Get down to the grooves of veteran all-star band Wheedle’s Groove – a coming together of some of the finest funk and soul musicians from Seattle’s thriving soul music scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The group will perform a free Seattle Presents concert, noon to 1:30 p.m., this Thursday, July 12 on City Hall’s outdoor plaza.

The show kicks off the Seattle Presents summer concert series.  Go here for the complete summer lineup.

Mayor Mike McGinn has called Wheedle’s Groove “an overlooked jewel in the crown of Seattle music,” and even proclaimed September 4, 2010 “Wheedle’s Groove Day.” The band formed when a one-night reunion concert turned into a compilation CD in 2004, titled Wheedle’s Groove: Seattle’s Finest in Funk & Soul 1965-75, and released by A Light in the Attic records.  The Wheedle was adopted as the bands’ namesake when they decided to name their group after “the worst mascot in the history of mascots ever.”  In 2009, their original album Kearney Barton was released.

The funk and soul super-group includes members of local legends Black on White Affair; Cookin’ Bag; Cold, Bold & Together and more.  The group also includes former Seattle KYAC soul radio DJ Robert Nesbitt and guitarist Herman Brown, father of the popular Seattle rapper/producer Vitamin D.  All are united by one goal: to “recreate magic.”

Wheedle’s Groove was born of Seattle’s original soul and funk movement and continues to move Seattleites of all ages today.

Seattle Presents concerts are presented by the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, Metropolitan Improvement District and Triamp Group.