From: Warlick, Corey
Date: Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 1:15 PM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove for NC Bankers last Fri 6/23
To: Andy Jaspen
Andy,
Affirmative Groove did a great job last week for the NC Bankers Association. Marrell is amazing to work with - great guy! Their jazz set is the best I have heard in 7 years at The Greenbrier.
Thanks for asking. I’d love to have them back.
Corey Warlick
Manager of Music & Entertainment
The Greenbrier Resort
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From: Natalie Jones
Date: Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
Everything went wonderfully! Affirmative Groove was amazing! They did such a great job, the dance floor was completely packed the entire night! They played the special songs we requested, accommodated a special song sung by one of my bridesmaids, and kept the party going all night long. I was beyond pleased with their performance and how everything went! I would be happy to recommend them in the future and will be sure to share my experience with them!
Thank you,
Natalie Jones
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From: Lisa Braden
Date: Wed, May 31, 2017 at 9:38 AM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: Mike Miglino
Hello Mike,
Affirmative Groove is definitely our favorite band at Regency. The residents love them!!! Marrell is always professional and very easy to work with. Thank you so much for checking with me. I am always willing to help with anything regarding this band.
Have a great day!
Lisa Braden
Director of Activities and Communications
Regency at Dominion Valley Owners Association
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From: Mercedes Mosby
Date: Mon, May 8, 2017 at 8:12 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: Mike Miglino
Mike,
Marrell and the band were great! They know their audience and played like there was no tomorrow! Our Dinner Dance Club would recommend them again for sure. They were professional, yet personable! Music was great!
Thanks,
Mercedes
Sent from my iPhone
From: Madison Rogers
Date: Wed, May 3, 2017 at 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Cc: Becky Rogers
Hi Justin,
Thanks so much! We had a wonderful time. Affirmative Groove was the BEST!! Very interactive with the crowd, great song list, and wonderful singing. I would keep them high on your list of bands for people to look into for future weddings.
Thanks so much,
Madison
From: Nguyen, Elsa Tuong-Vi -
Date: Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: 4/1 Affirmative Groove
To: Justin Paciocco
Hi Justin!
So sorry for the delayed response. We LOVED Affirmative Groove. So many people told me how it was the best band we ever got to perform for one of our formals! No complaints. Even the girls dates in fraternities were interested in getting their business cards for the future. Thank you so much for making it so easy to book them. I really enjoyed my experience working with Sam Hill.
Best,
Elsa Nguyen
From: Joyce Blight
Date: Wed, Mar 29, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Dear Justin --
Our dealings with Sam Hill Entertainment and with Affirmative Groove have been very professional. We appreciated all the timely follow up to each stage of the contract.
We enjoyed every minute of the band's performance. We have had tons of compliments on how much fun our wedding guests had listening and dancing to Affirmative Groove. As my husband put it, "If you don't want to hit the dance floor with Affirmative Groove playing, you might as well close the lid on your coffin."
We would be pleased to recommend Sam Hill Entertainment and Affirmative Groove to anyone.
Sincerely,
Joyce Blight
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From: Sue Kallamadi
Date: Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 1:21 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Mike,
We just got back from our honeymoon and are catching up. Everything was amazing, and Affirmative Groove was one of the highlights of our reception. They were INCREDIBLE, brought so much energy, were so nice and just perfect. All the guests raved about them and had such an amazing time. Thank you so much for all your help, it was such a wonderful time!
My Best,
Sue
From: Mallory Smith
Date: Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 9:42 PM
Subject: Re: Photos of Your Wedding Band
To: Andy @ Sam Hill
HI Andy,
I just wanted to let you know that Affirmative Groove was such a great band to work with for our wedding! They made the reception so much fun! Marrell was so communicative and did an amazing job. The band had great energy the whole night and kept our guests (of all ages!) on the dance floor. I'm so glad we worked with you guys and hope I'll have an occasion to hear them play again sometime. Our photographer got some great shots of them, too.
Many thanks,
Mallory
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From: Erin Daniel
Date: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 at 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Mike - the band was absolutely amazing! our guests are still talking about them - they really played a big part in making our wedding day one to remember! Working with you was very easy & stress free ... everything a bride could hope for! Once I have some time to sit down and not just wing feedback to check the box, I will absolutely leave nothing but positive thoughts about our experience of working with you!
Erin
From: Mallory Smith
Date: December 19, 2016
To: Marrell Elam
Subject: Re: Thank you from Affirmative Groove
Hi Marrell,
We had an absolute blast on Saturday and are so happy that you all could perform at our wedding! You all made the evening so much fun and it wouldn't have been the same without you! We enjoyed the variety of songs and especially appreciate you putting together the special father/daughter combination for us! Thank you for coming down and I hope that you enjoyed the evening too!!
Thanks again and Merry Christmas!
Mallory and Ryan
From: Laura Elizabeth Mann
Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 4:22 PM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Justin,
The band was outstanding! They had everyone on the dance floor. They were wonderful and I was able to drop in and talk to them before they played and they were all so nice. Very talented and I’ll certainly recommend.
Thanks,
Lauren
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From: Meem, Lang
Date: Mon, Dec 5, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Subject: Thank you for utilizing our services~ Affirmative Groove
To: Marrell Elam
Cc: Andrew Juge
Marrell,
Thank you and Affirmative Groove so much!!!
Many people in The Richmond Cotillion have told me that this was our Best Party yet!! You all were Fantastic!! Your dinner/jazz set to start off with was at the perfect volume level and were great songs to listen to while everyone ate their main course. You then moved into your upbeat dance music and kept the dance floor full all night. You had a great selection of songs and continued making our group very happy dancing “all night long” (which you played as well as Lionel Richie by the way).
I am also happy that I booked 3 horns because your third horn player not only played his horn well but was a good singer too!!
I hope that everyone in the band had fun. I think they did get some energy from us that made them enjoy the night and that made it a night to remember.
I am happy to recommend you anytime!!
Thanks again,
Lang
From: Matt Gaziano
Date: Mon, Oct 24, 2016 at 6:26 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: Elizabeth Woodward
Cc: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hey Justin,
Affirmative Groove was remarkable! Many of our guests have made a point to tell us how much they enjoyed their song selection and the overall talent of this band. W e absolutely recommend Affirmative Groove to any couple looking for a fun, interactive, and talented band.
All the best,
Matt Gaziano
From: Jessy Campbell
Date: October 11, 2016 at 1:43:32 PM EDT
To: Marrell Elam
Cc: Stephen Wiggins , "mydulcinea@aol.com"
Subject: Re: Thank you for utilizing our services
Marrell -
The band was amazing, definitely the best part of the wedding!!! You guys were so accommodating and everyone that interacted with you mentioned how easy you made things. That was so important on a day where a lot of things weren't going very smoothly, so thank you thank you! We really can't say enough good things and hope you guys enjoyed yourselves, as well!!
Jessy
5-Star review on TheKnot.com
posted 09/12/2016
"Sam Hill was so easy to work with, from start to finish. The provided us some initial suggestions of bands to look at given our music preferences and our price range. They were incredibly accommodating in helping us pick the band that was the best fit, and we ultimately went with Affirmative Groove. We could not be more thrilled with our experience with Affirmative Groove. Every single guest was up on the dance floor. I would highly recommend working with Sam Hill for your wedding - they will go out of their way to ensure you have the right band for your event."
From: Laura Buzzelli
Date: Mon, Aug 29, 2016 at 10:55 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andy @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the email. We had a great experience working with Affirmative Groove. They were better than we could have asked for! The dance floor was packed all night long, and we had a number of compliments about them from different guests. They even had our older family members dancing - and they're notorious for leaving weddings early, and they stayed well in to the night.
Nothing but great things about our time with Affirmative Groove. They were fantastic!
Thanks so much,
Laura
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From: Prelletz, Spenser
Date: Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 3:42 PM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: Mike Miglino
Hey Mike,
My business partner, Julie, raved about these guys! Great sound, awesome energy, and a batch of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Sounds like she’s 5 stars across the board!
Thanks!
Spenser
SPENSER PRELLETZ | Manager - Special Events and Entertainment
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
From: The Knot Reviews
Date: Wed, Aug 17, 2016 at 3:20 PM
Subject: reviewed you on The Knot
To: info@samhillbands.com
Sam Hill Entertainment was very easy to work with! Our band, Affirmative Groove, was out of this world amazing. I can't say enough good things about how they handled our wedding. We had a tent and stage rented for them to perform on; however, our wedding day was met with the largest storm we had had all year. The tent and stage were both unable to be used for safety reasons. Affirmative Groove was SO accommodating and moved to another location on the property. The music made the night. Can't recommend them enough!
Alexis
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From: Susan Atkins
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: juge@samhillbands.com
They were amazing! The heat was horrific but they were real troopers. Everyone loved the music and the show provided by Affermative Groove! I couldn't have asked for more. I highly recommend them to everyone.
Thank you,
Susan Atkins
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From: Harris Keefer
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
Affirmative Groove did an amazing job! From the beginning, Marrell was so accommodating and easy to work with. We had absolutely no issues and they learned two new songs so we could have unique songs for our father/daughter and mother/son dance. They were phenomenal at the reception! The majority of our wedding pictures will be from the dance floor because that's where everybody was! People are still talking about how great they were and keep asking where I found them. I couldn't have asked for a better band for my wedding. Thanks again for all of the help - I will definitely recommend both you and Affirmative Groove to anybody looking for event entertainment.
Harris
From: Sally Russell
Date: Mon, Jul 18, 2016 at 7:45 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Justin,
I am the groom's mom. The band was amazing! So much talent! The best in the background MC's I've every heard, and they made the reception awesome!
The bride's father was against having a band and my son insisted. He changed his mind about 1/3 of the way into the reception. He's a believer now! I have 2 more weddings in my future. Hope Affirmative Groove will still be together when we need them. Thanks so much!
Sally Russell
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From: Brian Cognato
Date: Mon, Jul 4, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Thanks Mike! We'll be sure to leave a review. We'll get back to you in more detail soon, but I do want to quickly say that the band was AMAZING - a highlight from everyone, and both you and Affirmative Groove were a pleasure to work with.
Brian
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From: Denise Oldfield
Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2016 at 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Mike- thanks for your note-
Everything went well- Affirmative Groove was so great- very professional and helped to create an amazing party- I would give them a positive reference any time-
Denise Oldfield
From: Courtney Spencer
Date: Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 5:23 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: Andy Jaspen
Hey Andy,l
The Affirmative Groove band presented really well, was incredibly polite, polished, looked and sounded great! We were all so impressed. Marrell is so nice, and the band did a great job playing "The Horah", too.
Thank you for following up with me. Hope all is well!
My best,
Courtney Spencer
Merriment Events
From: Shirley Jonas
Date: Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andy @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Andy,
Affirmative Groove.... Best Band ever! We all danced the night away. Everyone was raving about the band. The band makes or breaks an event. They definitely made the evening such fun for all of us. I will recommend Affirmative Groove to anyone who mentions needing a band.
Thanks again for making our wedding reception a huge success.
Shirley Jonas, Mother of bride
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From: Rezet, Beth E
Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 8:25 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Affirmative Groove was absolutely amazing! All night people kept asking "where did you ever find them?" Marrell was a joy to work with. He was flexible and responsive and a terrific singer and leader. The musicians were phenomenal. I'm so glad that we went with the horns too! And I totally appreciated the tech guy's attention to detail and sound! Sometimes a wedding band is just a wedding band; these guys were actual musicians and proud of their product! I'd hire them again in a heart beat!!! Thank you so much, Beth and Gregg
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From: Nancy Stiebel
Date: Wed, May 25, 2016 at 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
From: Cary Welsh
Date: May 23, 2016 at 5:09:01 PM EDT
To: Marrell Elam
Subject: Re: Thank You!
Thank you Marrell! You guys are AWESOME!!!! Everyone had a blast! You all are so talented and sounded exactly like the band/person you were covering! Especially Prince and MJ😄!!!😉😉 Really,every song was great and you put in a fabulous show. I'm pretty sure you could tell that everyone was having so much fun.
Like I said, if you're ever in Houston let me know! I'll bring all of my friends to dance!
Take care and many thanks to all of you!!!
Cary Welsh
University of Virginia
From: Brian Hill
Date: Tue, May 17, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Subject: Affirmative Groove
To: Sam Hill
To Whom It May Concern:
Sam Hill is a no-brainer for anyone looking for great entertainment for a wedding! Justin Paciocco was fantastic to work with and very professional. He found us an incredible band (Affirmative Groove) that fit our budget and we could not be happier! We had so much fun dancing the night away! Do yourself a favor and use Sam Hill/Justin Paciocco for your wedding and you will not be disappointed!
Brian and Susan Hill
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From: Ibbie Hedrick
Date: Wed, May 4, 2016 at 9:20 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: mike@samhillbands.com
Hi Mike-
Affirmative Groove was wonderful. We really enjoyed them. They were everything we hoped they would be and we appreciate all their efforts to make the evening a special one. They did a good job following our guidance on what songs we wanted to hear and didn't. We got a lot of compliments on them from our reception guests and would definitely book them for another event in the future.
Thank you!!
Isma Hedrick
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From: Hazelgrove, Bruce
Date: Mon, Apr 4, 2016 at 2:35 PM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment" ,
Andrew,
I told someone earlier today this may have been my best weekend yet, and I’ve had a few really good ones!
Working with Marrell Elam was more than we could have ever expected – as far as I’m concerned, Affirmative Groove performed music for the first 5 dances better than the original artist…and it only got better from there.
Sam Hill made it painless – thanks for the great support –
Best wishes,
Bruce
From: Jennings Whiteway
Date: Thu, Mar 17, 2016 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: Hapala-Ferrell Wedding with Affirmative Groove
To: Andy Jaspen; Marrell Elam
Hi guys!
Thanks for looping back to get feedback after Leigh & Brandon's wedding last Saturday- you beat me to the punch. Marrell and the band was absolutely AWESOME and was easy to work with, reviewing things with me before and night of the event and staying on top of emcee notes and timeline. The band really brought great energy to the party and everyone was raving about them. I'd love to work with Affirmative Groove again and will definitely recommend you guys!
Thank you for having a hand in making their day "perfection", as the bride quoted!
Fondly,
Jennings Whiteway
Belles and Whistles RVA event planning co.
From: Megan Jinks
Date: Tue, Mar 1, 2016 at 8:29 AM
Subject: Re: high school dance w/ Affirmative Groove
To: Andy Jaspen
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your email. Affirmative Groove was absolutely great! The kids were raving about them and I even got calls from parents to get the band's name. Our staff said that they heard lots positive comments from kids. I spoke with Marrell beforehand and he showed me playlist and was awesome. We hope to use them again next year!
Thanks again for your help with this.
Megan Jinks
Country Club of Virginia
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From: Kathleen Sinn
Date: Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 9:15 AM
Subject: Affirmative Groove Sinn/Martin wedding 11/21/15
Dear Andrew,
Just a note to follow up on the remarkable job Affirmative Groove did at our daughter's wedding 11/21/15. Affirmative Groove rates 6 stars out of 5, instead of 5. They were a breeze to work with prior to the wedding as well as on the wedding day. From the first note they played till the last, the dance floor was packed. A guest commented he hadn't danced in 15 years, but just had to get out on the floor that night. Thank you for helping make the reception a great success. If you are considering booking Affirmative Groove for an event I would highly encourage you to do so and know you won't be disappointed.
Kathy Sinn
Bride's mother
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From: Rebecca Sinn
Date: Tue, Dec 1, 2015 at 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
Everything was amazing! Affirmative Groove was so good - I cannot tell you how many compliments we've gotten on the band. I wouldn't tell them to change a thing. My experience working with them was great as well!!
Cheers,
Becca
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From: Gouge, Catherine
Date: Mon, Nov 16, 2015 at 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: Mike Miglino
Hello Mike,
Our Anniversary Fundraiser was a great success this weekend! Everyone raved about Affirmative Groove and had fun dancing the night away. Our Mayor, Vivian Jones attended the event and expressed how much she enjoyed their music!
Marrell did a great job communicating with me a few times before the event and the band was very easy to work with once they arrived.
I will definitely keep them in mind for future events and will be happy to recommend them to others.
Thank you!
Cathy Gouge
From: Ryan Allred
Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hey Justin,
My bride and I were extremely happy with our choice of band. We have been to many fun weddings and had high expectations for bands and Affirmative Groove did not disappoint. They were exactly what we wanted. Marrell was extremely professional and was a great band leader. He accommodated a couple of song requests including the Monster Mash (since it was Halloween). They did a great job with it.
Our guests were dancing from the very first song and never left the dance floor. They did a great mix of songs. Especially earlier on they threw in some slow songs and fast songs that guests of all ages enjoyed. They did a great job of picking appropriate songs from all decades. Everybody loved when part of the band came on the dance floor to perform Billie Jean. Marrell's dancing was amazing.
It was nice to have both female and male singers as well as different singers for different style of songs. They definitely exceeded our expectations with the quality of their performance. They played for 3 hours and only took a short set-break. They elevated their energy throughout the performance. It was perfect for our wedding. We had many of the guests tell us that they were the best band they had seen for a wedding.
I would have to agree with some of the reviews on the website that said that their video of the band does not do them justice. It doesn't do a great job of showing how much energy they bring. We have some videos, even though it might not be the best quality, that we could pass along to you or Marrell.
They were an amazing deal for the price and have already passed their information to a newly engaged couple that are planning to get married in Richmond next year.
Let me know if you need any other feedback.
Thanks,
Ryan Allred
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From: Caroline
Date: Sun, Nov 8, 2015 at 5:59 PM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Marrell and Mike,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you. From finding and booking the band to the actual event, everything went great.
Affirmative Groove was AMAZING!! Aaron and I so much fun dancing all night and so did our guests! Marrell was super helpful. He sent us our first dance song ahead of time so we could practice to their version. Marrell helped coordinate the evening and everything went so well. You could tell the band was having fun too! They only took two breaks and during one of the breaks they stayed in the room and listened to the toasts. I could not have asked for anything better.
Thank you for making our wedding day so special!
Thank you,
Caroline
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From: Emily McGlaughon
Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 11:41 AM
Subject: Fwd: Thank you
To: Mike Miglino
Hi Mike,
Just wanted to send you a quick word/review of Affirmative Groove:
I can't tell you how many compliments we heard throughout the night about Affirmative Groove! They were fabulous and certainly made our night that much more special. "Never my love" was perfect and I so appreciate them learning it for us. We have a dancing crowd, and they were able to keep the dance floor full all night long. All of the band members (especially Marrell) were awesome entertainers and the female vocalists were exceptional as well. The perfect event band!
Thanks again!
Emily and Martin
From: Bethany Bosley
Date: Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Justin,
We LOVED Affirmative Groove and had a wonderful experience. They are the best wedding band I've ever heard, and for such a great value for their talent I don't know how anyone could pass them up! Our guests could not stop gushing about how fantastic the music and dancing was. Marrell was an awesome emcee for our reception as well, and their entire performance was top-notch. We emailed back and forth with Marrell several times leading up to the wedding with various questions (including a few last minute changes), and he was always quick to respond and very professional and accommodating. They nailed our first dance song (which I believe they had to learn), and we had a blast the entire evening.
We are very pleased with how it went! Please pass along my appreciation and thanks to the band members, as well. Highly recommend them to others!
Best,
Bethany
From: Megan Barrera
Date: Wed, Oct 28, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Justin,
Thank you for well wishes!
We could not have been more pleased with our experience with Affirmative Groove! Everyone was such a pleasure to work with and their energy was completely infectious. We had guests who normally would never be found out on the dance floor who danced the night away. Brenden's grandmother danced so much that she visited her doctor a few days later still sore from all her time spent on the dance floor! I danced so hard, I ripped my wedding dress in multiple places! They were, without a doubt, the highlight of our wedding. We would recommend them to anyone and everyone looking for a truly unforgettable performance. They are PERFECTION!
Thanks again,
From: Susan Ziff
Date: Tue, Oct 27, 2015 at 7:51 AM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Thank you, Justin!
I absolutely loved Affirmative Groove. I cannot say enough positive things about them. Everyone was saying how fantastic they were and asked where I found them. They were the life of the party, they kept everyone on the dance floor (even the older crowd!), and their energy was amazing. We loved their dancing! Plus, they went with the flow and took a few unexpected moments like pros. For example, my carefully planned agenda pretty much went out the window because as soon as the band started playing and people were done with dinner, folks were on the dance floor. So Marrell and the band just went with it, and took their breaks later. It all worked out. And, at one point, someone took the mic and wanted to lead a tune to celebrate my parents, and asked the band to join in and back him up. Again, they caught on quickly and joined in. I had no clue that was going to happen, but they didn't complain.
I would highly recommend them to anyone, and would be happy to post on your web site to provide a written recommendation. I have another friend getting married in this area in the coming year, so I will definitely pass on Sam Hill's web site and contact info to them.
Thank you so much - and for being so easy to work with!
Susan
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From: mcglaughon
Date: Mon, Oct 5, 2015 at 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: Mike Miglino
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your email. Just wanted to let you know we could not have been more pleased with Affirmative Groove.
Emily and Martin had requested "Never my Love" for their first dance. We were blown away when they started to play it. It sounded amazing and the girl that did vocals was unbelievable. From beginning to end the band was incredible.
Thanks again for your help in securing such amazing talent for our daughters special day. From our first contact with you and your agency; until the band played their last song, we simply could not have been more pleased with the results! Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Connie McGlaughon
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From: Margaret Jennette
Date: Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
Thanks so much for your email. We absolutely loved Affirmative Groove! Not only were they accommodating and a pleasure to work with, the music was fantastic. The guests were dancing all night and the band was so much fun and talented! I have already recommended them to another bride, and will continue to pass their info on. Thank you for all of your help throughout our booking process!
Thanks!
Margaret Jennette
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Megan-Brette Hamilton
Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2015 at 11:12 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
Affirmative Groove was AWESOME! Just what we had all hoped for:) Marrell was just so kind and thoughtful throughout the entire time I was in contact with him. The guests loved them so much, they just can't stop talking about them. It was their energy, their voices, their entertainment style, everything was just on point. We made sure to go up and personally thank them afterwards. And, due to some timeline issues with the wedding, they decided to stay longer for us and I can't thank them enough for doing that. People stayed on the floor the entire time Affirmative Groove was there. So, yes, positive wonderful experience. Thank you!
~Megan-Brette
From: Kim Moody
Date: Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: Schwabenton-Mosley Wedding with "Affirmative Groove"
To: Andy Jaspen
Hey Andy -
As usual - Affirmative Groove was EXCELLENT! Marrell was fantastic about making announcements and helping with all of the emceeing aspects as well!
The family is in love with them and hopes to have them for a fundraising event at the local private school. The headmaster was in attendance at the Schwabenton's wedding and has ask me to help with the event planning for that, so once we have a contract in place I will be in touch with more details.
Kindly,
Kim
Kim Moody Design
www.kimmoodydesign.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: LuAnn McIver
Date: Sat, Sep 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Mike,
Hope you are well! We are so pleased that Affirmative Groove was Brooke's choice for her wedding! TONS of people kept asking about the band and wanted to know where we got them! The nice thing about it was that people of ALL ages enjoyed the music. Marrell is absolutely precious...you just wanna hug him! He was responsive to every question, call or email that we had. Their music and style was loved by all, and wish that I could hear them again sometime! Bottom line, Affirmative Groove was the perfect choice in every aspect for Brooke's wedding! We loved them!
Blessings,
LuAnn McIver
From: Cathi Biederman
Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Justin,
Our experience with Affirmative Groove was epic. They, by far, exceeded our expectations. Everyone who attended the wedding commented that they were "The BEST band they had ever heard."
My dealings with Marrell Elam prior to the wedding were very pleasant. He was very nice and attentive to our wishes. The other band members were also very friendly and warm.
I would rate them 5 out of 5 stars, and would absolutely recommend them to friends.
Cathi
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Cameron Elizabeth Goodman
Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2015 at 11:18 PM
Subject: Affirmative Groove
To: Mike Miglino
Hey Mike,
I just wanted to give you a shining letter of recommendation for Affirmative Groove!
I haven't stopped receiving compliments about the band. They were charming, charismatic, fun and talented. They were laid back and professional. They were just wonderful from beginning to end and everyone really loved them- especially me.
I wish I could come up with more and more reasons as to why they were so special - and my lack of words right now is disappointing because they deserve ten pages of praises here. They really are a fabulous band and I will recommend them to every big event that we have. They are just so fun, and so exciting. Everyone loved them.
: )
Thank you so much!
Cameron
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Mooring
Date: Mon, Aug 10, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Mike
Affirmative Groove was fantastic. Their music and performance was amazing. What was just as important was their attitude. So polite and accommodating. People were so impressed with all the above and for sure we will pass their information along whenever we can.
Thanks. Charles Mooring
From: Liz Forman
Date: Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 10:21 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andy @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Dear Andy:
Marrell and Affirmative Groove were the BEST!!!! I simply don't have words to say how much everyone loved them. So professional and so talented. Again, the BEST!!!!!!!
When I get back to blogging next week (The Classic Preppy), I am going to feature them.
Thank you!!!!!! Liz
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Laurie Bendall
Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 8:36 AM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hey Mike – They were awesome! They even learned our first dance (which was a Martina McBride song)!
Everything went really smooth, people were dancing until the very end (a LOT of people). They were very professional. I would highly recommend them for any wedding or similar event!
Laurie Bendall
Crimson Consulting
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sara Hutter
Date: Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 1:49 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi, Mike -
I'm finding it hard to get into words just how awesome Affirmative Groove is, but here goes!
Over the years, my husband I have caught a ton of Sam Hill bands live in action at both friends' weddings and local events. Affirmative Groove is - hands down - our favorite of the bands you represent! We were actually planning to book a different band for our June wedding, but after Affirmative Groove brought the house down at my sister's wedding last September, we quickly lined them up for a repeat performance and now can't imagine our reception without them.
Marrell couldn't be nicer, is so quick to respond to messages, and kept complete control over our reception schedule (seriously - we'd have missed the cake cutting had he not tracked me down to touch base!). The band is just so full of personality and energy and has an amazingly wide range of talent. From playing soft jazz during the cocktail hour, to learning and playing our first dance song (The Zombies), to mixing older classics with newer contemporary songs so flawlessly, Affirmative Groove gets literally everyone on the dance floor. They even got my 62 year old father out there gatoring to Shout - twice! Just incredible!
We couldn't be more appreciative of Marrell and his crew. They helped us throw one incredible and memorable party for our friends and family and made our big day even that much more special.
My one and only suggestion is to maybe see if you can work with another wedding / event to record some live demos. They just kill it live and I don't think the online demos do them proper justice.
Thanks so much!
Sara
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elizabeth Hutter
Date: Mon, Jun 8, 2015 at 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hey Mike,
I just have to say...Affirmative Groove is, hands down, the BEST wedding band I have ever experienced! This is the second time in nine months we have used them and I have nothing but the highest level of praise for them!!! Not only is Marrell an absolute delight to work with, the entire band are so accommodating and easy to work with, it makes my job as Mother of the Bride easier knowing they have my back (and my schedule)!!
I actually had some friends ask to be invited to the second wedding purely because they knew just how much fun they were going to have dancing to Affirmative Groove! This band's range of songs from straight up jazz to Motown, to beach music, to the 60's, to current songs is amazing! BUT...what makes them the absolute best is their ability to get every single person at a wedding from the youngest to the oldest out on that dance floor having the time of their lives! My husband has not danced in 34 years!! But he not only was dancing at this wedding...he was on the floor acting like a teenager!
I thank my lucky stars that my youngest daughter found this wonderful band for her wedding and I am ever so grateful that they were available for this second one!! My only suggestion for you would be to possibly do another tape of their songs for the demo. They are SO MUCH better in person than their demo tape would lead you to believe. They are willing to learn new songs (which they did for both girls!) and every singer in the band has an amazing voice!
In the future, whenever I am asked by anyone for a really good band for any event at all...the only band I will ever suggest is Affirmative Groove!! They ROCK!!!
Thanks!
Elizabeth Hutter
P.S. Now that we are through with weddings for awhile...I will also say that I personally believe that they should be charging a whole lot more than they are!! They really are better than other bands I have heard for twice the price they are charging!!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Claire Waldrop
Date: Thu, Jun 4, 2015 at 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
We have nothing but GREAT things to say about Affirmative Groove! We (and all our wedding guests) are still singing their praises! Pre-event the communication with both Sam Hill and Marrell was awesome. We had a to change our special songs (father-daughter/ first dance) a few times pretty last minute because my dad had an injury that prevented him from dancing, and the band was super flexible and made the changes flawlessly. During the event, all of our guests danced the night away and had a great time. A band can really make or break the vibe of the wedding, and in our case we felt like Affirmative Groove only took our night to the next notch. Our only suggestion is that Affirmative Groove should charge more, they are well worth the money :)
Thanks for checking in! Pleasure working with you.
From: Rebecca Brewbaker
Date: May 26, 2015 at 4:57:16 PM EDT
To: Marrell Elam
Subject: Re: May 24 Wedding 1st Dance
Marrell,
Wow! We were so delighted with your musicality, personality, and song selection. We had had an amazing band just 5 months ago at our oldest daughters wedding, so were concerned that this might not measure up- you did!! Thanks-
One thought- you were soooo much better than your video led us to believe- might think about tweaking that bad boy- God bless & thanks for making our great wedding and reception even better-
Becky Brewbaker
From: Annie Plummer
Date: Fri, May 8, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Subject: Plummer/Gill Wedding - Affirmative Groove - May 2,2015
Marrell,
Once again you and the band were wonderful at our son and daughter-in-law's wedding last weekend! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed you, I think you had almost everyone one on the dance floor - including my 88 year old father with his walker!!
You have played at two of our children's weddings and when the third one gets engaged you will be one of the first calls!
Thank you, Thank you,
Annie Plummer
From: Lee Tanenbaum
Date: Mon, Apr 27, 2015 at 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Justin,
Affirmative groove was amazing!!! The kept the dance floor going all night! They learned our first dance song perfectly! I would definitely recommend them to ANYONE AND EVERYONE looking for an awesome party band. My planners also said they were wonderful to work with. Every time I contacted Marrell, he responded very quickly, which was so nice! They really made our reception awesome! We got so many compliments!
Thank you!!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nancy White
Date: Mon, Apr 13, 2015 at 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Andrew,
Thank you for your email. The wedding reception could not have been any more wonderful! The Affirmative Groove band made the night. Many of our guests were asking who the band was and where I found them. Marrell was very accommodating on learning the song for the couples first dance and playing a few of the guest's requests. They had high energy and kept the dance floor full. It was a pleasure to work with Marrell and his band. I would highly recommend this group. Thank you!
Nancy White
From: Missy Gupton
Date: Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 2:16 PM
Subject: AGCVA Party - Thank you!!!
To: Marrell Elam; Andy jaspen
Marrell,
I can't say thank you and the band enough! Affirmative Groove was a huge hit at our AGCVA Christmas Party Thursday evening! You and the rest of the members of the band were amazing and fun, and we are all the biggest fans of Affirmative Groove. Thank you just seems so blah with everything y'all did to make sure everyone had fun and enjoyed the party but please know it was a blast and I am forever grateful!
I stepped out on a limb moving the event to a new venue, not having a sit down dinner, and bringing in a band instead of just a piano player. But, I can honestly say it was the best decision ever!
Please relay my most sincere thank you to everyone in the band and I hope to work with all of you again (soon)!
Thank you again, and Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Missy Gupton
Associated General Contractors of Virginia
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martha Kimbel
Date: Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 8:16 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Mike,
The band was FABULOUS !!! All my friends kept asking me who they were for their
family weddings in the future. We ALL danced the night away.
Thank you for a great evening!
Blessings,
Martha Kimbel
From: Beki Shaw
To: Andy Jaspen
Date: Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove band at the Fishing Bay Yacht Club event
Hi Andy,
Thanks for following up. Everything went great and the Affirmative Groove band was wonderful to work with! I know the guests really enjoyed the group.
I look forward to working with you again in the future as well.
Beki Shaw
Event Coordinator
The Commonwealth Club, Richmond VA
From: Deborah Weng
To: Andy Jaspen
Date: Wed, Nov 5, 2014 at 9:36 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
Hi Andy,
We loved Marrell and Affirmative Groove! They had the dance floor packed the entire night and Chris and I were impressed that there were that many good singers in one band. We will definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Is there an address where we can send them a card - we'd like to say thank you.
Thanks!
- Debbie
From: Heather Scott
To: "Andy @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Date: Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Subject: RE: Affirmative Groove
Andy,
Thanks for following up! I thought Affirmative Groove was awesome! They had the crowd on the dance floor from the first song until the last and everyone looked like they were having such a fun time! Marrell was really great to work with – very professional, accessible and on top of the details. I will definitely be adding Affirmative Groove to my “recommended” list.
Merrell told me they are playing for an event here at the CC on November 15th – so we will be glad to have them on our stage soon.
Thanks again for all of your help in the band selection process!!!
Heather Scott
The Commonwealth Club, Richmond VA
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dave Inman
Date: Sun, Oct 19, 2014 at 11:08 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hey Justin,
Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for the recommendation on Affirmative Groove. They were great, and you were right about Marrell--fantastic frontman.
There was a block party taking place on the opposite side of the alley from our reception; no way of knowing it was going to happen, but we ended up having competing bands. Affirmative Groove won the battle hands down, as it turned out that people left their block party to come dance in the alley outside our venue. They were awesome. It's easy for me to say now that I'm finished paying for it, but in retrospect a band of their quality could easily have commanded a higher fee. They'd have been out of our price range, but I could see someone paying twice what we did to get that kind of performance.
Thanks again for setting us up with these guys. Let me know if you're ever down in Richmond; would be good to catch up in person.
Take care,
Dave
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Molly Hutter
Date: Mon, Sep 15, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Mike,
Affirmative Groove was AMAZING!!!!! Better than we could've imagined. They looked great, sounded fantastic, and were so fun. Logistics-wise, everything flowed smoothly with the first dance, father-daughter dance, cutting the cake, the bouquet toss, etc., thanks to their friendly direction. We loved their range of songs, plus it seemed as though they read our crowd well and tailored their song choices accordingly. And little details made it even better: they played a sassy song during the garter removal/toss, Marrell did an awesome Michael Jackson impersonation, and the whole band used props we'd made for the dance floor. By the end of the night, the dance floor was filled and guests were literally chanting "One more song!"—which they obliged :)
The band was one of, if not the, highlight of the reception; we'll for sure recommend them, as well as Sam Hill, to any friends getting married in Virginia. THANK YOU for connecting us! We appreciate it very much!
All the best,
Molly
From: Karen Fletcher
Date: Wed, Jul 2, 2014 at 9:44 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andy Jaspen @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Good Morning Andy!
Just coming off the high of this past weekend to have enough where with all to write this note!
I am sure all of your parties must walk away feeling this way...but Affirmative Groove truly made us feel as though we were the “only show in town”!!
Saturday night was magical...not only did Affirmative Groove offer 1st class music and entertainment, but also Marrell’s sweet spirit and kindness resonates throughout the entire band.
Thanks so much!
Karen Fletcher (Mother of the Groom)
From: Rachel Rohrer
Date: Mon, Jun 23, 2014 at 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Justin @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Thanks for the email, Justin. We have nothing but amazing things to say about Affirmative Groove. Morrell and the rest of the band were not only incredibly talented, a ton of fun, and easy to work with, but also as humble and gracious as possible. We could not have asked for a better group of people to share this night with us. A relative who is in the music scene in New York described them as "the best wedding band he has ever experienced." He was blown away by their musical ability. Their breadth of musical genres and decades provided the perfect dancing atmosphere. Their ability to get people on the dance floor and keep them there helped with the celebratory atmosphere that accompanies this happy day! Thanks so much and we look forward to seeing Affirmative Groove in the future.
Phil and Rachel Rohrer
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peggy Fuller
Date: Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Andrew --
Affirmative Groove did a GREAT job at Jane and Michael's wedding last weekend. They were friendly, professional, and great musicians. The dance floor was full all night, and our friends of all ages were having a great time scuffing up the tiles!
Please thank the band again for us. I know of two people who are considering them now for their events, so I hope you will get more bookings. If you ever need a recommendation, please feel free to give out my name.
Thank you again for helping to make my daughter's wedding dreams come true!
Peggy Fuller
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jane Fuller
Date: Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
To: "Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment"
Hi Andrew,
Affirmative Groove was AMAZING. The band was so easy to work with and extremely responsive. I sent them a list of songs we wanted to hear about a month ahead of time, and they played every single one of them the night of the wedding. Their outfits, dancing, etc - it was all perfect. They had the entire wedding reception on the dance floor all night. We had many people tell us it was the best band they had ever heard at a wedding. We loved them. Thanks for recommending them!
Jane Fuller
Hello MIke,
Thank you for checking in, We LOVED Affirmative Groove,
Marrell was always responsive to my emails, he was accommodating, seemed excited to be a part of our special day. He got the crowd onto the dance floor all night long, made the announcements we needed him to and he actually got on the dance floor and showed every the line dance. So fun. I would recommend them anytime and the young kids commented on the band as well as the adults.
So glad we had them there.
Amy Ziegler
-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Riddell
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2014 5:29 PM
To: Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
Mike, the band was great! Our guest totally enjoyed the music, and the dance floor was crowded with every song. The lead singer, Morrel was a great entertainer with his dance moves. I guess you can tell we were very happy with the band.
This is the second time we have worked with Sam Hill Entertainment, and both were great experiences!
Thanks for all your help!
Debbie Riddell
From: Shanley
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 8:58 AM
To: Andrew @ Sam Hill Entertainment
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
Hello Andrew!
Oh my goodness!! Everyone was in love with the band!! Affirmative Groove was amazing! They kept everyone dancing and I heard nothing but guests singing their praises. They are really true entertainers!!!
As far as working with them prior to the wedding. Marrell was wonderful. Michelle, my wedding planner, did not have one bad thing to say.
Thank you for all your contact and assistance! Affirmative Groove was by far one of the best bands I have every heard play at a wedding and I'd recommend them to any bride and groom looking for a band that will keep their guests dancing the night away!
Very Respectfully,
Shanley
Ensign, MC, United States Navy Reserve
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Mondelli
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2014 9:50 AM
To: Mike @ Sam Hill Entertainment
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
Hi Mike,
First let me just say this brief note will be replaced with a full letter of praise for the outstanding performance of Affirmative Groove on every level. I will also be very happy to accept any and all calls from potential customers for this band. Having owned and managed a facility that handled 3 to 4 weddings per weekend for over 20 years, experiencing hundreds of bands including the weddings of Nina's older sisters, Affirmative Groove is hands down the best dance band I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying.
Joe Mondelli
From: herman daniel
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2014 4:35 PM
To: Andy Jaspen @ Sam Hill Entertainment
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove
Andy,
Marrell and the gang from Affirmative Groove rocked the socks off everyone! All the guests said the band made the party and wife and I both agree!! We have 2 more daughters and 1 son to marry off. We are looking forward to hiring Affirmative Groove again.
- Dan and Barbara Daniel
From: Katie Rosenberg
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2014 10:22 AM
To: Andy Jaspen @ Sam Hill Entertainment
Subject: Re: Affirmative Groove on NYE
Andy,
Affirmative Groove was amazing on new years eve! Thank You for all Your help!
Katie Rosenberg, event manager
CrossKeys Vineyards
From: Kyle Hetherington [
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 3:50 PM
To: Justin@samhillbands.com
Subject: Re: 10/5
Hey Justin,
Affirmative Groove was absolutely amazing! Thanks for hooking that up.
Thanks and I look forward to working with you and the band again in the future.
Kyle P. Hetherington
Washington and Lee University '14
August 21, 2013
This is a letter of recommendation for the group Affirmative Groove:
I booked the Affirmative Grooves for a Birthday Party and they were a hit. They left us tired and exhausted from dancing all night long.
I have been following this group for about one year and its been such an experience.The atmosphere is so classy and filled with good people. I've drove two hours to come and enjoy the great sounds of Affirmative Groove. The group leader Marell is a great performer who knows how to move the crowd, While traveling in the Richmond metro area; I make it my business to seek the date,time and place of their events. If you never heard this group make sure you go see them live . You will have the time of your life!
Ms. Katrice Allen
Affirmative Groove is a tremendous band of talented musicians who willingly share their gifts and talents with young children with an interest in the performing arts. The band performed during a performing arts camp and readily drew the students in with vocal instruction, introductions to the instruments, and performance tips. The band is high energy and provided a variety of musical styles and selections. I would highly recommend Affirmative Groove for any party or special event. They are extremely talented and entertaining and would bring fun, excitement and good times to any event.
Stephanie Coleman
Hanover Academy
Performing Arts Camp Coordinator
August 20, 2013
We have used Affirmative Groove for numerous events in the past. We can attest that they are professional and are precise in providing the best musical entertainment for our clients.
We are event planners specializing in weddings and corporate events. We provide the best of the best vendors, entertainers, caterers to make our client’s event a true success. Working with Marrell Elam has been a great partnership for us to have. He’s extremely entertaining, very charismatic and engaging. All our clients have nothing but praises for his musical talent and the professionalism of his band, which has been noted on multiple occasions.
Cheers,
Karla Walter
President, Sensibly Chic Events
