The Lovejoy Group -- Jazz, Latin rhythms and blues
featuring vocalist Karen Lovejoy
Sammy Munguia ~ piano
Ian Dylan ~ drums
Emory Diggs ~ bass
Karen Lovejoy migrated from the Midwest where she began singing contemporary ballads, rhythm & blues and top 40. However, when she discovered jazz, she found a home. The freedom to reinterpret music at a whim, turning a tune inside out, and choosing generous lyrics, appealed to her expansive spirit.
To the delight of many, Lovejoy settled on the east coast where she has honed her skills. In performance the Lovejoy name rings true. Her warm stage presence and harmonious tone resonates a kind of joy that leaves the music always hopeful. Karen knows that the blues is an integral part of jazz and will frequently add a twist of down home blues to her repertoire. Lovejoy has produced a number of original tunes including the title cut for the groups latest CD, Spellbound.Samuel Munguia studied piano and classical guitar in El Salvador. In 1989, he relocated to the Washington DC area where he studied jazz piano and jazz arranging at UDC with the late Calvin Jones. Over the last 25 years he's been performing with many Latin, Brazilian, and Jazz groups in the metropolitan area including Grammy Award-winning artists such as Mya, Nestor Torres, and percussionist Alex Acuna.
Drummer, Ian Dylan studied for numerous years with several drummers including Lenny Robinson, Chuck Redd and Alan Dale. His varied skillset have enabled him to work with groups lead by musicians such as Peter Edelman, Butch Warren, and Michael Nicholas.Heralded for his musicianship by renowned musical legends such as, Antonio Parker, Cora Coleman, and Steve Novosel, his fans range from everyday working-class professionals to heads-of-state. Ian's formula is simple: "My strength is learning from the successes and mistakes of past masters, rather than inventing a completely new way of playing."
Self-taught musician, Emory Diggs began playing bass guitar by jamming with other servicemen in German nightclubs. He has worked with several Top 40, jazz, r&b and contemporary gospel bands. Playing with The Universal Messengers of Music (TUMOM), he recorded "Jazz is a National Treasure." Proficient on either acoustic or electric bass, Diggs has opened for and shared the stage with greats like McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Smith, Ahmad Jamal, Dizzy Gillespie, Jean Carn, Rachelle Ferrell, and George Duke.