Known for his fiery, emotive drumming from the last decade of touring and recording with Sonny Rollins, Bobby Broom and Kurt Elling, Kobie Watkins was at the same time visualizing musical concepts for his own compositions and group. First explored on his 2009 solo debut, 'Involved,' Watkins' new formation was created from the inside out, born and cultivated from his travels and experiences and realized through his several year performing relationship with pianist Justin Nielsen and his creatively connected band mates. Though born and raised in Chicago and now based in North Carolina, the Grouptet was formed by happenstance in Idaho near the entrance to Yellowstone, where they were each brought in to teach. The remoteness allowed them to freely explore their own collective voice resulting in this collection of nine inspired originals, along with a slinky new arrangement of 'Manteca.'
