Papa Groove

» Profile

Papa Groove are a professional funk, soul & disco functions band based in the South West of England who formed in early 2004. They have quickly gained a reputation as one of the best upbeat function bands in the UK and play nationally and internationally for any type of function from Corporate Events, Music Festivals and Masked Balls to Birthdays, Weddings and Christmas Parties.

The band is made up of between 5 and 9 full-time, professional musicians who between them have an astounding amount of experience in the live music arena and can entertain any crowd. With the emphatic vocals of Charlotte Benson, who appeared on BBC televisions Star For A Night and the highly acclaimed band and backing singers, they have built up a repertoire of the best of funk, soul & disco classics including Car Wash, Disco Inferno & Le Freak and current hits from artists including Christina Aguilera, Scissor Sisters and Beyonce.

Papa Groove are a young, professional and experienced functions band. Having played in countries as far and wide as Abu Dhabi for the Sheraton Hotels New Years Eve Party (2007 / 08), Italy at the Pennibilli Music Festival, Ireland at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and the Greek island of Mykonos as a guest of Contiki Holidays, they are as comfortable on the runway as they are on the M25!

Experienced Jazz, Rock, Blues and Pop players, the band also regularly play extra sets at events as either soloists, duets, trios or quartets as well as performing a complete rock and pop set with over 50+ songs to choose from.

Whether the 5, 6, 8 or 9 piece band are performing, Papa Groove entertain all crowds no matter whom, when or where! If you are looking for an all-out energetic, entertaining party band, then you have found the perfect group in Papa Groove.

Papa Groove have Public Liability Insurance, their gear is fully PAT tested and they are members of the Musicians Union.

» Song List

• Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera
• Ain't No Stopping Us Now - Mcfadden & Whitehead
• Best Of My Love - The Emotions
• Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
• Car Wash - Rose Royce
• Celebration - Kool & The Gang
• Crazy In Love - Beyonce
• Dancing Queen - Abba
• Disco Inferno - The Trammps
• Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - Micheal Jackson
• Get Down Saturday Night - Kool & The Gang
• Get Up Offa That Thing - James Brown
• Give Me Some Loving - Spencer Davis Group
• Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-lite
• Heard It Through The Grapevine Marvin Gaye
• Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel - Tavares
• He's The Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge
• Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson
• Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder
• I Don't Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters
• I Want You Back - Jackson 5
• I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
• Jungle Boogie - Kool & The Gang
• Ladies Night - Kool & The Gang
• Lady Marmalade - Patti Labelle
• Le Freak - Chic
• Lets Stay Together - Al Green
• Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake
• Love Foolosophy - Jamiroquai
• Love Shack - B52's
• Mamma Mia - Abba
• Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
• Saturday Night Fever - The Beegees
• Sex Machine (get Up I Feel Like Being A) - James Brown
• Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
• Some Kind Of Wonderful - Joss Stone
• Son Of A Preacher Dusty Springfield
• Soul Man - Sam & Dave
• Staying Alive - The Beegees
• Streetlife - Randy Crawford
• Superstition - Stevie Wonder
• Take A Chance - Abba
• Take Your Mama - Scissor Sisters
• Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson
• Thank You For The Music - Abba
• Waterloo - Abba
• We Are Family - Sister Sledge
• You Should Be Dancing The Beegees
• You To Me Are Everything - Barry White
• You're Just Too Good To Be True - Burt Bacharach
• You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White
• 9 To 5 Dolly Parton
• A Change Would Do You Good Sheryl Crow
• Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer
• Ain't No Sunshine Bill Whithers
• Alright Now - Free
• Angels Robbie Williams
• Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
• Baby One More Time Britney Spears
• Bad Love- Eric Clapton
• Baywatch - The Theme Tune
• Blame It On The Boogie Jackson 5
• Bohemium Like You The Dandy Warholes
• Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison
• Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
• Crossroads - Cream
• December 1963 (oh What A Night) Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
• Feel Like Making Love Bad Company
• Ghostbusters Ray Parker Junior
• Go Your Own Way Fleetwood Mac
• Groovejet (if This Ain't Love) - Spiller
• Handbags And Gladrags Stereophonics
• Hard To Handle The Black Crowes
• Harder To Breathe Maroon 5
• Hip To Be Square - Huey Lewis And The News
• Honky Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones
• I Saw Her Standing There The Beatles
• I Touch Myself Divinyls
• If It Makes You Happy Sheryl Crow
• Im Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers
• It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones
• Johnny B Goode Chuck Berry
• Kiss - Prince
• Last Night The Strokes
• Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams
• Lets Work Together Canned Heat
• Livin' On A Prayer Bon Jovi
• Long Train Runnin - The Doobie Brothers
• Love Really Hurts Without You Billy Ocean
• Mama Told Me (not To Come) - Randy Newman
• Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett
• Mr Brightside The Killers
• Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett
• My Generation The Who
• My Sharona The Knack
• Place Your Hands - Reef
• Rock And Roll Led Zepplin
• Rock Dj - Robbie Williams
• Simply The Best Tina Turner
• Summer Of 69 Brian Adams
• Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley
• Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Sweet Home Chicago - Robert Johnson
• Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart Dusty Springfield
• Take Me Out Franz Ferdinand
• The Power Of Love Huey Lewis And The News
• Vertigo U2
• Walking On Sunshine Katrina And The Waves
• When You're Gone Bryan Adams
• Your Song Elton John
• White Christmas Bing Crosby
• All I Want For Christmas Is You Mariah Carey
• I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
• Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Jackson 5
• Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
• Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
• Step Into Christmas Elton John
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Christina Aguilera
• Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
• Christmas Time (dont Let The Bells End) The Darkness
• Merry Christmas Everybody Slade
• Last Christmas Wham!
• A Fairytale Of New York The Pogues
• And Many More!

» Previous Clients

• The Sheraton Hotel Network
• The Priory Park Hotel Network
• The Thistle Hotel Network
• Ge Capital Bank
• The Nhs Nurses Convention
• Exeter University
• Bath Spa University
• And Many More!

» Testimonials

Can I pass on thanks from students and staff alike who really enjoyed both your sets last night. The evening was a great success and you guys played a huge part in that, I know this is jumping ahead but can I provisionally book you in for next year?!
- Ciaran Ryder, Duchy College, Cornwall, 24th June 2008

Good to hear from you, glad you enjoyed playing at our wedding as much as we enjoyed having you guys there - you sounded amazing! It was great seeing so many friends & family boogying on the dancefloor... Thanks soooooo much once again!
- Mr & Mrs Wimshurst (!) aka A-M & Tom, Newly Weds, Devon, May 2008

The feedback was very good and everybody was happy especially the F & B manager and this is a very good point. They told me that the singer was great also as well as all the band.
- Joseph Yaacoub, Agent For Gig At The Sheraton Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sorry for the delay in sending this note... but just a quick email to say thanks to you and your band for such a fantastic performance at our wedding. As you can probably guess from the people on the dance floor, everyone loved your band... had loads of comments and wouldn't be surprised if you get a few bookings as a result!
- Richard & Suzanne, Newly Weds, Bristol, September 2007

"A big, big thank you for being so amazing. Everyone said how good you were and enjoyed the music. A special thank you for learning the first dance for us, it was performed brilliantly and meant so much to us, it was one of the most emotional moments of the day."
- Leo & Julie, Newly Weds, Bristol, July 2007

our Jazz singer for the reception speaks very highly of your band as well - you have a wonderful reputation Thank you so very much for your email and also for being absolutely amazing for our wedding - you certainly made the evening amazing!!
- Micheala Deasy, Events Organiser & Bride, Clifton, September 2006

We had a brilliant day and the band were great. Please pass on my thanks to them all.
- David Martin, Groom, Bristol, July 2006

Just emailing to say thank you very much for Saturday night. Everyone has been saying what a great time they had and how fantastic the band was and you absolutely achieved my aim of just getting everyone dancing!
- Louise Mayor, Birthday Party, Devon, June 2006

I just wanted to say thank you for playing at our wedding So many people said how great you were and I know that you kept going for much longer than agreed! It was so good to see everyone get up and start dancing straight away We will definitely be recommending you to our friends.
- Bev & Callum, Newly Weds, Almondsbury, June 2006

Once again thank you so much for making it a great evening. I have been recommending you to everyone!
- Lisa Gover, Bride, Keynsham, May 2006

After advertising that it was Papa Groove who had played the previous summer we sold out in no time at all. The night was fantastic; Papa Groove gave it there all and kept everyone dancing all night!
- Caroline Litchfield, Events Promoter, Langport, December 2005

You guys were fantastic. Were definitely having you back next year!
- Diane Starling, Bar & Entertainments Manager, Bath Spa University Students Union, June 2005

Funkty Dumpty were this year asked to perform at the annual Womens Aid ACT Gala Dinner at The Dorchester, London alongside other entertainers Will Young, Beverley Knight and 4 Poofs & A Piano. The night was attended by many celebrity guests including Duncan Bannatyne, Lisa Snowdon, Neil Fox, Brigitte Nielsen, Jamie Theakston, Jamie Redknapp, Jemma Kidd & Faye Ripley; all who enjoyed a great nights entertainment! The night was a huge success for the charity and Funkty Dumpty received some excellent feedback: On behalf of Sarah Brown, Nicola Mendelsohn, and Women's Aid, we would like to thank you so much for providing such wonderful musical entertainment at last night's ACT Gala Dinner at The Dorchester, celebrating the 'Real Man' campaign. We are delighted that it was such a brilliant evening. It all went extremely well and I hope you had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thank you once again and I hope to see you again soon. With best wishes, Nicola
- Nicola Harwin CBE, Chief Executive, Women's Aid, The Dorchester, London, 16th Sept

The event went really well and we were very pleased with the band. They included our requests and managed to get everyone up dancing at some point with a good mix of music - well apart from those people who would never ever dance under any circumstances! Many people said to us that they were the best party band they had ever heard and wanted to know how we had found them. You can't beat live music can you! We would certainly recommend them. All in all a great evening, thanks to all.
- Sue - 16/11/10

"Thank you for your e-mail. We had a wondeful day and Papa Groove were amazing. They really entertained the crowd and the dance floor was heaving. They were all very friendly and we were absolutely delighted with their performance. If I had one comment it would be that i'd have liked to have heard more of the sax being played. I have had great feedback from everyone at the wedding who enjoyed the music spanning age groups from teens to eighties!
Thank you sooooooo much. You exceeded our expectations"
- Karen and Peter

» Set Formats

Papa Groove Offer:

2 x 60 Minute Sets
Or
3 x 40 Minute Sets

Experience:
Papa Groove are a young, fresh-
faced yet experienced band of highly talented musicians who have performed with artists as diverse as Pato Banton (Baby Come Back) to Jon Anderton (Lead singer of 1970s band Yes). Lead vocalist Charlotte appeared on BBC televisions Star For A Night, winning praise from the judging panel whilst the band have been fortunate enough to work with musicians from Skunk Anansie, Feeder, Little Angels and Wishbone Ash, recording with those from The Wailers, The Rumble Strips, Ronan Keating, Darius and Chesney Hawkes.

Gigging extensively throughout England, Scotland and Wales, the musicians have also toured Abu Dhabi, Denmark, Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and Italy and are currently organizing performances in Croatia, Dubai and the French Alps, making them as comfortable in the air as on the road! Festival performances at Glastonbury, Ashton Court, Music In The Sun and Cork Jazz have firmed up the bands abilities to cope under pressure, in most part due to the regularly poor British weather!

The musicianship of Papa Groove has assured their success, with Neil Davidge of Massive Attack being so impressed with Charlottes voice he welcomed her into his studio to help lay down some new ideas. Steve has also recorded drums for new projects by David Ferguson (Chairman of British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, Composer of TV scores for ITV's Cracker & Diana Story of A Princess and founding member of 1980s band Random Hold).

Playing gigs at venues as diverse as Watford Palace Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, The Bath Pavilion, The Colston Hall, Exeter Cathedral and many top London venues including The Borderline, The Garage, The Mean Fiddler and Jazz Caf has meant the band are well versed at performing to sell out crowds on large stages. They no longer get star struck (well... maybe Charlotte does a little bit!) having been supported in the early days by Muse and having since supported well known names like Republica, Bad Manners and The Selector and even Cleopatra (Comin Atcha!). Steve has also played in the backing band for Pato Banton.

The bands members have played on albums released nationally through high-street shops and have had works on sale in Japan, Denmark, France and the US. Many of these have been played on radio stations across the country and Rob (keys) has also supported one of his releases with a live performance at a Radio 1 Roadshow, played out to over 6 million listeners.

Papa Groove were fortunate enough to record their latest Promo CD at Olympic Studios, London, favoured by artists Take That, Scissor Sisters, Kylie, Kaiser Chiefs and many more, ensuring the high quality production of their professional standard CD.

When you book Papa Groove you not only get a group of young yet highly seasoned professionals but the guarantee of a high-energy performance that will blow your socks off! What more could you want?!

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