Asia & Nu Gruv
Asia & Nu Gruv are a high energy, Halifax based music ensemble fronted by lead singer Asia, a dynamic vocalist with a soulful passionate style that will have the audience dancing in the aisles. Performing original material and 60’s R&B, Soul, Classic Motown, and Funky Blues combined with Melodic Rock vocals, hard hitting lyrics and unusually intricate harmonies, Asia & Nu Gruv are drawing huge audiences to every show and attracting great reviews from media.
FULL BIO Recognized as one of the best dance party bands in Atlantic Canada, Asia & Nu Gruv is ready and willing, able to bring both their spirited stage presence and dynamic musicianship to all venues. Whether performing for wedding reception, or electrifying the thousands plus crowds at outside festival events such as the TD Jazz Festival and the Alexander Keith’s Natal Day Festival, this band never fails to deliver. Asia & Nu Gruv have been together since 2003, bringing high energy to the concept of Live Entertainment. Nu Gruv is blessed with a very talented front woman and lyricist, Asia. Her musical gift was present at an early age when she started spitting lyrics, this gift and talent would lead Asia to perform as vocalist for a number of local bands and church choirs. The musicians collectively bring decades of experience and professionalism. Asia & Nu Gruv are the proud recipients of the African Nova Scotia Music Associations’ award for “Best Live Performance”, and best R&B Artist/Group of the Year” award. Soulful, saavy and sophisticated, this trademark is – it’s always hot, always energetic horn section. These musicians have an energy all of their own. Now booking, Asia & Nu Gruv is in high demand. If you wanna have fun and you wanna dance, you wanna have Asia & Nu Gruv.
PERSONNEL Nathan Symonds - Band leader/Bass Vanessa Smith “Asia” – Lead Vocals Carl Thomas – Drums/Vocals Merle Symonds – Lead Guitar Joey Lucas – Rhythmic Guitar Paul Harris – Keys Rob Crowell – Sax Jody Lyne – Trumpet Jeff Mosher – Sax Eric Landry - Trombone
CONNECTIONS Musical influences include Mary j. Blige Alicia Keys Aretha Franklin James Brown Earth Wind And Fire Patti Labelle many more. Asia & Nu Gruv recently appeared in the short film “Believe It” which was featured at the Atlantic Film Festival 2009.
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
