Meet the Band
Rick "Pepper" Holmes
Drummer/ Vocalist/ Writer/ Arranger/ Producer
Rick​ ​is​ ​a​ ​long-time​ ​resident​ ​of​​ ​Philadelphia​. Self-taught,​ ​Rick​ ​began​ ​playing​ ​drums​ ​at​ ​9​ ​years old.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​local​ ​success​ ​in​ ​his​ ​high​ ​school​ ​band, The​ ​Untouchables,​ ​opening​ ​for​ ​Kool​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Gang and other artists.
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​Rick​ ​toured​ ​the​ ​world​ ​with​ ​Blue​ ​Magic​ ​for​ ​two​ ​years​ ​until​ ​he​ ​joined​ ​The​ ​Stylistics, and​ ​continued​ ​to​ ​tour​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​Rick​ ​shared​ ​the​ ​stage​ ​with​ ​The​ ​Chi-Lites,​ ​The Dramatics​ ​and​ ​Ray,​ ​Goodman​ ​and​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​other​ ​top​ ​recording​ ​artists​ ​of​ ​that time.​ ​After​ ​leaving​ ​The​ ​Stylistics,​ ​Rick​ ​lived​ ​in​ ​Japan​ ​for​ ​a​ ​year​ ​until​ ​returning​ ​to the​ ​U.S.A​ ​to​ ​form​ ​his​ ​own​ ​original​ ​funk​ ​dance​ ​band,​ ​Original Groove​ Circus.​ ​
With​ ​roots​ ​in soul,​ ​R&B,​ ​rock​ ​and​ ​funk​ ​music,​ ​Rick’s​ ​musical​ ​interests​ ​are​ diverse​ ​and​ ​he excels​ ​in​ ​playing​ ​many​ ​genres​ ​of​ ​music.​ ​Rick​ ​is​ ​well​ ​known​ ​among​ ​his​ ​fellow​ ​musicians​ ​for his​ ​impeccable​ ​pocket.​ ​“My​ ​favorite​ ​style​ ​of​ ​music​ ​to​ ​play​ ​is​ ​dance​ ​music.​ ​I​ ​love to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​smiles​ ​on​ ​people’s​ ​faces​ ​when​ ​they​ ​are​ ​grooving​ ​on​ ​the​ ​dance​ ​floor!”
John H. Martin
Bass
John started playing music at an early age: from violin, to trumpet, keyboards to bass guitar. John found his niche playing the bass, as a CBS recording artist with R&B group, Mission.
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John has had the opportunity to work with some of the most respected names in the music industry. Odean Pope, Gerald Veasley, Victor Bailey, Gary Willis, Ray Goodman & Brown, Change, Tyrone Brown, The Miracles, Randy Bowland and the legendary Ray Charles just to name a few.
John is the CoFounder, Music Director & CoExecutive Producer, (along with his wife of 30 plus years, Karen & daughter Starr Martin), of his own television talk show 'CELEBRITIES IN THE BASEMENT' which airs 3 times every week on public access stations, through Comcast & Verizon Fios, on Phillycam in Philadelphia, PA and NasdTV in Norristown, PA, Montgomery county.
John is currently a member of the funk group, Original Groove Circus, a member of the Philadelphia Clef Club and NAACP; has volunteered his time and talent with the Purple Heart, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the York Town Community Organization. John believes that everyone has a God given talent; that with the right guidance and direction, it can be brought to the surface.
Jesse Loewy
Lead Guitar
Music has always been a big part of Jesse's life. He got his first guitar at three. He taught himself to play the guitar by watching DVDs of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
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Jesse also began studying the cello. He took lessons from Maie Shin of Old City Music School in Philadelphia for nine years, then began studying with Ronald Lipscomb of the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music.
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In 2011,Jesse formed his own band and performed with them professionally doing bar/restaurant gigs. The Jesse Loewy Band advanced to performing at various festivals and establishments including; King Biscuit Blues Festival, Briggs Farm Blues Festival, Destination Blues Festival, World Cafe Live at the Queen, Rose Tree Park Summer Festival, The Ardmore Music Hall, Paoli Blues Festival, State Street Blues Stroll, Media Food Festival. Jesse’s ability to make connections led to many opportunities to share the stage with many wonderful musicians including; Marcus Miller, David Bromberg, Al Chez (Former trumpet player for the Late Show with David Letterman), Herb Smith (Patti Labelle’s guitar player for over 20 years), Lonnie Shields, Leroy Hawkes, Slam Allen, Conrad Herwig, and many more. As much as Jesse loves to play the blues, his classically trained upbringing helped him expand his ability to play Jazz along with many other styles.
Jesse’s natural ability and love to perform on stage, his impressive work ethic, humble demeanor, and innate unbounded talent is sure to take him anywhere he wants to go.
Gerand X
Vocalist
Gerand X sang in Southeast Asia as a frontman for 30 years. He is fluent in Mandarin and Thai. Soul and jazz are his main influences.
Gerand X recently starred as Mr. James Brown in the Legends of Soul Tribute Review, and in another production he starred as Rick James!
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Damon "Mr. Dizzy Fingers" Bennett
Keyboard
Damon is also a producer and composer. He began his singing career singing in the church choir. By age 13 Damon was an adept keyboardist. He has worked with the greats, such as JZ, the Roots' Ahmir Thompson, and other neo-soul scene musicians such as Jill Scott.
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His primary influences are Quincy Jones, Gamble and Huff, Stravinsky, and John Coltrane. He has composed works for the Freedom Theater, the Prince Theater and Crossroads Theater. He lives and loves jazz, R&B and gospel styles of playing.
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"MUSIC IS FOOD"
Book Us Today
Our band plays in clubs, festivals, and private parties. We play cover music plus original songs. Let our versatile and talented musicians make your event an evening to remember!
Label
Circus Records
info@originalgroovecircus.com
Management
Ricky Holmes
originalgroovecircus@gmail.com
Book The Band
Ricky Holmes
originalgroovecircus@gmail.com
856-236-5429
