Five Souls. One Groove
A powerhouse five-piece blending soulful blues, deep jazz roots, and irresistible groove.
About Tongue & Groove
Our Origin Story
We formed Tongue & Groove in 2025 with the goal of making great live music (just us) but using the idea that everything has to have a groove. Using some complex, deep cut covers coupled with some of the best danceable pop rock will make the party start. With rich sax, tight rhythm, and improvisation at its core, the band delivers a sound that moves effortlessly from smoky late-night blues to high-energy jazz jams. Expect bold solos, infectious rhythms, and a groove that keeps the crowd moving.
Our Name ?
Comes straight from a nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia on Main Street in the Buckhead District.
Tongue & Groove Amazing place.
MEET THE BAND
Karyn Vickery - Vocals
Karyn is a versatile vocalist with a lifelong passion for live performance. She studied performing arts, and began gigging at just 14 years old, later joining an originals band in Kent. She moved to Devon to hone her craft as part of a resident band, gaining invaluable experience performing nightly.
Over the years, Karyn has had a varied career, entertaining audiences on military bases, performing in touring bands, and holding residencies at 5 star hotels in Muscat and La Manga club, Spain. Work has included festivals, theatres, corporate, and the opportunity to perform at venues like the BIC Bournemouth with 6k capacity. A long standing member of a European function band, she’s also contributes to dep work and studio sessions, bringing professionalism and energy to every project. She also had the opportunity to make a guest appearance with Bernard Fowler (vocalist with The Rolling Stones) and his band in Naples, an unforgettable experience.
Alongside performing, Karyn works as a performance coach, sharing her experience and helping students build confidence, develop their skills, and find their own voice on stage. Karyn is now looking forward to performing a little closer to home, and always ready to try something new and see where it leads.
ARTIST INFLUENCES - led by powerhouse female vocalists such as Aretha Franklin and Alanis Morissette, and inspired by contemporary artists like RAYE.
Ken Veitch - Guitar & Vocals
Ken - has played guitar since 8. He played in his first band in Aberdeen whilst studying. His musical influence comes straight out the Jazz Funk Soul Disco movement of the late 70s. He has been in many bands over the years and also plays Bass and some keyboards. He has begun writing songs for his own album using members of Tongue & Groove and other musicians. He works in the City and lives in the countryside. He has played in many festival bands over the years.
ARTIST INFLUENCES - STEELY DAN, THE CRUSADERS, BERNARD EDWARDS & ROY AYERS
Nick Lipton - Sax & Keys
Nick is a versatile multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began early, learning the clarinet and saxophone at school before expanding his repertoire to keyboards, guitar, and flute. Over time, he developed a deep passion for the classic sub-tone saxophone style. Inspired by legends like Ben Webster, Lester Young, Stan Getz, and Paul Desmond, Nick mastered this warm, breathy, and expressive sound, making it his definitive trademark. For over 30 years, Nick has performed extensively in duos and trios, drawing from a vast repertoire of jazz, blues, and popular classics. His solo career includes residencies at several premier 5-star hotels in London and the South East, as well as solo performances for celebrity events and the UK-hosted G7 Summit.
Beyond the stage, Nick channels his creativity into photography, vintage restoration, and writing—pursuits that reflect the same dedication to craftsmanship found in his music.
ARTISTS INFLUENCES: Ben Webster, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond and Dick Parry
Mark Ozmen - Drums
Oz is our drum wizard. He first picked up a pair of sticks (his mum’s knitting needles) at an age too young to remember, and attempted to emulate his hero Neil Peart of Rush by arranging the sofa cushions around him and bashing the living daylights out of them. His mum was spitting feathers (as were the cushions!) He then mastered the snare drum rudiments as a side drummer in the army cadets marching band. When offered the choice of a bugle or a drum it was a no brainer… Skip forward a few decades and our metronomic master has played in lots of bands of different genres and is also a session drummer at a local studio. His drumming mantra is ‘sometimes less is more’
ARTIST INFLUENCES – Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Phil Collins, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Mike Portnoy, Bobby Jarzombek, Terry Bozzio, Ginger Baker, Steve Gadd & a host of others
Mike Adams - Bass
Mike – is the band’s bassist. A multi-instrumentalist who started on trumpet, he also plays guitar, piano and ukulele, and dabbles in drums and banjo, performing across styles from rock and jazz to classical.
Outside the band he plays guitar in a 20-piece big band, has done session work, and has performed with many bands over the years. He has written music performed by orchestra, collaborated with vocalists on song writing, and spent many years working as a stock music composer. He previously ran his own guitar teaching studio in Devon.
ARTIST INFLUENCES – Too many to mention, spanning a broad mix of styles from rock, pop and jazz through to orchestral and classical music, reflecting a lifelong interest in many musical styles
our gear
Mackie SRM & SRS Active, Fender, Washburn, Gibson, Yamaha, Zildjan K, Shure, Bose, Howarth, Selmer, Arturia, Allen & Heath, AKG, Korg, Apple
Tongue & Groove's MUSIC STYLES
Music
Our Music is based on our own Originals coupled with some soulful bangers from Rose Royce, Sade, Gregory Porter, Amy Winhouse, Paloma Faith & Raye moving into a shade of country groove with Stapleton, Wallen, JJ Cale to really danceable huge tunes from Dusty Springfield, Aztec Camera, Fleetwood Mac, Queen & Tina Turner
Merchandise
Get your hands on some sweet Tongue & Groove merchandise! From t-shirts and hoodies to posters and stickers, we've got everything you need to show your love for our band. Contact us for Merch.
Press
See what the critics are saying about Tongue & Groove. Press about to come
Our Friends
Our friends are various venues and people who have helped the band make this a REALITY
- FFF Tap Room
- Horse & Groom, Alresford