Velvet Groove is a new musical platform of North-American multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, Eric Valentine. Whether he is touring Japan, Australia, Russia, and Europe or having his music licensed for play at businesses throughout the United States, has earned an incredible reputation in the world of jazz. A native of Washington D.C. and currently living in Los Angeles, Valentine is widely viewed as one of the “first calls” that contemporary and smooth jazz artists make when they need a master drummer or band leader.
Much of Valentine’s energy is directed at touring with popular artists like Steve Lukather (of Toto), Steve Vai, Jonathan Butler, and Patti LaBelle. His time with Lukather during the Ever Changing Times Tour included performances at Zepp Nagoya, IMP Hall, and Kosei Nankin in Osaka. He has also performed in Japan with several other popular artists, such as Richard Elliot, Peter White, and Mindi Abair. Valentine teamed up with Lukather and Vai for the 2012 “G3 Tour” with shows at Amsterdam’s Paradiso and O2 Arena in Germany. He has also performed live at the Hollywood Bowl, in front of 15-thousand people at Musikmesse in Frankfurt as well as backing other artists at countless music festivals around the world.
Even with the majority of his time spent touring and performing live, Valentine has still found time to record for other artists as well as recording two of his own albums. His debut album, “Eric Valentine’s Jazz Impressions”, was released in 2003 and was licensed for use by quality of life services company, Sodexo. The company used the music to entertain customers at its café locations in several US states. Additionally, Valentine’s music has been licensed by Mood Music (formerly Muzak), which provides mood music to shopping and retail centers around the world.
Valentine recently wrapped up work on his second album entitled “Velvet Groove.” Velvet Groove, the album and band, is an extension of Valentine’s musical vision that will feature vocalist Baskerville Jones and instrumentalists who are respected around the world.