Gary Gonzalez began his drumming journey at the age of eight, studying at the renowned Chet Doboe Drum School, where he developed versatility across rock, funk, jazz, and Latin styles. With a strong rudimental foundation rooted in drum corps, he became an original member of the acclaimed percussion ensemble The Hip Pickles, performing under endorsements from Pearl, Paiste, LP, Remo, and ProMark.

His performance career has taken him to world-class stages including Madison Square Garden, The Modern Drummer Festival, Nassau Coliseum, and Disneyland, as well as international tours across the United States, the Netherlands, and Austria. He has also made television appearances on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The Charles Perez Show, and even featured in a national Twix commercial.

In addition to his percussion ensemble work, Gary has held the drum chair for several renowned tribute acts, including Invisible Sun (The Police), Songs In The Attic (Billy Joel), Joplin’s Pearl (Janis Joplin), Fire & Ice (Pat Benatar), The Pat Benatar Experience, and Material Girl (Madonna). He also performed in the original band SamePaige alongside Jeff Reid and Richard Louis Pierre, further showcasing his range as both a live and recording drummer.

More recently, Gary’s musical path brought him into Small Town Gig, where he and Anne Mary Chiuchiolo developed a strong musical partnership. Their collaboration inspired the creation of Stix & Soul, a project dedicated to doing more of what they love most, making music together and sharing it with audiences.

Alongside performing, Gary has shared his passion for music through private instruction and looks forward to returning to teaching in the future.
 

Anne Mary Chiuchiolo
Long Island-based singer, songwriter, performer & creative artist

Born and raised in Patchogue, NY, Anne Mary grew up in a deeply musical family. Singing and playing piano by ear with her older sister Janice Irolla and brother Dominick Chiuchiolo, harmony became their signature, and she credits them as her earliest mentors. She wrote her first song at 15 on the piano and has never stopped writing. Besides performing, her greatest passion has always been songwriting, capturing life’s moments and turning them into music.

Her first major concert performance was in the late 1980s at the newly opened Bald Hill Amphitheater with her band Burning Rose. She went on to form Drama Mama, then spent her 20s as a young Mother writing children’s songs, many of which are still sung today at The Sunshine Center in Selden, NY.

As her music evolved, Anne Mary formed the original band Silva with her musical family which took pride in its original songs and built a strong local following. Their CD release show at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, NY, was a sold-out success, a night that showcased the band’s originals and creative chemistry to a packed audience. She went on to co-write a Contemporary Christian album  "Pure Love" with her family and later joined tribute acts honoring Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac, performing across Long Island and throughout the tri-state area.

Later, she formed the popular Long Island acoustic band Small Town Gig with her sister Janice Irolla and a childhood friend, John Mistretta and after meeting her soulmate Gary Gonzalez co-created Stix & Soul and The NuGroove Project, continuing her mission to bring audiences powerful, versatile performances. In addition to her vocals, Anne Mary plays percussion, and you’ll often see her flaring her tambourine with energy and joy whenever she gets the chance.

Alongside her bands, Anne Mary has published numerous original songs, each one a piece of her life’s soundtrack. This October, she releases her newest single,  "Pennies, with more original music to follow.

In 2025, she is also launching Starstruck Fashions, a thrift and performance-wear line that helps artists and performers and anyone looking to be original find unique, affordable, and expressive clothing for the stage, events or everyday vibes!

Right now and always, Anne Mary’s greatest stage is being a Mother to her four amazing children, Michael, Dominick, Taylor and Lilyanna! But alongside that, she pours her heart into three bands and behind the scenes, her original music "Still I Rise" album her thrift line Starstruck Fashions, and The NuGroove Project are all making their way into the world.

Jeff Reid a native of Bay Shore, Long Island. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an alumnus of the Circle in the Square Theatre School in Manhattan. His performance background includes eight years in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon, where he understudied the role of John for two years. His regional credits include the roles of Purlie in Purlie Victorious, Andre in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Papa Du in One Mo’ Time, and Marty in several productions of Dreamgirls.

Jeff has also performed in several local bands, most notably SamePaige, a funk-rock unit he co-founded that featured not only strong covers but original music as well. Known for his strong vocals, dynamic energy, and soulful grit on stage, Jeff brings passion and presence to every performance.

He is proud to share the stage with his NuGroove family, particularly his cohort in vocal crime, Ms. Anne Mary Chiuchiolo. He enjoys the energy they create together, blending tight harmonies, duets, and backup vocals with genuine chemistry and connection. Their bond and playful spirit are at the heart of every NuGroove Project show.

Jeff also plays a big role behind the scenes, having a natural gift for hearing a song within a song and helping craft many of the band’s creative medleys and arrangements. On stage, his theatrical background shines through he’s interactive, engaging, and always keeps the audience on their toes. You never know what he’s going to pull out of his pocket, but it always gets people laughing and involved. Whether the crowd is dancing or just watching, Jeff finds a way to draw everyone in and make the moment come alive.

What Jeff loves most about being part of The NuGroove Project, beyond performing with his vocalist-in-crime, is the true sense of camaraderie and fun within the group. That family feeling makes every show a complete and absolute joy, taking each performance to another level.

In addition to performing, Jeff teaches acting and musical theatre at The Performance Lab in West Babylon for both children and adults, where he has over ten years of teaching experience.

Jeff looks forward to many more performances to come with The NuGroove Project, continuing to share the music, the laughter, and the magic that this band brings to every stage.
 

Chris Jusino's first instrument was trumpet, but his Uncle bringing a guitar to his house and playing Led Zeppelin tunes changed everything. He took up the guitar and at age 11 and never looked back. He began giving lessons to friends in Junior High School and later started teaching professionally at New York Music Emporium in Bellmore. Chris has also taught Music Theory, Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Improvisation
at Nassau Community College.
He has toured Germany and Italy with The Bluebeats, played on Broadway with Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out, and released albums with One Groovy Coconut, The Bluebeats, Altered Minds and Serial Poets, a band in which he plays Bass Guitar. Since 2011 he has played with Long Island Legends the Touch and Touch the 80’s.
He has worked with various artists live and in the studio such as The Lords of 52nd
Street (Featuring former Billy Joel band members (Richie Cannata, Russell Javors and Liberty Devitto) The Mystic, Big Shot, Captain Jack, Wade Preston and the Movin’ Out Band, The New York Ska/Jazz Ensemble, Matt Friedman, Fivestone, Soul Doctor, Sparkwood and Twenty-One, The Flaming Merkin and Sue Wendelkin. He is currently working on a new album with the progressive metal band Altered Minds.
An avid baseball fan, Chris still plays hardball, often with both his Father and Son. 

Chris thinks melding all the different influences to create one sound, make people dance and share joy is the best part of being in The NuGroove Project.

Michael W. Hansome was classically trained from the age of eight, Michael began his musical journey studying upright bass in school music programs. Those early years in classical training built the foundation for the musician he would become precise, versatile, and deeply connected to his instrument.

The first band Michael ever played in was a group of friends from school. His audition was on upright bass, but within a week he picked up an electric bass and never looked back. That band was a Southern rock group, and soon after he was jamming with neighborhood friends who played heavy metal. Over the years, he played in so many bands he lost count sometimes even showing up to a gig without knowing who he’d be performing with until the rest of the players arrived.

One band in particular stands out an original project where the guitarist asked him what style he played. Michael simply answered, “My own.” The guitarist smiled and said, “Good answer.” That moment summed up his entire approach to music. His classical foundation gave him the ability to blend into any genre while bringing his own feel and character to the stage. From bluegrass to jazz fusion, from rock and disco to country and everything in between, his adaptability has always been his strength.

Today, Michael performs with several projects, including The NuGroove Project, a band that perfectly fits his musical spirit. With its mix of creativity, variety, and genre-bending style, NuGroove gives him the space to bring all his influences together. In addition to performing, he also works as a sound technician for other bands, using his trained ear to help shape their live sound.

His lifetime of experience and versatility have made Michael not only a solid and dynamic bassist, but an essential part of The NuGroove Project’s signature groove.

Richard Louis-Pierre started playing piano at just four years old and has since mastered several instruments including bass and guitar. His love of music inspired him to explore an impressive range of genres from Classical and Medieval to Rock, Funk, Jazz, Soul, and 20th century music. His studies culminated in a degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

Since college, Rich has worked as a NYC teacher, Director of Music at a church in Breezy Point, and Music Director at the Rockaway Theatre Company. He has also performed with several groups throughout the New York area, bringing his versatility to every stage he steps on.

In The NuGroove Project, Rich’s talents go far beyond the keys. He’s a master of sound, always fine-tuning the band’s system to make every show shine. His tech skills keep things running smoothly, and his harmonies fill the gaps in songs layered with rich vocals. When the moment calls for it, he’ll even jump on rhythm guitar so Chris can take the lead.

With his background in running theater productions, Rich is now helping The NuGroove Project shape and formulate their upcoming theater act. He brings a perfect mix of heart, skill, and technical finesse to The NuGroove Project, giving every show that extra layer of sound and soul the audience can feel. As part of the original NuGroove Project family, Rich is valued for his dedication, professionalism, and the genuine passion he brings to every performance.