RetroGroove
RetroGroove
In 2020 Hamilton musicians club “Head Hands and Feet” staged a reunion concert. As part of that drummer Neil Reynolds put a show together featuring Tauranga based Chris Gunn’s vocals backed up by musicians from various lineups that had all worked together in one form or another over the years. It was very successful with the horn section providing punch and lift behind Chris’s powerful and gravelly vocal. After Covid lockdowns finished, it was decided to revisit the concept and put a permanent lineup together. All that was missing was a soulful female vocalist, and along came Georgia Brill, recently returned from Australia, and the RetroGroove picture was complete.
Chris Gunn. Keyboards, guitar, lead vocal
In his early days Chris played with Human Instinct and Salty Dogg. He later played the club scene in Australia before returning to NZ and joining the Larry Morris band, and later Ritchie Pickett’s band. He is currently fronting Tauranga combo Gunshy.
Georgia Brill. Lead Vocal
Georgia is an experienced lead vocalist who has been playing in bands for over 30 years. Since returning to New Zealand she has sung with various bands, including being part of The Eva Cassidy Tribute group at last year’s Fringe Festival. Her love for R&B, Soul and Funk is complementary to her powerhouse vocals.
Grant Mason. Trumpet and flugelhorn
Grant has been associated with the Tauranga Jazz Festival for the past 35 years, in big bands, small ensembles (including Torch Songs), Phil Broadhurst, The Tauranga Big Band, and The Jazz Divas.
Bill Forest. Tenor, alto and soprano sax
Bill has been playing for over forty years in a variety of lineups from Big bands through to smaller Jazz and blues combos. He has played with the Hamilton big band, Raglan based West Coast Jazz, Tracy Hopewell’s Fever and Affirmation (Jazz/Rock).
Gary Verberne. Lead Guitar
Gary was a familiar face on the NZ music scene from the 80’s to the 2000’s, playing alongside Dave Dobbyn, When the Cat’s Away, and Shona Laing among many others.
Carlos Plá - Bass
Originally from Uruguay, Carlos has been an active part of Aotearoa’s music scene since arriving in the country over 22 years ago. His distinctive style has seen him playing with many talented local bands and led to live performances for TV shows and theatre productions, including the Rocky Horror Show. A prolific session musician, Carlos has participated in more than 30 albums and regularly performs at the Tauranga Jazz Festival, alongside local and international artists. He is very excited to be part of Retro Groove in their upcoming performances.
Neil Reynolds. Drums
Another well known name in NZ music, Neil started out with 60’s band The Mods, later joining 70’s band Mandrake, and then going on to become the founding drummer in Dragon. Along the way he has played with numerous lineups both here in in Australia. His musical CV includes Jazz (Torch Songs, Affirmation), Country (Gray Bartlett, Brendan Dugan, Jodi Vaughan, Eddie Low), Rock n Roll (Tom Sharplin and others), and Blues (Midge Marsden, Hammond Gamble and a one off show with Chuck Berry at the Mt Smart Supertop.)
Daron MacDonald. Keyboards
Daron is a very accomplished keyboardist who spent most of the 90’s playing the Gold Coast Club Scene. In NZ he has worked with reggae bands Katchafire and Cornerstone Roots, bluesman Darcy Perry, and jazz with Tracey Hopewell’s Fever.
DOORS 3PM - R18
