The Groove Essentials is a project developed by Evan Fiehrer in 2025 after he received an Artist Opportunity Grant from Culture Works Dayton. The goal of the project was to create an album that celebrates the tradition of funk music in Dayton, Ohio, while also looking toward the future. The project became a band that produced the album A Little Light, which was released on October 24, 2025. The band’s members include Evan Fiehrer on guitar, Hayden Floro on drums, Tory James on vocals, James Roberts on keyboard, and Jelani Stokes on bass. The album release party was performed at The Tank at the Dayton Arcade, to rave reviews. In 2026, The Groove Essentials competed in the Dayton Battle of the Bands at The Brightside.
Buy Our Album!
https://thegrooveessentials.bandcamp.com/album/a-little-light
Tiny Desk Contest
Evan Fiehrer, Guitarist 