Patrons of the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival Sept. 8-9 got more than art and wine when they rounded the corner of Castro and Dana Street. The percussion group GrooveCamp served up the rhythm of bongos, congas, djembe, ashiko, and other instruments with an extra helping of soul.
“Who are these guys?” fairgoers asked. One listener saw the band’s Australian didjeridu and asked, “Where are they from?”
GrooveCamp is headquartered right in our community, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Mountain View.
The band’s music is all original, mostly composed by founder Brian Crumrine. GrooveCamp performers play percussion instruments from around the world, with a full drum kit and an electric bass as well. They make music with their hands, their voices, and even the gutters on the street.
Crumrine graduated from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1990. He has played professionally for 14 years, touring with pop-rock, R&B and fusion bands on the East Coast and the Bay Area.
GrooveCamp started in 1998 when Crumrine came to St. Timothy’s. At the rector’s suggestion, Crumrine put together an audience-participation percussion event for the congregation that sounded, according to a friend, like “Brian’s little groove camp.” Crumrine liked the phrase, the community loved the event, and GrooveCamp was born. It’s still a ministry of the church, which provides rehearsal space and the use of recording equipment.
GrooveCamp, now comprising seven members, has played at every Mountain View Art and Wine Festival since 1998. They have also played for a San Jose Clash (now Earthquakes) soccer game, the Mountain View Afribbean Festival and many other gigs.
Crumrine hopes to inspire as well as entertain, sharing his joy in his Christian faith with his audiences. “I try to write music that makes you feel something, that stays with you,” he said.
GrooveCamp’s CD, “Got Soul,” is available via its web site, www.GrooveCamp.com.
