Down To The Bone is the long-running groove jazz project of UK producer, writer and curator Stuart Wade. Formed in late 1993, the project grew out of Wade’s immersion in London’s club culture, where jazz, funk and soul collided on the dancefloor. A remix of Joy Is Free — originally by his band Think Twice — became the catalyst, earning heavy rotation on Kiss FM and widespread DJ support across the UK and Europe. Inspired by venues and nights that defined the era, Wade set out to preserve the raw, rhythm-led side of jazz groove at a time when the scene was beginning to soften.

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The early releases quickly established Down To The Bone as something distinct. Staten Island Groove and the debut album From Manhattan To Staten captured international attention, particularly in the US, where strong radio support pushed the album to No.2 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. Despite never fitting neatly into one genre, the project connected deeply with listeners, becoming one of the top-selling independent jazz acts of the late 1990s and building a global audience largely through word of mouth and the dancefloor rather than trends.

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Over the years, Down To The Bone has continued to evolve while staying true to its groove-first foundations, releasing a steady run of albums across labels including Verve and Narada / Blue Note, and collaborating with influential figures such as Roy Ayers, Brian Auger, Reuben Wilson and Flora Purim, alongside a host of standout vocalists. More recent releases reflect a project still driven by curiosity and craft — rooted in the past, but always looking forward — with Wade continuing to do what he’s always done best: making records built for movement, feeling and longevity.