Euge Groove

Euge Groove has built a reputation as a leading contemporary saxophonist whose sound fuses instrumental jazz with R&B and pop elements. After establishing himself as a session musician, he rose to prominence during the 2000s through a succession of Billboard Jazz albums that reached the Top Ten, among them Born 2 Groove in 2007, House of Groove in 2012, and Groove On! in 2017. He regularly invites fellow smooth jazz figures to collaborate, including guitarists Paul Brown and Peter White on the 2020 release Sing My Song. Anchored by his saxophone, his characteristically lush slow jams and romantic balladry continue to define his output, evident on the 2023 album Comfort Zone.

Steven Eugene Grove entered the world in 1962 in Hagerstown, Maryland. He started piano lessons in second grade before switching to saxophone near age nine. His instructor provided a classical foundation that he later pursued at the University of Miami's School of Music, where jazz captured his interest. After earning his degree he stayed in Miami, performing sessions and appearing with groups such as Expose on their 1987 chart-topping single "Seasons Change." Relocating to Los Angeles, he spent roughly four years with Tower of Power before embarking on freelance session work and backup-band engagements for an array of artists that encompassed Joe Cocker, Eurythmics, the Gap Band, Huey Lewis & the News, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Eros Ramazotti, and Richard Marx. His playing featured on Marx's 1991 Top 20 pop and number one AC single "Keep Coming Back."

Toward the close of the 1990s Grove adopted the stage name Euge Groove, derived from his given name, and produced a demo that drew label interest, ultimately securing a deal with Warner Bros. His first album under that name appeared in May 2000 while he was on the road with Tina Turner's backing ensemble. He next issued Play Date in 2002, highlighted by the tracks "Slam Dunk" and "Rewind." Shifting to Narada in 2004, he explored a '70s pop-soul direction on Livin' Large, maintained a similar retro flavor on 2005's Just Feels Right, and introduced gospel influences on Born 2 Groove in 2007.

Groove transferred to Shanachie for 2009's Sunday Morning. Two years afterward came his seventh studio album, the aptly named Seven Large. House of Groove followed in 2012 and ascended to the summit of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, succeeded by Got 2 B Groovin in 2014. Still Euge surfaced in 2016 with guest spots from Chuck Loeb, Peter White, and additional musicians. The equally funky Groove On! arrived the next year and climbed to number two on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart. Sing My Song, released in June 2020, incorporated contributions from Maysa, Peter White, Philippe Saisse, and Paul Brown, while Comfort Zone, centered on grooves and ballads, emerged in 2023.