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classicgroove

Bios

Steven Tashjian

Band Leader

Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, and Soprano) / Clarinet

Steve Tashjian’s talent and passion for music form the nucleus of Classic Groove. Steve began playing music at the age of 10 and first studied clarinet with Charles Movsessian. While attending the Boston Conservatory, Steve studied with Atilio Poto, Professor and Member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Steve has also studied Middle Eastern music with violinist Fred Elias.

Karen Ranieri

Lead Female Vocalist

Karen was born in New York and started her career there, singing jazz, blues and rock from an early age. She later fell into the Massachusetts South Shore open mic blues scene, where she was welcomed and mentored by seasoned pros who remain friends today. One of Karen’s favorite projects was a traveling Tammy Wynette tribute, for which she sang harmony and duet. She has provided lead vocals for several bands and also performed harmonies and backups on CDs with John Burrows and the Cocabanana Band, and members of the Mass Country Music Association. Karen’s musical influences include Doo-Wop and Motown, Susan Tedeschi, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles and the Dixie Chicks.

Gretchen Bostrom

Lead Female Vocalist, Jazz

Gretchen Bostrom is a blues and jazz singer from the Boston area, and the lead vocalist for Classic Groove Jazz. In addition, she is a founding member and lead vocalist for the blues band The Juke Joint Five, and a vocalist with Mighty Groove, a soul, funk & R&B band. Gretchen also performs frequently in the New England area as a solo blues and jazz artist. Gretchen has pursued voice studies in blues, folk, and jazz styles, and currently studies with renowned jazz/folk/musical theatre vocalist Celia Slattery. Gretchen’s unique vocal style, sound, and approach to music demonstrates the influence of her favorite blues and jazz singers, including Ruth Brown, Koko Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Julie London, Nat King Cole, Bonnie Raitt, and Eva Cassidy.

Lee Lundy

Bass Guitar

Lee Lundy was educated at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and Miami Dade Community College of Music in Florida. Lee has performed extensively throughout the Boston area for nearly thirty years. His work includes performances with groups such as Percy Sledge, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the Drifters, Luther Guitar Johnson, Little Joe Cook, James Montgomery, and Shirley Lewis, as well as with many other local and national acts.

Paul Dillon

Drums and Vocals

Paul has drummed for numerous bands and music projects ranging from pop and rhythm & blues to classic rock and pick-up jazz trios. His recording and production of original music took a star turn when he landed an audition on TV’s Star Search in the 1980s. Currently, Paul gives private lessons and plays with a number of area bands. He can be reached through his website, pauldillondrums.com.

Face

Keyboard

Having already established himself as a versatile musician in the NYC area (Keys, guitar, bass, and vocals), Face came to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music in the early 80’s and further his musical education. He graduated in 1985 with high honors as an arranging major, and has since performed with many well known New England artists, recorded on numerous CDs, and played in venues ranging from small local bars to Boston’s Symphony Hall. Favorite Quote: “Less is More…!”

Ross Hahn

Guitar

Ross Hahn was born in the midwest and spent his early years in Yellowstone National Park where his Dad was a Park Ranger Naturalist. Currently hailing from West Gloucester, MA, he has toured North America with a variety of bands in numerous formats. Strongly influenced by blues-rock, country and jazz, his playing style continues the traditions of those genres. Joining Classic Groove in 2011, Ross contributes to the unique sound of a truly remarkable group.

Kevin Magarian

Lead and Rhythm Guitars

Kevin Magarian has played both acoustic and electric guitar since the age of 9. He studied with William Brenshaw of Berklee College and violinist Fred Elias. Kevin has performed with various bands in the Greater Boston area and throughout New England. His special areas of interest are rock, rhythm & blues, Latin, and Middle Eastern music.