Comfort Zone

A popular contemporary saxophonist, Euge Groove is known for his funky mix of instrumental jazz, R&B, and pop. Following his initial work as a session player, Groove gained wider attention in the 2000s, releasing a string of Top Ten Billboard Jazz albums including 2007's Born 2 Groove, 2012's House of Groove, and 2017's Groove On! He often features other smooth jazz luminaries, such as guitarists <a href="spotify:artist:4Hisv12GBxgMUsB2eBW5jy">Paul Brown</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4siC0n7Bs9OzoZlB1HKquS">Peter White</a>, who joined him for 2020's Sing My Song. With his sax at the fore, Groove's lushly arranged slow jams and romantic balladry remain a core vibe of his work, as on 2023's Comfort Zone.\r\n\nBorn Steven Eugene Grove in 1962 in Hagerstown, Maryland, he began playing piano in the second grade and turned to the saxophone around age nine. His teacher gave him a classical education on the instrument, which he continued at the University of Miami's School of Music, where he became interested in jazz. Upon graduation, he remained in Miami doing sessions and playing in bands such as <a href="spotify:artist:5nPz5R1FDPTMI3Dw4JnTGb">Expose</a>, where he can be heard on the group's 1987 number one single "Seasons Change." Grove then moved to Los Angeles and joined <a href="spotify:artist:0JCxGVxsISZzJHJPUOtceB">Tower of Power</a>, remaining with the group for about four years. Following this experience, he freelanced, doing sessions and working in backup bands; his clients included <a href="spotify:artist:3pFCERyEiP5xeN2EsPXhjI">Joe Cocker</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0NKDgy9j66h3DLnN8qu1bB">Eurythmics</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4TwHRCIu3Xg9fjS3l7owkp">the Gap Band</a>, Huey Lewis & the News, <a href="spotify:artist:3PhoLpVuITZKcymswpck5b">Elton John</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4KDyYWR7IpxZ7xrdYbKrqY">Bonnie Raitt</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:57ALvbCBaCkNlgTOSiUPdT">Aaron Neville</a>, Eros Ramazotti, and <a href="spotify:artist:0grdhNhiRLFBaFVyybqsj6">Richard Marx</a>. His saxophone appeared on Marx's Top 20 pop and number one AC hit "Keep Coming Back" in 1991. \r\n\nAt the end of the '90s, Grove developed the persona of Euge Groove, a reworking of his real name, and recorded a demo that attracted the attention of various labels. This demo soon landed him with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Warner+Bros.%22">Warner Bros.</a> Euge Groove, his debut album, was released in May 2000. At the time, the saxophonist was touring in <a href="spotify:artist:1zuJe6b1roixEKMOtyrEak">Tina Turner</a>'s backup band. He followed up with 2002's Play Date, featuring the singles "Slam Dunk" and "Rewind." In 2004, Groove moved to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Narada%22">Narada</a> for the '70s pop-soul-inflected Livin' Large. He stuck with the '70s vibe for 2005's Just Feels Right, and then incorporated a more gospel approach for 2007's Born 2 Groove. \r\n\nIn 2009, Groove moved to Shanachie for Sunday Morning. Two years later, he returned with his seventh studio effort, the fittingly titled Seven Large. It was followed by 2012's House of Groove (which topped the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart) and 2014's Got 2 B Groovin. \r\n\nIn 2016, he delivered Still Euge, featuring guest appearances from <a href="spotify:artist:02L5Rmh1RtTbHOBdzPzfoQ">Chuck Loeb</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4siC0n7Bs9OzoZlB1HKquS">Peter White</a>, and others. The similarly funky Groove On! arrived in 2017 and peaked at number two on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart. In June 2020, he released Sing My Song, which included contributions by <a href="spotify:artist:6XGfdDOtv4mLiHnHwrZhDC">Maysa</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4siC0n7Bs9OzoZlB1HKquS">Peter White</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:76eaAxXOF5UhLXASB8UiQJ">Philippe Saisse</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:4Hisv12GBxgMUsB2eBW5jy">Paul Brown</a>. The groove and ballad-oriented Comfort Zone arrived in 2023. ~ Matt Collar & William Ruhlmann, Rovi