Exploding onto the Colorado music scene in 2007, The Grip is an organ trio fusing funk, jazz, neo-soul, and blues into one original mix of tunes. Infectious grooves, talented players, and a blend of classic and modern sounds comprise the sound of The Grip. Their music is always groovy and full of funk to dance to, but also keeps a close tie to jazz and blues intellectual roots.

The Grip is made up of two accomplished Fort Collins musicians and one sensational newcomer. Charlie Humphreys (guitar) formerly played with local blues rock favorites Holy Moses and the High Rollers and recorded an album to high acclaim. Stu Crair (drums) toured nationally with the highly respected progressive rock band Orooni, and also formed the Hugh: Jazz Combo which continues to play in a weekly jazz residency. Newcomer Walter Hannah (organ, keys) came to the band via Portland where he recorded with The Parallel Trio and pushes the sound of The Grip by playing with his unique style and phrasing.

The members of the Grip have played over 500 shows collectively, including major music festivals like Wakarusa and 10,000 Lakes Festival, and have toured from coast to coast. Their musical influences range from Mike Stern to Soulive; from the Grateful Dead to Frank Zappa.

After forming in late 2007, The Grip has already been named as the January ’08 house band for Hodi’s Half Note in Fort Collins with more offers continually being received. Their infectious music will soon be heard all across the Northern Colorado Front Range and beyond with no end in sight for how far the epidemic might spread.