Midtown Groove

Midtown Groove is a Seattle-based, instrumental, contemporary jazz trio, which features: Tony Atkinson, Roy Feketitsch & Doug Marrapodi. The trio, relying upon their influences from several genres, finds a way to effectively blend different elements of Jazz and R & B. One of the more interesting facets of the group is that Tony Atkinson amazingly plays both guitar and keyboards simultaneously; heplays guitar with his left hand and keyboards with his right. Using this approachto deepen the trio's sound, they have successfully and artistically fused
infectious rhythms, lush harmonies, and soaring
melodies, to form what is known as Midtown Groove.

Tony Atkinson—Guitar/Keyboards

Originally from Connecticut, Tony began playing guitar at the age of nine. He was inspired by his brother and cousin who started him off playing the blues. Tony cites Rick Derringer, Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder as his major influences. His love of music eventually took him to L.A. where he recorded and shared the stage with a variety of world-class players...Jeff ”Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan), Timmy Capello (Tina Turner) and Rahmlee Michael Davis (Earth, Wind and Fire) to name a few. Three of his songs can be heard in the Whoopee Goldberg movie “Kiss Shot”, and as a member of the production team “Riot Control” he wrote and performed songs that were placed in Stargate SG-1, the Soprano’s and several Lions Gate Films movie trailers.

Roy Feketitsch—Bass

Hailing from his home town of Chicago, Roy now makes his home in the Seattle area. He has been playing electric bass guitar for nearly 25 years. His influences range from the 60’s to present day with a deep passion for Motown and Contemporary Jazz. A veteran of the Chicago music scene, Roy has played with a wide range of artists which span a variety of musical genres. While the past projects have been fun, he is most excited about the recent formation of Midtown Groove. Roy says, “I’m really excited to be working with Tony and Doug. They are some of the finest musicians I have worked with in Seattle. I enjoy pushing myself and finding ways to explore different areas of the groove,harmony and melody. At times I find the compositions challenging, but very rewarding. I’m really looking forward to the
future with these guys!”

Doug Marrapodi—Drums

Seattle native Doug Marrapodi has played everything from subtle percussion for Shakespearean theater productions to
Europe’s biggest open air festivals. A versatile and dynamic
drummer of over three decades, there’s hardly a style he hasn’t welcomed. He studied at the Drummer’s Collective in NYC and with Dom Famularo. Doug has performed in the U.S. and Europe with musicians including Joshua Roman, Farko Dosumov, John Osebold, Rottweiller and Ronny Munroe, The Clumsy Lovers, The Diablotones,
Going South/Happy Hour Hero, and Beaver Chief. As well as
several theater companies to name a few.
Doug's influences include: Sting, Steely Dan, Stewart Copeland, Trilok Gurtu, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, and JoJo Mayer.