest)The spectacular dancing of Lee Payne has inspired us all to get our tap shoes on! Leaving no stone unturned this cat is deeply musical and expressive, always on the edge, always pushing the boundaries of Rhythm to new heights through his feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4CcM3yXN8w

DJ GRAZZHOPPA

got infected with the a hiphop virus in 1984.After winning several local DJ battles he became EUROPEAN DMC CHAMPION in 1991BELGIAN CHAMPION I.T.F. in 1998 3rd in the I.T.F. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in 1998
Currently touring with "GEMINI" (the second album by MO&GRAZZ),MUSIC OF THE PHRASE,
Doing DJamsessions & touring with the new set 'Back To Scratch' by DJ GRAZZHOPPA'S DJ BIGBAND.
Also doin a lot of featuring (cuts or production) jobs lately and live DJ-Sets ofcourse .

Instrumentation
Vinx - Percussion., Lead & Backup Vocals

Amma Whatt - Lead & Backup Vocals

Linley Marthe - Bass

Patrick Dorcean - Drums

Dj Grazzhoppa - Turntables

Lee Payne - Tap Dancing, Foot percussion