WWho / what are your influences?

The members of Groundation come from a wide variety of
musical backgrounds. Most of us have a solid background of Jazz music from the Bop and post Bop area (Mingus, Miles, Parker, Coltrane, Monk). We also have deep rock, funk, and fusion influences such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, James Brown, the Meters, Parliament. I come from a life long love and connection to roots reggae music such as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Culture, Israel Vibration, etc. We are really a musical collective that has grown and taken shape through the years
since 1998.

Basically we love groove music of all kinds; Hip Hop, Reggae, Jazz,Funk, Rock, etc. with a high degree of energy based off group improvisation.

How long ago did groundation form and how did you guys meet?

In 1996 Ryan Newman (bass) and I (vocals/guitars) began our studies at Sonoma State University in Northern California. Marcus Urani (keys) joined us in the spring of 1997, the three of us were part of the SSU Jazz program. We were joined in 1999 by Kelsey Howard(trombone) and Jason Robinson (sax) would also join us at the University. We began Groundation as a Quintet in 1998 and the horn section including Bay Area Jazz trumpeter David Chachere would permanently join the group in the first days of 2000. Both Paul Spina (drums) and Mingo Lewis Jr. (percussion) were long time musical friends of the group.

Which do you prefer to do and why: writing new music, or playing live?

We have a great love and passion for both musical art forms (writing and recording / performing live). The studio and stage are two separate monsters and we treat them so.

With an album you have this opportunity to cement a moment in time. You have the ability to scrutinize and perfect each musical idea. We feel free to use any sort of instrumentation that fits that mood or vibe without regard to how we might pull it off live.

There has always been this feeling that we are recording this music not just for us here, but for the generations that may come in the future and be inspired by Groundation and our sound...we may leave a stone behind for someone to pick up and carry a bit further.

Live is whole different energy all together. There you are in front of maybe 200 or maybe 25,000 people who are all alive an attentive and want to be taken to new places. We are always changing songs and keeping the sets moving from night to night. We may play a song that the group hasn't performed in months. Also there's this energy with a Groundation performance that is very rare. Each musician on that stage is trying to do something and reach a place that they've never been before. Each one is improvising and adding their particular voice to the group improvisational moment. That is not achieved very much today...people willing to step out on the edge and possibly fall, but just might make it to a new place a new height. I love performing with these musicians.

What can we expect to see / hear from groundation in the future?

Big things...new sounds, new energy. It's just time...time and money as a barrier, but we will break through.

What can you tell us about the new album?

I do feel that it is truly our best work to date. Pablo Moses and IJahman (guest vocalists) sound unbelievable and having their unique style presence on this album is something special. Also our arrangements and overall concepts are very connected and centered. I think that this is the best moments for Groundation on an album. There are moments when the song feels like one continues groove, not individual musicians performing their part.

Jim Fox did an unbelievable job on this record. Each instrument has a richness to them and it gives the album a very classic sound. The Organ and Rhodes sound great, the drums, the bass, Kelsey's trombone, Dave's Trumpet, and Jason's Sax, the vocals...I am very pleased with how the album's turned out, very pleased.

The story behind the music of Upon The Bridge is our fifth album. It has its lineage from our previous work...it is today, it is now. As we desperately search for solid ground and a peaceful longevity to life we find ourselves upon the bridge. Our future is unknown, but our lives and decisions today will drive us to our destination.

I know that this language is very vague, but the music is meant to be felt an interpreted for the individual in their own way. When people ask me to summarize a particular album I usually tell them that the ideas and concepts are very deep and layered in metaphors...the best summery is the song lyrics themselves.