It was back in 2002, at a weekly blues jam in Boston, when a young, soulful singer named Sara Colb began wowing crowds with her uniquely powerful voice and melodies – a vocal talent that featured impressive control and a range that commanded the attention of all who heard her. It was at these jam sessions where she met up with local guitar player/songwriter James Houlahan, who had already built up an impressive catalog of original material and had been searching for “the” vocal partner to deliver his tunes the way he intended them. The two combined to form a powerful musical package, able to produce a seemingly endless flow of great original material with a traditional blues rock base. All they needed were the right band members to complete the project, quality players that would allow them to create and share their music with the world. It would not be long before Andy Hackbarth on keyboards, Adam Soreff on drums, and Matt Ambrose on base were added to the roster to become what would soon be known as the popular rock band - THE JODY GRIND (derived from a Horace Silver jazz song). THE JODY GRIND has since been on a musical journey that has resulted in the following:
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Sara
Colb's voice regularly bedazzles critics and audience members alike with
its soulful, bluesy warmth, range, and control. Likened to a cross between
Janis Joplin and Melissa Ethridge (with a Lucinda Williams attitude), she
has been singing professionally since 2002. In addition to much critical
and fan acclaim, Sara was also a recent finalist on Boston television’s “FOX 25 Morning Idol” competition.
Since then, she has been steadily maturing as a performer and songwriter,
and developing her instrument to be one of the most potent vocalists on
the music scene today.
Houlahan, the primary songwriter for THE JODY GRIND,
began writing songs at the age of nine, at the behest of his piano teacher. It
was when spending some time in Italy, at the age of 20, when he really
began mastering the craft of songwriting with his acoustic guitar (as
no other instruments were available to him). Houlahan dedicated
himself to writing songs in multiple genres and soon realized that music
was in his future. Meeting up with Sara Colb and forming THE
JODY GRIND in 2002, he has performed his songs in venues
throughout New England, has been heard on many radio airwaves, and seen
on network television. His catalog of original tunes continues
to expand and currently has over 100 songs waiting to see the light of
day with the band. 
Hackbarth began playing piano at the age of 6; by the time he was
12, he had traded in the structure of the classical songbook in favor
of the less rigid, more improvised approach allowed by old jazz and show
standards. Almost entirely self-taught in this area, Hackbarth developed
an ear for improvisation and harmony—both instrumental and vocal—that
has served him well throughout his musical career playing more contemporary
rock, blues, and country styles. In 2002 he co-founded Boston-area country-rock
group THE LONESOMES, where his duties include
piano, vocals, and songwriting, and in 2005 he joined THE
JODY GRIND, with whom he plays piano, organ, and sings
backing vocals.
Soreff's professional musical career spans over 15 years. He has accumulated
extensive free-lance artist experience in a variety of musical styles;
ranging from pop rock, blues, metal, jazz/fusion, jingles, etc. and has
taught drum techniques and concepts to students of various levels. Soreff's
consistent work as a session recording artist began in his teen years
and ranged from musical compilations, advertising jingles, and other
recording projects. 
Bassist Matt Ambrose's musical background includes a degree from Berklee’s
College of Music and a diverse performing career including professional
work in jazz, pop, theater orchestras, and, of course, contemporary rock
bands. He also has vast experience with double bass playing gypsy jazz
with local act SINTI RHYTHM and “adventurous” programming
with the NEW ENGLAND PHILHARMONIC. 
