JUPITER GROOVE

IMPROGROOVINSTRUMETAL

A Statement from Juan

I have come to the decision that my time with Jupiter Groove has come to an end. For the past 15 odd years, we have created some great musical moments both live and in the studio. We have played with amazing local acts and renowned international acts. We have toured the seas and shared the stage with such top shelf acts like Animals As Leaders, King’s X, Devin Townsend, Scale The Summitt, Tony McAlpine, Thank You Scientist, Haken, Anathema, Felix Martin, Pain Of Salvation, Travis Larson Band, Magic Elf, Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic, and many more. The reasons for my departure are personal. I would like to thank, and that with the most generous of hearts, our fans. Those who have been die hard followers from the beginning. The local bands whom we played with..those that immediately come to mind are Decoy Beat whom we shared the stage with many a time and so long ago. Auditory Armory..for whom my gratitude can not be expressed to in its fullest context. You guys have been waving our banner for a long time. April and Justice, you two are precious to me. To our West Coast compatriots in the Travis Larson Band. I enjoyed sharing the stage with you all every time you came to the East Coast. Your tremendous talent was a hard act to follow or precede! Thank you for having us. The Dave LaRue Band..we blew up many a venue! No more notes were ever played than on a night our bands hit the stage! To the local promoters who booked us at all high risk! Ben Gardner, Clint Pinder and Camden Cruz, you always took a chance with us and I appreciate it! It is hard being an instrumental band. Harder being a rock band doing so. I would venture to say that jazz bands have had a better gigging legacy in the Central Florida area than us or any band like us. To Jeff Knauff who recorded us at The Parsonage in Gibsonton and to Sean Shannon for mixing our album. To Jess O’ Donnel, merch monger mercenary!!! Your smile and enthusiasm made me feel like a rock star! To Prog Palace Radio and WJRR for playing our stuff. To Shaver. Our biggest fan without a question. You waved the flag higher and wilder than anyone else. Thank you for the bass..you should see what I did with it! Rest my friend. To the venues who would have us… The Haven/Conduit Shovelhead Lounge Will’s Pub The Abby The Plaza (Shut Up and Play 2013) The Bank of Blues West End Rabbit Ear Records Demand City Limits Stranded Sailer Pub Jacksonville Original Music Festival Delandapalooza Daytona Beach Main Street Music Festival Tanquerays Rock Bar Holly and Dolly’s The Orpheum (Ybor City) Progressive Nation at Sea 2014 (Thank u Mike Portnoy!!!) There are too many to remember… Of course, to my bandmates Ralph and Dan. I hope that you both will continue your musical journeys and remain artistically active. Our original drummer, Marty. And last, but certainly not least in any way, shape, or form imaginable, my best friend and wife Chris. You have been my biggest fan, my manager, and my shelter when it rains the hardest. You have been on every musical adventure that I dare to embark on and have always guided me in my decisions but never impeded them in any way. Thank you for being part of this chapter in my, our, musical journey. I love you and rarely deserve you. It was a great and wild ride.

Juan

``Music is not a young man’s game, it is the impassioned man's sport. ``

Bio

Band history and other tidbits

Hailing from the land of mice, hurricanes, gators, roller coasters and space ships, this collective mind of musicians flirt with sonic explorations of prog, fusion, world, jazz, jam, and blues, bringing together their talents and diverse backgrounds to create bold and exciting instrumental based music.

“Improgroovinstrumetal”, if you will.

Formed in 2008, the power trio would undergo a few personnel changes before settling on the current lineup consisting of founding member Dan “Rod Z” Rodriguez on guitars, Ralph Gray on drums and percussion, and Juan R Leõn on bass, NS/Stick® and occasional Chapman Stick®. No leather, no makeup, no screaming vocals, not even a tease of rock and roll bravado. No, these guys are not about all that. The music is where you’ll get to know them. At times heavy and hard hitting, other times funky and eclectic..and still at other times infused with world and progressive sensibilities, Jupiter Groove is a kaleidoscope focused squarely on a musical landscape.

A    R    E   A 5 1

 New mixes coming soon!!!

Juan has been re-mixing some of our previously released music, with Dan sitting in as co-mixer and producer, in an effort to bring to you a better sonic representation of our live sound. To that end, we will be re-releasing the newly mixed and mastered tunes as well as previously un-released material.

Speaking of remixes….

David Vignola has remixed our tune “Fall To Freedom” over on his Youtube channel “Mixing Music Analog” as part of his In The Mix series. He has also featured our music to demo some cool studio gear! Check it out the videos below as well as his other channel “Home Recording Made Easy”.

Jupiter Groove proudly uses and endorses:

Dan uses InTune Guitar Picks. Juan uses custom gauged S.I.T. Rock Brights on all his basses

Hand Crafted Instrument Strings Visit

Show Calendar

Upcoming shows, appearances, and other events in chronologiacl order. Scroll down for latest dates.

2023

April 21
Conduit (Formerly The Haven )
Winter Park, FL
With Traverser, DVLSNV, Leaving HavenBuy Tickets

2022

January 29
The Haven
Winter Park, FL
With Petey & The Ravens, Dale StephensBuy Tickets
February 04
Shovelhead
Longwood, FL
W/ LaRue Alexander-L.A.X.More Info
February 18
SORRY FOLKS, THIS SHOW IS CANCELLED -------->
Due to people not keeping their word
BTW..if you can go sleep at home after the gig, it's not a "Tour"More Info
March 20
Shovelhead
Longwood, FL
W/ The Stone Eye, The Electric Profit$10 adv - $13 Door 18+
April 9
Shovelhead
Longwood, FL
W/ TBA
April 16
Urban Shaman Music Fest @ Isle of Valhalla
3006 Tinker Point, Chuluota, FL
W/ Angela & Pixi, Goos, April Acoustic, Fram Drums Trio, Ms. Meka NismBuy Tickets
May 13
The Haven
Winter Park, FL
W/ Auditory Armory and TBA
Sept 24
The Haven
Winter Park, FL
W/ Sugarless and TBA

2021

August 28
The Haven Lounge
Winter Park, FL
With Petey & The Ravens, Dale Stephens, & DeadlineBuy Tickets
Sept 25
3rd Annual Ormond Beach Live Original Music & Art Festival
Ormond Beach, FL
7:15 PM, Halifax River Main Stage (Stage 9)/ Rockefeller Gardens / The Casements / Fortunato Park Buy Tickets

2020

GET VACCINATED

2019

August 11
The Haven Lounge
Winter Park, FL
With Travis Larson & AudiohiveBuy Tickets
August 12
Shanghai Nobby's
St Augustine, FL
With Travis Larson Band, AudiohiveBuy Tickets
August 13
1904 Music Hall
Jacksonville, FL
With Travis Larson Band, Dave LaRue Band, AudiohiveBuy Tickets
Aug 24
The Henao Contemporary Art Center
Orlando, FL
W/ NundayoBuy Tickets
Aug 25
The Verona
New Port Richey, FL
Florida Prog FestBuy Tickets
Sept 15
Deland City Limits Taproom
Deland, FL
With Dave Larue BandBuy Tickets
Nov 16
The Haven Lounge
Winter Park, FL
That Prog Metal Show W/ Auditory Armory, A Fine Line, Screaming At The Silence, OtherworldBuy Tickets
Nov 24
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
Maniacal Mojo's Super Colossal Bday ShowBuy Tickets
Dec 8
The Whirly Dome
Orlando, FL
Private EventBuy Tickets
Dec 14
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
W/ David Ellefson BasstoryBuy Tickets
Feb 23 FREE SHOW
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
w/ Parallel Motion, The D.O.O.D., Duke Moon and The PhaseBuy Tickets
Mar 14
The Crowbar
Ybor City, FL
w/ Boheems & Acho BrotherBuy Tickets
Mar 16
The Haven Lounge
Winter Park, FL
w/ Darkness by Design,Detoura, Somnent, Sigma 11Buy Tickets
Apr 19
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
Maniacal Mojo Presents: ELEVEN! A Guitar ShowcaseBuy Tickets
May 17
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
w/ Dave LaRueBuy Tickets
May 24
Haven Lounge
Winter Park, FL
w/ Felix Martin, Sarah LongfieldBuy Tickets
NEW DATE: June 8
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
w/ Tony McAlpine, Monte Pittman, and TBABuy Tickets
July 13
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
w/ YYNOTBuy Tickets
Aug 1
Will's Pub
Orlando, FL
w/ CHEW and DearestBuy Tickets
Aug 22
The Haven
Winter Park, FL
w/ Auditory Armory, A Pale Horse Named DeathBuy Tickets
Sept 21
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
w/ Virgel DonattiBuy Tickets
Oct 26
The Abbey
Orlando, FL
w/A Fine Line,The DEV,Auditory Armory,Silent EchoesBuy Tickets
Nov 9
West End Trading Co
Sandford, FL
Nov 16
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
Holiday Toy Drive (Part 2) w/ Dirrty Hairy, Rednek Messiah, Shadowed Truths, Dapper for Devereaux, Severed SunBuy Tickets
Dec 18
Universal Studios
Orlando, FL
Private EventBuy Tickets

2018

Jan 30
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
W/ Michael Angelo BatioBuy Tickets
Feb 8
Orlando Brewing
Longwood, FL
W/ SugarlessBuy Tickets
Feb 21
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
W/Tony MacAlpineBuy Tickets
March 7
Sanford Music Festival
Sanford, FL
April 25
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
W/ Mark Rizzo of SoulflyBuy Tickets
May 5
Shovelhead Lounge
Longwood, FL
W/ Dave LaRueBuy Tickets
More Shows Coming Soon
TBA
TBA

Music/Merch

Albums, hats, shirts, stickers

Follow The Alien!
Visit The Offical Jupiter Groove Merch Store

The New Album “Gears Of Progression” Out Now

The long awaited new album from Jupiter Groove is finally here!
Recorded during the fall of 2016, "Gears Of Progression" features 10 tracks of Jupiter Groove's signature sound.

What people are saying...

CD Baby Reviews

Best band you've not heard....Yet!
So ...i have to say..... these guys blew my mind...from the first track to the last and everything in between. From the obvious Rush influences to the 80's metal chug....this album has it all.. The musicianship is top notch. BUY THIS ALBUM! I promise you will not regret it... You also won't be able to keep it from being a fixture in you car ! Great sounding progressive metal in your ears!

Your New Favorite Album
Buy and Listen to a band with taste and flair that will quickly become your favorite Progressive Metal/Rock album.... This album has it all.... From the obvious Rush Influences and.a taste of 80's metal that will quench your ear bud pallet....

i-Tunes Reviews

If You Like Instrumental Rock, Get In Here!
Some of us have been waiting for this-- I'm happy to report it's worth it! Fantastic players writing actual songs. Leaving room for notes to breathe but knowing when to scorch the place for good measure is a sure sign you're dealing with pros... Ladies and gentlemen, feast your ears on Orlando's own Jupiter Groove-- long may you rock!!!

New Prog Releases Review

Hailing from Central Florida, the "improgroovinstrumetal" trio, Jupiter Groove, can be described as heavy and hard, funky and eclectic..and still at other times infused with world,fusion,space and prog-rock sensibilities.The 10 all instrumental compositions are imbued with a melodic, vocal quality and harmonic structure that is straightforward yet deceivingly complex. Punctuated with guitarist Dan Rodriguez's soaring, high-wire antic infused solos, Ralph Gray's gumbo of fusion, jazz, prog, metronomic precision drumming and Juan R Leon's rapid fire bass runs dripping with reckless abandon, the music is as diverse as the guys themselves.

Blog/Contact

Get all your Jupiter Groove News at our blog. It’s all the extra stuff like pics, gig flyers, and of course news. No matter how dire or frivolous.

Please contact us via our Facebook page. We’ll get back to you ASAP.

Site issues? Follow the link below to contact the webmaster.