7 piece professional covers band – vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass, trumpet, sax and drums.
Elle Kay-Coles
Lead Vocals
Elle began performing at the age of three when she stood up on the counter at Debenhams and sang ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ for the shoppers in the queue. The rest, as they say, is history.
From then on she has spent every moment she can singing, from school plays to music festivals and venues such the Royal Festival Hall, around the UK and abroad.
She has been writing songs since the age of ten. She released her first EP, Turning Point, in 2016.
In 2019, Elle released her second EP “Pretending”, which is available on all major streaming platforms. On 1st January 2021, Elle released her first music video for her song “Our Last Dance”
Angus Keith
Keyboards & Vocals
Making music and collaborating with great musicians is what he craves, whether it’s in a piano bar or on stage he is at one behind an 88 note keyboard. Angus has been making music from an early age and was passionate about it right from the start, especially when it was time to perform.
Originally from Leeds and now enjoying the space of the countryside close to York. His experience has been diverse, from bands doing their own original music to covers, to private parties at people’s homes.
Playing the piano was not enough for Angus and his first break into keyboards was in 1982 when he purchased his first synthesiser, a Roland Juno 6. Those were the analogue days, but it opened up a new exciting tech interest, something that continues strongly to this day.
His music taste, if he were asked would be “Everything melodic”. He learnt his love for Jazz from his dad who was a “Stride player” something that slips through into his own style from time to time.
However, it’s popular music he really enjoys, always striving to make the finished sound as close to the original as possible. He believes making a great sound is important, playing with your best friends on stage completes the recipe, ensuring a fantastic party and a night to remember!
Dave Waddington
Bass Guitar & Vocals
Dave has played the bass since he was 14 and played in many genres over the years including heavy rock, reggae, soul, funk and jazz. His influences include Steely Dan and Crowded House but is equally at home listening to Ian Dury & the Blockheads with their crazy bass lines.
He plays the guitar and piano too and provides vocal support to the band and is even known to belt out a few songs himself if the audience deserve it. Dave had some notoriety in the late 80’s with his band at the time where their first single achieved some limited success. Such was the financial success of this achievement that it allowed Dave to buy a full box of plectrums.
Josh Dyer
Drums
Josh is our drummer and brings a strong backbone to the Groove Council sound. He started playing at a young age and has recently finished his music studies at Leeds Conservatoire, holding a degree in Jazz performance.
With this knowledge Josh finds himself playing in a wide range of musical settings and differing genres. Some of his Influences include: Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiutia, Brian Blade, Ari Hoenig, Tony Williams, Chick Corea and more. He has played on P&O Ferry’s as part of their house band and also gigs regularly across the north of the UK.
Mike Collinson
Guitar & vocals
Mike is a singer/songwriter in his own right, performing across the region on a regular basis. He has enough guitars to fill a typical 4 bedroomed house but still finds sufficient room to add to his collection.
Inspired by David Bowie and early Pink Floyd, Mike brings a wealth of experience to the stage with the ability to provide ”just the right” guitar sound when its needed. He also provides backing vocals to many Groove Council tunes and belts out a few numbers as lead vocalist.
Nigel Ward
Sax, Alto, Tenor and Baritone
Still enjoying the challenge of playing and performing in party bands across the region, still looking to deliver the perfect solo. A wide range of experience ranging from supporting Joe Loss to Karen & Kevin Clifton (Strictly). Played across the UK on the Butlins and Pontins circuit and old enough to have been in the resident band of Tiffany’s! Very active in the Yorkshire indie scene in the 1980’s. There are things he would also like to forget such as a Police escort out of Goole, did not have any Northern Soul in the set) and having his sax stolen on a gig at the London Astoria, Oxford Street.
Music influences: Bands include Blood Sweet and Tears, Tower of Power , Ted Heath and the Crusaders. Sax Players: David Sanborn, Wilton Felder & King Curtis. Finally, if you have every watched the movies Where Eagles Dare and Snatch, Nigel has also seen these films!
Rob Speight
Trumpet
Rob’s introduction to live music was brought about through bands, but he soon realised that big bands were where his real passion lay and, from his teens onwards, Rob has been involved with a number of big bands and dance bands throughout the region. This has led to TV appearances, European tours and the privilege to play along side some of the jazz greats such as Bobby Shew, Don Lusher and Harry Eddison, as well more contemporary figures such as Richard Hawley and Leo Sayer.
Function bands have always featured highly in the work that he has done, everything from soul bands to Guggen bands (Google it!) and Groove Council is where he now has the best possible time with his trumpet!