Anita "AJ" Wood:

Anita "AJ" Wood’s velvety alto timbre welcomes the audience to sit back and settle in. AJ is a versatile vocalist with roots in musical theatre and a cappella. She has had the pleasure of being the lead vocalist of the Chelmsford Jazz Ensemble since June 2022 where she rediscovered her love of the American Songbook, and has since dove head first into jazz. She was encouraged by one of her musical mentors to explore the local Jazz Jam circuit, and as each month passed, musical connections were made with talented local players. This quickly led to friendships, and formation of AJ and the Groove. Making music with her bandmates has brought her purpose and a new found vigor for life.

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LP:

A professional drummer, percussionist, performer, instructor and recording artist with over forty years of experience. Larry has performed a wide range of musical genres; rock, blues, jazz, funk, marching band, concert band, bell choir, chamber choir and theatre. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has also studied with Ed Saindon, Ed Uribe, Sergio Belloti, Dave Fox, Bill Jones, Kenwood Dennard and Bernard Purdie. He is an experienced composer and recording artist with original ensembles and independent artists and has over thirty songs with composition and recording credit. He can be heard with AJ and the band grooving to swing and Latin jazz favorites. 

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Steve:

Steve earned a degree in Jazz and African-American Music Studies from UMass Amherst where he studied saxophone with Felipe Salles. He also plays with the Chelmsford Community Jazz Ensemble, and has been in the host band for the Jazz Jam at Sanctuary in Maynard. 

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Sue:

Sue has many, many, many years of experience playing solo piano with small/large bands in local clubs and restaurants. She is also seen playing for church services, weddings and funerals. Sue earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi and has taught piano from time to time. In addition to being the pianist for AJ and the Groove, she is also the pianist for the Tall Granite Big Band (Concord, New Hampshire) and she is the long-time organist/pianist at the First Congregational Church of Pelham, NH.

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Karl:

Karl has played with a wide variety of groups playing primarily jazz, pop, and Brazilian music. His longest tenure was the Portland Guitar Duo with Gary Moran, which played around the Central Mass area for many years. He's happy to be once again playing with a vocalist!

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Rose:

Rose began her musical career in classical piano which then led to playing a variety of instruments, and eventually becoming a versatile upright bass player. Her playing has evolved with the influence of jazz, country, rock, blues, and bluegrass. Over the years she has played in orchestras, swing bands, and varying styles of vocal bands. With her unique fretless upright electric bass in hand she can be seen playing in AJ and the Groove (Jazz with an occasional twist), Trusting Fate (a unique acoustic group), CrossTracks (Americana), Stomp N Holler (Country), and is periodically in the 19 Carter Jazz Jam house band.

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