Affirmative Groove
Affirmative Groove brings high-energy performances, flawless choreography, and a touch of Hollywood glamour, with charismatic vocals that get your guests dancing and keep the celebration going.
Core Lineup
Add-on Lineup Options
About the Band
Affirmative Groove
Affirmative Groove is a high-energy, 8-piece party band hailing from Richmond, VA. With a charismatic leading man, two standout female vocalists, and polished choreography, this band of veteran musicians will bring your big event to life.
The first thing you’ll notice about Affirmative Groove is the look. The husband-wife team of Marrell and Sherry Elam infuses classic hollywood flair into everything they do. From attire to hairstyles to wardrobe details, this band is dedicated to presenting an expertly-crafted look that imparts a classy feel to any festivities.
The next thing you’ll notice about the band is the magnetic presence of its frontman. A quintessential showman through and through, Marrell’s vibe and style blends touches of James Brown, Prince, Usher, and Michael Jackson, and his relentless energy and interaction with the audience is sure to get the crowd dancing. His voice is smooth and polished, full of authentic soul, personality, and charm. Marrell feels right at home in any genre and can perform all your favorite songs, including funk, pop, hip-hop, and even classic rock.
One of the band’s most notable strengths is their impeccable choreography. The three lead vocalists work together as a unit, moving and dancing in sync without missing a beat. Their dedication to this aspect of every performance helps create unforgettable, captivating moments at your event.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Bruno Mars
Lionel Richie
Temptations
SING Soundtrack
Bruno Mars
Chris Stapleton
The Emotions
Pitbull
Quincy Jones
Testimonial
Affirmative Groove exceeded our (admittedly already high) expectations. Marrell and the band were professionals, from song choices and logistics ahead of time to emceeing and playing on the day of our wedding. They had the dance floor filled the entire night (nearly 4 hours), and made the evening both personal and extremely memorable. The number of guests we have had complement Affirmative Groove in the three weeks since our wedding is remarkable. We could not recommend them enough.
Relax. You're booking a Sam Hill band.
Excellence On & Off Stage
It’s more than the performance—our bands are as professional offstage as on. We’ve got you.
Personal Booking Managers
No one-size-fits-all here. Your Booking Manager ensures your event is just as you envision.
Tech That Simplifies Everything
Our event planning tools make the process easy and efficient. Less stress, more excitement.
FAQs
Find answers to your questions about our bands and booking process right here.
We offer bands for nearly every budget, starting around $2,000 and going up to $15,000+. Most dance bands range between $3,500 and $8,500.
Bands bring instruments and sound equipment for most weddings and events, covering up to several hundred guests. For larger events, additional sound support can be arranged for a fee or through a vendor you provide.
All bands provide basic lighting for their performance area, but this isn’t decor lighting for the whole space. Light stands typically feature a few white or colored LED or par cans. Some bands can adjust lighting to fit the event, or they can skip it if you’re working with a separate lighting vendor.
Special event bands charge a single fee for up to a 4-hour block, including breaks. They’ll play a preset playlist during breaks, scheduled around natural pauses like speeches or cake cutting. For a 4-hour event, bands need at least 45 minutes of break time, usually split into two 20-25 minute breaks. Some bands offer a three-hour no-break option and can add overtime for an extra fee.
Spring and fall Saturday events often book a year or more in advance, with popular dates typically securing bands 8-15 months ahead. Non-Saturday events book closer to the date, and we often help clients with shorter timelines (2-6 months) find great bands. Booking early increases your options for in-demand bands, so reach out soon!