The Phoenix Euge Groove

• 1 Heart Of Gold 04:57
• 2 The Phoenix 05:20
• 3 Wrapped Around Your Finger 04:59
• 4 Those Nights Alone 05:32
• 5 Odysseus 05:19
• 6 Better Days 04:36
• 7 For The Love Of The Game 05:54
• 8 At Peace 05:01
• 9 Lil' Man 04:57
• 10 Devil-may-care 05:13
• Total Runtime 51:48

Info for The Phoenix

“I am The Phoenix!” exclaims Steven EUGEne GROoVE. “After all that has happened in my life over the last several years, I literally am The Phoenix! In the story of the Greek Phoenix, he lived an amazing life, which is why he was reduced into ashes from flames of bright, vibrant colors. His transformation was meant to take his life to the next level to live out eternity. Sometimes you have to burn it all down and rebuild to get there.” Euge Groove’s highly anticipated new album, The Phoenix (a follow-up to 2023’s lauded Comfort Zone), is not merely a new recording from one of Contemporary Jazz’s luminaries but it is a bold declaration of the evolution of a man, musician and spiritual being. Having recovered from life-saving open heart surgery—aided by his remarkable Bernedoodle, Odysseus, a service dog trained in cardiac alert—there is something serendipitous about Euge Groove’s new album being his fourteenth. In many religions and cultures, the number fourteen is often viewed as a symbol of balance, harmony, and spiritual growth, which are all areas coming into focus for the saxophonist. The Phoenix (available everywhere July 17, 2026) is his most spirit inspired statement yet and it highlights his compelling compositions and keen arrangements. Throughout the recording, his laid-back yet audacious playing rings with a clear, satisfying intention. The prolific musician, who has collaborated with iconic artists ranging from Tina Turner, Tower of Power, and The Eurythmics to Aaron Neville, Huey Lewis, and Joe Cocker, shares: “I really wasn’t sure I was going to get to the finish line on this album. I’m just seeking peace right now. I’m attracted to peaceful people, places, and things, and I think the album reflects that. There is less urgency than in past projects. It is more relaxed and fun. I feel like I’ve returned to the reasons I got into music to begin with.”

Euge Groove admits that his entire life changed in January 2025 after an extensive and harrowing open-heart surgery that came with a prognosis of a year-long recovery. He shares, “I had to crawl to the bathroom holding the heart shaped pillow they gave me to hold when I left the hospital in case I passed out. I was 100% alone in my home, hallucinating, and hearing conversations. Getting through something like that through sheer willpower changed me for the better.” Euge recounts an encounter with a wise older Orthodox Jewish gentleman who passed on some mind-bending information to him. “He told me that the universe gifted me a spiritual awakening, and I believe he is correct,” confesses the saxophonist. “The biggest thing this experience has given me is ‘no fear.’ I even find myself attracted to challenging situations. I equate it to Gary Sinise’s character in Forrest Gump. When he and Forrest are out on the shrimping boat in the middle of a once-in-a-century hurricane, and Gary looks up at God and says, ‘You call this a storm? Come on! You call this a storm?’ No fear. That’s real freedom. Real peace. And the honest truth is, if going through what I went through is the price one must pay for a spiritual awakening, I’d do it all over in a second.”

Euge Groove completed The Phoenix in June of 2024 with the exception of one small detail… “No saxophone!” he laughingly exclaims. “I just didn’t have the energy, and that was for obvious reasons unknown at the time.” To say that Euge got by with a little help from some friends is not just a Joe Cocker song.

He was blessed to collaborate with several longtime friends and musical companions who have been instrumental in his music-making process for years. Keyboardist/arranger Tracy Carter and bassist Corney Mims have worked with Euge Groove dating back to his 2007 album Born 2 Groove. “I was barely functioning at the beginning of 2024 when Tracy, Corney, and I started the writing in my studio. They saw that I was struggling and said, ‘We got your back,’ and that just meant so much to me. They have been so instrumental in helping to shape the sound of Euge Groove to where it is today.” Guitarist and labelmate Paul Brown also played a huge role in the success of finalizing the album. “I shouldn’t have been able to put the sax on the album the way that I did. I was only getting 15 minutes at a time at home without having to take a break, and when I pushed it too hard, I was done for the day. I had decided to cut the saxes with Paul Brown like the old days, to take some of the responsibility off of myself. Just play the sax. Well, day one, I cut for four or five hours and not one drop of fatigue. Completely unexplainable. That continued for the entire album.” Trusted musical comrades, drummer Trevor Lawrence Jr., percussionist Lenny Castro, and guitarist Jubu Smith also join Euge Groove on The Phoenix.

The Phoenix opens with the effervescent, buoyant and ethereal R&B number “Heart Of Gold,” showcasing Euge Groove’s penchant for composing unforgettable melodies and his undeniably gorgeous soprano tone. The album title and first single is hard to resist with its driving funk rhythm, burly tenor soul, and its mounting and soaring optimism. It has the triumphant vibe of Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now.” There were many divine and unexplainable moments while creating The Phoenix. Euge recalls that when he recorded “The Phoenix,” after he played the bridge, Paul Brown looked at him and said, “Well, you got your soaring Phoenix bridge!” Ironically, Paul didn’t even know that the song was called “The Phoenix.” In an ode to the mythical “Phoenix,” Euge has 14 feather tattoos, a Phoenix, and Sisyphus and the eternal Bolder on his body with plans to add four more (you can see some images in the album packaging). “They are a reminder of what I need to achieve in the remainder of my days in this dimension and the next. New Year’s resolutions can last a day. Tattoos are forever,” states Euge. The R&B-infused “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” dedicated to his first granddaughter, showcases Euge’s resplendent tone and flawless runs, creating an emotion filled musical journey that transitions into a cathartic quiet storm anthem that easily pulls on your heartstrings. The wistful waltz “Those Nights Alone” finds Euge Groove bearing all as he pours his soul into each and every note on his resonant tenor. His ability to stir deep emotion and summon quiet reflection come into sharp focus on this unforgettable ballad.

The Phoenix would not be complete without the euphoric, rhythm-happy and life-affirming tribute “Odysseus,” Euge Groove’s remarkable service dog, who has been a consummate friend, support, and inspiration during the saxophonist’s journey. The buoyant and percolating groove captures the love Euge holds for his Bernedoodle. The layering of Euge’s sax and the driving rhythms of the tune unleash the uncontainable celebration “He is never more than ten feet away from me and always has an eye on me. He literally saved my life when I got him. I needed him more than I ever knew,” shares Euge. “I credit him with literally saving my life in every way imaginable. God put him in my life when he was only nine weeks old, and it was very early on in my yearlong recovery. I could barely handle him. One day, I just closed the door to my bedroom with him in there, crashed on the bed, and said I’ll just wing it. The universe new exactly what it was doing when he put Odysseus on my doorstep. It new exactly what I needed in my life.” The ballad “Better Days” is a poignant reminder of the power of enduring hope while the sultry and bluesy “For the Love of the Game” remind us how much of a master Euge Groove is at story telling as his sax trills and thrills, stops and bursts with joy, ease and fluidity. The Phoenix also features the arresting “At Peace.” This masterpiece creates one of the most moving moments on the album with its cyclical anchoring chord progression and melodic structure that serves as an affirmation as Euge’s saxophone preaches the spirit of serenity that graces each and every note he summons. Euge recalls, “At Peace” was an exceptionally special moment and intimate moment during the recording.

“I have always written and cut every song in the order that it appears on the final album but this time, I put off ‘At Peace’ until the last song. I had no idea what to do with it. It’s a great vibe, but the form is odd, even though the time signature is 4/4. When it was time to record, I sat on Paul’s sofa in his studio and would try to pick a good reed and warm up while the track is playing in the background. Finding a reed for me can be a 30 minute or more drama filled with lots of cursing. I slapped a reed on, started to blow, and about 90 seconds later, I told Paul I better get in front of a microphone. He agreed. One take, and that was it. I had no idea what I was going to play beforehand. I truly believe the Universe used my body to play that song.” Also showcases on the album is the bopping groove of the up-tempo swinger “Lil’ Man” a nod to his home’s other dog, Romeo, which delights and the fancy-free, soul drenched vibe of “Devil My Care.” The latter is the perfect conclusion as The Phoenix nods to Euge’s newfound freedom and his pursuit of peace and joy.

A graduate of the University of Miami’s School of Music, Steven Eugene Grove (better known as Euge Groove) was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and grew up in a musical home. His mother played the piano and taught the Cherub choir at Christ Lutheran Church. He began his own musical pursuits at age seven, starting with the piano and adding the saxophone at nine. It was in elementary school where he discovered that music was his true calling. “In fifth grade, I thought I’d be in school band the rest of my life.” He later discovered two saxophonists who had a profound effect on his approach to playing. “One was French classical player Marcel Mule, who really defined what the sax was supposed to sound like for me, and the other was David Sanborn, who took that sound and brought it into the mainstream world,” Euge reminisces. Explaining his varied influences, he notes, “I’ve listened to everyone from Grover Washington, Jr. and David Sanborn, to Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, as well as Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, King Curtis, Junior Walker, Richard Elliot, and Kirk Whalum. The thing is, the more mature we become, the more those influences fuse into something new. I always listened to a lot of R&B growing up, fused that with pop music, and then with gospel. Hopefully, all these influences come through in my music, and I am able to create my own unique expression.”

With the release of The Phoenix, Euge Groove is looking forward to hitting the road and playing a few of the cuts from the new album live. “I am going out with a new objective; having fun! I want to do shows because I want to, not have to. Making music is an extremely selfish endeavor. You’re basically making music that you personally would like to listen to. The fact that someone else shares my view of it the same way is an unexplainable high. Truly a gift from the universe that doesn’t go unnoticed by me.”

Euge Groove

Euge Groove
“Fear and creativity can not live in the same room,” declares free-spirited and consummate chart-topping saxophonist, composer, producer and radio host Euge Groove. “You can’t bring fear into the creative process. It took me a while to get that.” Euge Groove’s Ying and Yang and ebb and flow approach to his artistry and life have allowed him to enjoy a career longevity that is atypical. The highly sought after musical chameleon has been called upon for his musical prowess by everyone from Rock `N' Roll Hall of Famer Tina Turner and balladeer Luther Vandross to UK Blues Rocker Joe Cocker, Richard Marx, Tower of Power and Huey Lewis and the News, among countless others. A road warrior, Euge Groove stays at the top of his game by maintaining a busy touring schedule. “I love live performance, which is probably pretty obvious to anyone that has seen me live,” shares the charismatic saxman. “On a sonic level, I try to capture the space of a live performance when I record. Instead of going for a really ‘dry’ soundstage, I try to envision what the sound would be if it was playing on a theater or small venue stage.” August 19, 2014 Shanachie Entertainment will release GOT 2 BE GROOVIN’, created over a six month period and the latest installment in Euge Groove’s musical evolution. “It was a blessing to take some time off from touring and really be able to focus on the creating this project,” states Euge. “I’ve built a great studio here at the ‘Groove House’ and it makes me feel good just to sit in it. I’ll light a bunch of candles, incense, warm lighting, and just open the mind to music. It’s an amazing feeling.”

In an industry where artists are consistently put in a box and categorized, Euge Groove remains an artist who chooses to continually push the boundaries and let his music go where his heart leads. “Good music is good music, no matter what.” Euge’s open heart and ears have led him to the top of the charts multiple times resulting in thirteen #1 hits.GOT 2 BE GROOVIN’ is sure to find a home at the top once again.

GOT 2 BE GROOVIN’ is an exhilarating set of nine originals and one cover that opens with Euge’s soaring soprano saxophone on the alluring “Forever And A Day,” giving a nod to Shakespeare in typical Euge tradition. The album’s title track and first single embodies all the right ingredients for a Euge Groove smash hit, as he struts his stuff and pulls out all the stops concocting a timeless organic groove of jazz, R&B, funk and soul. “This song came out one morning after I had gone to bed diggin’ on James Brown,” explains Euge. “He always had groove that turned the snare beat around and I wanted to capture that but in a modern studio kind of way.” Euge nails the track with its freight train guitar, rolling Hammond B 3 and funk horn section that would have done the ‘Godfather of Soul’ proud. In addition to paying homage to musical influences on GOT 2 BE GROOVIN’, Euge gives us insight into some of the people closest to him. A family man, many of the album tracks are inspired by his family, including the irresistibly spunky and sparkling R&B number “Miss Bane,” which highlights Euge’s ethereal soprano and was penned in honor of his wife. Euge also dedicated the album’s one cover, the Doug Edwards and David Richardson song “Wild Flower,” to his wife stating that “every lyric in the song seems like it was written just for her.” Through the years “Wild Flower” has been recorded by everyone from The O’Jays and The Neville Brothers to Johnny Mathis and Blake Shelton. Euge’s rendition features Elliot Yamin of American Idol fame who delivers a warm and moving version.

The sweet and mellifluous ditty “Hey Hey Lil’ Lilah Belle” captures the jubilant and beautiful energy of Euge’s daughter while “Homie Grown” finds him in good company collaborating with some like-minded creative spirits including guitarist Paul Brown, keyboardist and guitarist Jeff Carruthers, and bassist Roberto Vally. A special highlight onGOT 2 BE GROOVIN’ is the introspective and gorgeous gospel-inflected “Rain Down On Me,” featuring Peter White’s impressionistic guitar in a delicate dance with Euge’s robust tenor. “I associate this song with God and it is about asking for a cleansing of the soul. It is something I beg for from time to time,” confides the multi-instrumentalist.

“Groovin Up Hip Street” calls to mind magical vibes of The Blackbyrd’s with its magical groove. Euge shares, “I had an idea to write a song that if it was playing while you were swaggering with confidence on the ‘hip street’ wherever you are and it was playing behind you, this is what it would sound like. It’s four-on-the-floor kick drum is your foot-step and your finger snaps and hand claps push the groove. There is no snare drum on this cut, which is a first for me. Just snaps and claps.” Who wouldn’t want theme a like this?!

Euge Groove pays homage to his West Coast roots with “Tango in Tio.” T.O., being a nickname given to his Thousand Oaks neighborhood. GOT 2 BE GROOVIN’ closes with “In Love with You” featuring vocalist Chanel Haynes from Trin-i-Tee 5:7. Euge explains how he connected with the singer. “My wife happened to be at her sister’s house in Austin for a party and was helping to clean up when she heard someone singing in the next room. She was freaking out over her voice. It turned out to be Chanel. Her voice is ridiculous. At times it’s like listening to Toni Braxton, then she goes all Tina Turner on you!”

Born Steven Eugene Grove in Hagerstown, Maryland, Euge Groove grew up in a musical home. His mother played piano and taught the Cherub choir at Christ Lutheran Church and he began his own musical pursuits at the age of seven, beginning with the piano and adding the saxophone at nine. But for Euge it was in elementary school where he discovered that music was his calling. “In fifth grade I thought I'd be in school band the rest of my life.” He later discovered two saxophonists who had a profound effect on his approach to playing. “One was French classical player Marcel Mule, who really defined what the sax was supposed to sound like for me and the other was David Sanborn. He took that sound and brought it into the mainstream world,” reminisces the worldly saxophonist. Through the years, Euge’s love of Jazz, R&B, Gospel and Blues have all come together to inform his personalized sound. He explains, “I've listened to everyone from Grover (Washington Jr.) and (David) Sanborn to (Charlie) Parker and (John) Coltrane as well as (Michael) Brecker, (Stan) Getz, King Curtis, Junior Walker, Richard Elliott and Kirk Whalum. The thing is, the more mature we become the more those influences fuse into something new. I always listened to a lot of R&B growing up, fused that with Pop music, then with the Gospel music. Hopefully all of these influences come through in my music and I am able to create my own unique expression.”

A graduate of the University of Miami's School of Music, Euge launched his professional career in Miami in the mid 80s, playing in Salsa bands, top 40 club bands and doing the occasional high profile session date like Expose's “Seasons Change,” a #1 Billboard AC hit. Not long after he moved to L.A. in 1987, he wrote a track for Richard Elliot's THE POWER OF SUGGESTION album, and Elliot recommended Euge to take over his spot in Tower of Power. Euge toured with TOP for four years, including a year backing Huey Lewis & The News. His resume grew from there to include recording, touring or performing stints with Joe Cocker, The Eurythmics, The Gap Band, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville and Richard Marx. Marx included Euge's horn on “Keep Coming Back,” a #1 AC hit duet he recorded with Luther Vandross. In 1999, coming off the road after two years of touring with popular Italian singer Eros Ramazotti and Joe Cocker, the saxophonist paved the way for his eventual solo stardom by recording some tracks of his own. Without a record label to distribute the music, Euge put his songs on the now-defunct MP3.com website, dubbing himself “Euge Groove” and downloading started almost immediately and Euge was soon topping the MP3.com Jazz chart.

He signed soon thereafter with Warner Bros. “Vinyl,” his first single from his self-titled Warner Bros. debut, set a record by spending 27 weeks on the R&R charts, eventually ranking at #24 for the year. PLAY DATE kept the trend going with two more #1 radio hits, “Slam Dunk” and “Rewind.” In 2004, Euge Groove's Narada debut, LIVIN' LARGE, spent 68 weeks on the Billboard charts, debuted at #4 and came in at #25 overall for 2004. "Livin' Large," the single, was the #5 most played song for 2004 on the R&R singles chart. "XXL" spent 36 weeks on the radio chart. JUST FEELS RIGHT followed in 2005 and its first single, "Get Em Goin'," was #1 for two months.

BORN TO GROOVE followed in 2007 and featured several chart-topping singles, including “song of the year” for Relgify. His Shanachie debut was in 2009 and included the #1 smash hit title track and the top five single “All For You.” 2011 saw the release of S7VEN LARGE whose title track scored a #1 hit. 2012 brought the release of HOUSE OF GROOVE, which spawned two #1 hits.

When Euge Groove is not in the studio or on the road he finds comfort in being with his family, cooking, swimming, running, playing with animals and gardening. The saxman who makes his home his sanctuary confides, “It is my prayer that when people hear this new music that they will listen and be relaxed through this new journey.”

Booklet for The Phoenix