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Originally a classical musician (harpsichord and piano major), graduate of the McMaster University honours music program, student of world-renowned concert pianist Valerie Tryon, keyboard player Lily Sazz has been a professional musician since 1985. For the last ten years, she has been the musical director and keyboard player for the highly-acclaimed Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue, an event which has grown from grass roots to full concert theatre sold-out crowds, and finally, a successful annual event at Massey Hall. The event is co-presented by CBC Radio's Saturday Night Blues. and Massey Hall. A live CD compilation of performance highlights has recently been released.
In 2006, she was the bandleader for the Queen Bees (members of Women's Blues Revue), who were the backup band for a dozen major stars at the Canada's Walk of Fame "Rock the Walk" event, produced by Denise Donlon. Performers included Paul Shaffer (David Letterman Show), Molly Johnson, Donnie Walsh, Haydain Neale (Jacksoul), Tom Wilson (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), Gerald Eaton aka Jarvis Church (The Philosopher Kings), Serena Ryder, Denzal Sinclair, Roy Kenner (Bush, Mandala), Robbie Lane (Robbie Lane and the Disciples), Donnie Walsh and Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band), and others.
Lily has shared the stage with Shirley Eikhard, Sue Foley, Dianne Brooks, Molly Johnson, Rory Block, Lee Aaron, Liberty Silver, Mel Brown, Harrison Kennedy, Toby Lark, Georgette Fry, Rita Chiarelli, Daisy DeBolt, Jackie , Ellen McIllwaine, Lori Yates, Alberta Adams, Jani Lauzon, Penny Lang, Ray Materick, Crowbar with King Biscuit Boy, Carole Pope, Niki Janofsky, Suzie Vinnick, Sass Jordan and many others. Her recording history reads similarly with extensive session work on her own projects as well as appearing as a guest with others. She has also worked as a personal piano coach for actress Bridget Fonda while filming the movie Camilla, which starred Jessica Tandy in her last role.
On occasion, Lily has played with Blue Room (award winning rockin' blues band headed by renowned entertainment lawyer Paul Sanderson), Sister Act (an all-star line-up of female musicians performing R'n'B classics, and Trailblazers. Among the highlights, she enjoyed performances with Suzie Vinnick in Fredericton New Brunswick at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, along with Marg Stowe and Michelle Josef, which was included in a live broadcast on CBC in the Maritimes.
Currently, Lily is performing regularly with award-winning funk groove r'n'b band Groove Corporation, singer-songwriter trio Rhythm and Bones, Brian "Colorblind" Blain, and others.
To request an interview, please send an email to mail@lilysazz.com.
JUST RELEASED (APRIL 2010)
OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR "BLIND MAN WITH A CIGARETTE"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 9, 2010
GROOVE CORPORATION RELEASES VIDEO FOR "BLIND MAN WITH A CIGARETTE"
Golden Horseshoe-based blues/funk/r'n'b/soul group Groove Corporation proudly releases their first video to support the song "Blind Man with a Cigarette" from their debut CD Record Prophets.
The song is danceable funky blues in style, with lyrics that constitute a warning from a caring friend about living a reckless life with no regard to who gets hurt, like a "blind man with a cigarette", or a "mad bull in a china shop".
Beautifully filmed in natural light by Kevin Staye (Left of Normal Productions), in the very same space the album was recorded (bassist Steve Hilbert's historic stone home in downtown Hamilton), the video captures the joy this band feels when they perform together.
Groovecorp has kept busy over the winter months and economic downturn by writing material for their next CD, and filming the video for "Blind Man with a Cigarette". They also garnered two Hamilton Music Award nominations, one for Blues Recording of the Year, and Lily Sazz for Keyboard Player of the Year.
The CD Record Prophets is available through CD Baby, iTunes, and other online sources. Watch for Groove Corporation at the Beaches Jazz Festival (Toronto), the Corktown (Hamilton), Brando's (Brantford), and lots more to come.
For Media Inquiries:
www.groovecorporation.com
Email:
mailroom@groovecorporation.com
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| 2009 - Lily has been nominated for a Hamilton Music Award for "Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year", and Groove Corporation's CD Record Prophets has been nominated for "Blues Recording of the Year". The Hamilton Music Awards will be held on Dec. 6, 2009. Details at www.hamiltonmusicawards.com |
MAY
25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
GROOVE CORPORATION - TORONTO CD RELEASE for Debut Recording, “Record
Prophets”
SILVER DOLLAR ROOM
486 Spadina Ave. Toronto ON Canada M5S 2H1 416-763-9139 Saturday, May 30, 8pm - $12.00 (Doors open at 6pm Dinner Reservations available - thesilverdollarroom@hotmail.com)
May 2009: 8-piece funk/r’n’b/blues horn band Groove Corporation is set to perform at Toronto’s legendary Silver Dollar Room in support of their debut CD release, “Record Prophets”.
Featuring 8 unique and tasty covers, plus 3 dynamic original songs, the CD features heavy grooves all the way through. It’s pretty much a dance party from start to finish.
At live performances, Groovecorp has proven themselves to be entertaining to watch, and impossible to sit still to. Front man Kim Campagnaro doubles on congas, and sings with raw emotion, energy, and has no trouble engaging the audience and filling the dance floor. Toronto audiences may recognize Lily Sazz through her many years as musical director and keyboard player with the Women’s Blues Revue.
Residing primarily around the Golden Horseshoe, but calling their base Hamilton, Groove Corporation has won a London Music Award for best r’n’b blues group, and were finalists and runners up in the 2008 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search. Their Hamilton CD Release in April produced a sold-out house at the sizable Corktown Pub.
On May 30th at the Silver Dollar Room, the evening will begin with special guests Snake Oil Johnson, followed by Groovecorp’s set at 9:30pm.
“Record Prophets” is available through the band’s website via iTunes and CD Baby, and from the band at performances. (www.groovecorporation.com)
"Groove Corporation blew the roof off the Corktown at their CD launch in Hamilton (their home base) and will bring their infectious horn-driven R&B party vibe to the Silver dollar on Saturday, May 30th." - MapleBlues Magazine
"It's about 70s funk music, like Average White Band, Tower of Power, or Sly and The Family Stone and even if you're too young to know those names, you can watch in awe of the musicianship as some might do or simply follow the crowds and dance to the music." - Ric Taylor, VIEW Magazine
"...this eight-piece ensemble has established itself as the best R&B/funk big band around." - Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator
"The performances and the recording are masterful, MacDougall’s experience at production really shows here. The horn arrangements deserve special mention."
"They have some strong originals, with “Blind Man With A Cigarette” being the best of them. “Diggin’ Vinyl” and “Chasin’ Shadows” are almost as good and they hold up well in the company of the funk classics that make up the bulk of the program." - John Valenteyn, CIUT FM, MapleBlues Magazine
"On April 4th, Groove Corporation released their debut CD, Record Prophets at an amazing party at the Corktown.
This is a CD to play and boogie. Their funk, soul, R&B sound is infectious and will have you dancing." - Hamilton Blues Lovers
For Information, Contact:
Lily Sazz
mailroom@groovecorporation.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE ANNOUNCE, LIST, POST, CIRCULATE
PHOTOS AVAILABLE (SEE LINK AT BOTTOM)
MARCH 16, 2009
Who:
Groove Corporation
What: CD Release Party for Debut CD, “Record Prophets”
Where: Corktown Tavern 175 Young Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 1V7 (905)
572-9242
When: Saturday, April 4 10PM
How much: $10.00
Although the eight core members of horn-driven funk/r’n’b band Groove Corporation are spread between London, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Waterdown, Guelph, and Burlington, the band tends to think of Hamilton as their base. It’s where they rehearse, and it’s where they’ve chosen to celebrate the release of their debut CD, Record Prophets.
The recording was originally intended as a collection of cover songs for the purpose of securing more work. But the band was pleasantly surprised when the quality and fidelity of the live recording surpassed their expectations enough to consider adding a second session with some original material, and packaging it as a full length recording. The two sessions took place in the living room of Groovecorp’s bass player, Steve Hilbert, recorded with portable equipment under the hands of Ian Nielsen (once the bassist of the Trailblazers with Lily Sazz and Alex MacDougall). Hilbert’s heritage stone house with its high ceilings and wood floors has loads of atmosphere, and some discerning ears have agreed that you can hear it in the recording.
Groove Corporation was founded five years ago, and has been building momentum ever since. Kim Campagnaro, the band’s dynamic fronting vocalist, who doubles on congas and percussion, has been there since the very beginning. For the last few years, they’ve been playing festivals in the summers and occasional clubs in the winters while continuing to write new material and polish the show. In 2007, they won “Best Blues R’n’B Group” at the London Music Awards, and they were finalists and 1st runners up in the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search in 2008. (See YouTube footage of their performance from Nathan Phillips Square)
It’s not surprising that Groove Corporation is beginning to make serious inroads and an impression on music industry professionals. The talent pool is deep. Alex MacDougall aka LX (guitarist and producer), for example, has a long, rich musical history, having been a member of Juno-nominated band Bond in the 70s, legendary Canadian group Crowbar with King Biscuit Boy, Harrison Kennedy and the Rockin’ Hurricanes, Trailblazers, etc. His recording engineer and production credits are long, and he has been putting that experience to good use during the creation of this Groove Corporation CD.
Sazz has busied herself playing with several groups, and is still with, most notably, the Women’s Blues Revue. She was the musical director of this group for a decade, helping to bring their annual concert from venues holding a few hundred, to Massey Hall, where they have performed annually for the last 5 years. Through this project, she has worked with numerous amazing vocalists and musicians, including Molly Johnson, Serena Ryder, Jackie Richardson, and many others. She also put a band together for the purpose of backing Paul Shaffer (of the David Letterman Show), Haydain Neale of Jacksoul, Tom Wilson, and many more during a concert called “Rock the Walk”, part of the Canada’s Walk of Fame celebrations in 2007.
Steve Hilbert on bass, (a local middle school music teacher by day), and Frank Vignanello (drums), make up the capable rhythm section, and Cole G. Benjamin, Peter McFarland, and the band’s newest member, Guelph’s Rob Gellner (currently studying arranging with Rob McConnell), add the horn section to the mix.
For More Information:
(hi-res photos available
here)
mailroom@groovecorporation.com
“Intelligent Funk for the Dancing Masses”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE CIRCULATE
July 12, 2008
GROOVE CORPORATION CHOSEN AS ONE OF SIX FINALISTS IN
TORONTO BLUES SOCIETY TALENT SEARCH
Groove Corporation will perform on Thursday, August 14th, live in Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square before a panel of judges as one of six finalists in the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search.
Now in its thirteenth year, this event has proved a launching pad for outstanding emerging talent - previous winners include JUNO and Maple Blues Award nominee the Rockin' Highliners, New Artist of the Year nominees Jake and the Blue Midnights, and Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards winners, the Ronnie Douglas Blues Band, CBC/Galaxie Rising Star David Rotundo, and Maple Blues Award nominees Wickens-Knight.
Nathan Phillips Square,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thursday,
August 14th (Noon until 2pm)
Details at www.torontobluessociety.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE CIRCULATE
March 9, 2008
GROOVE CORPORATION NOMINATED FOR JACK RICHARDSON
AWARD
Groove Corporation is very excited to announce their nomination for a Jack Richardson Music Award for "fan favourite". The awards will be handed out at a ceremony at The Music Hall in London on Sunday, March 30th at 7:30 p.m.
The Jack Richardson Music Awards are named in honour of legendary Canadian record producer Jack Richardson, a longtime resident of London, Ontario. Richardson was a driving force in the birth of FACTOR and in the establishment of CIRPA (The Canadian Independent Record Producers Association) and became its first president. To read more about this Order of Canada recipient, click here.
Cast your ballot for Fan Favourite at this year's Jack Richardson Music Awards. Voting ends on March 14th. http://www.jrma.ca/fan_fave_ballot.asp
Groove Corporation was also recently nominated for a London Music Award in the blues/r'n'b category. They won in 2007. Voting is still open for the London Music Awards and can be done online here: http://www.scenemagazine.com/awards/vote.html
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE CIRCULATE
February 12, 2008
GROOVE CORPORATION NOMINATED FOR LONDON MUSIC AWARD
2ND YEAR IN A ROW
Groove Corporation is beating the "February blahs" with the celebration of a second nomination for a London Music Award. After winning in the r'n'b blues category last year, the band is pleased to have the opportunity to be considered once again for this award.
The 8-piece funk/r'n'b/blues group is currently working on their first original CD, and is looking forward to what is shaping up to be a very busy spring and summer season playing festivals, clubs, and private functions.
To participate and show your support for Groove Corporation, just visit the url below, and cast your vote online. http://www.scenemagazine.com/awards/vote.html
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE CIRCULATE
June 21, 2007
GROOVE CORPORATION WINS LONDON MUSIC AWARD
Golden Horseshoe-based funky groove outfit Groove Corporation brought home the trophy for "most popular blues/r'n'b group" at last night's 5th Annual London Music Awards. Among the other excellent nominees were a band called "Groovebone", who performed at the prestigious Wolf Performance Hall ceremony in London, Ontario.
"We were shocked when we heard 'corporation' and not 'bone' after the 'groove' as they announced the winners. They were a great band, too, and we're quite honoured to get this award, and grateful to the people who voted for us."
Representing
the band at the awards were Hamilton's Alex MacDougall (Crowbar,
Trailblazers, Harrison Kennedy and the Rockin' Hurricanes), Lily Sazz
(Trailblazers, Women's Blues Revue), and London's own Cole G. Benjamin,
whose efforts raising the band's profile in his home town really paid
off.
Groove Corporation will be headlining the Canada Day Celebrations for the City of London on Friday, June 29th at 9pm at Ivey Park in the downtown of the forest city.
For more information about Groove Corporation,
Lily Sazz c/o Groove Corporation
mailroom@groovecorporation.com
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Lily's
Band Groove
Corporation has recently released its debut CD entitled "Record
Prophets". It's a collection of 8 funk covers and 3 originals. Perfect for
dancing, the CD is receiving great reviews in Canada and abroad.
It's available via Groove Corporation's website, CD Baby, iTunes, etc. Please see www.groovecorporation.com/music.htm for details.
The Toronto Blues Society is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Women's Blues Revue with an amazing compilation CD of the CBC recordings that were made of the show over the years. Lily was the musical director and keyboard player for all of these tracks.
The CD includes 15 stellar tracks, including vocalists Rita Chiarelli, Roxanne Potvin, Alana Bridgewater, Diana Braithwaite, Sue Foley, Georgette Fry, Divine Brown, Ellen McIlwaine, Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Lee Aaron, Suzie Vinnick, Suzie McNeil, Serena Ryder, and Dawn Tyler Watson. All backed by an all-star band of amazing female players.
To purchase this CD online through the Toronto Blues Society, click here. It's also available in Hamilton at Picks and Sticks on Locke Street.