Chillie Willie Groove Band

IN-PERSON & LIVE-STREAMED EVENT
WATCH NOW

“Shake Your Body Baby” isn’t just a Chillie Willie song title, it’s a lifestyle. William Portela, aka “Chillie Willie Groove," fuses funk, rhythm and blues, soul, smooth jazz, and salsa influences into a dynamite dance floor invitation. Chillie Willie has toured with Angela Bofill, Phyllis Hyman, Tom Browne, and has opened for Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangion, Bootsy Collins, and Jimmy Cliff, among others. Scoot your boot to the mainstage to experience this “unconventional percussionist” (Eurweb).

Watch this Chillie Willie Groove Smooth Jazz Television appearance.

Chillie Willie Groove

Latin Percussionist Extraordinaire Chillie Willie Groove came out of the womb playing percussion as his father played to his mother during her pregnancy! Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Haven, CT, Chillie has performed for the US Military while in service and has performed with countless salsa, jazz, and R&B bands, touring Europe and opening for Tito Puente at the Brian Alden Jazz Festival in New Haven. He has also opened for Pato Baton, Jimmy Cliff, and Bootsy Collins. His sophomore release will be out in July 2021. 

Fri, June 25, 2021 - 7:00pm
1 hr

Alexander Clark Stage on the New Haven Green

Sponsors & Partners