New Gregg Karukas 2025 Shows just announced.

April 27 El Encanto Santa Barbara, CA 11:30-2:30pm Jazz/Bossa Nova Brunch Duo with Julie Kelly

May 2 The Grape Ventura, CA - GK Soul/Jazz Party 8pm. GK-Hammond Organ, Thom Rotella-guitar, Kevin Winard-drums, Kevin Ricard-percussion

May 30-31 London, UK Pizza Express GK w/ Adam Goldsmith on guitar, Orefo Orakwue on bass, Westley Joseph on drums, Miki Ramon on Sax

June 7-21 Dave Koz and Friends Iceland Cruise (SOLD OUT) After acting as Musical Director for the the 2021-23 cruises, Gregg returns with the GK Soul/Jazz Party for the first time, and other special performances.

July 5 Libretto Paso Robles Gregg guests with Pat Kelley Quartet

July 19 Libretto Paso Robles unplugged trio on the Steinway 9ft. concert grand

July 24 Laguna Festival of the Arts GK unplugged piano trio/solo-

2024 Tour Dates Done

Nov 9 - Austin, TX  Horseshoe Bay Resort All-Star Show with GK, Peter White, Chris Walker, Paul Brown, Michael Paulo

Nov 23-24 Oakland, CA GK  guests with Peter White at Yoshi's

Holiday Jazz shows

Gregg brings back the unplugged Holiday Shows with Joel Taylor, John Leftwich and special guest vocalist TBA

Dec 14 - Paso Robles, CA   Libretto Holiday Jazz unplugged trio on the Steinway 9ft. concert grand with Joel Taylor, John Leftwich and special guest vocalist 6:30 & 8:30 shows

Dec 15 - Fresno, CA Maximus Studios Holiday Jazz unplugged trio with Joel Taylor, John Leftwich and special guest vocalist 7:30

Dec 19 - Ventura, CA The Grape Holiday Jazz unplugged trio with Joel Taylor, John Leftwich and special guest vocalist 7:30

2025:

Jan 9-12 Seattle, WA  Jazz Alley Gregg guests with Peter White

2024 DONE:

March 22 - Topanga Canyon Bistro   GK piano trio with Ken Wild and Kendall Kay on drums
***March 27-28 - North Hollywood, CA El Portal Theater   "Flashes of Light" Musical concert
April 19 - Ventura, CA The Grape - GK full show w/ Woody Mankowski, Michael O'Neill, Darryl Williams and Joel Taylor
April 21 - Seal Beach, CA - SPAGHETTINI  6:30pm GK full show w/ Woody Mankowski, Michael O'Neill, Darryl Williams and Joel Taylor
April 26 - Pasadena, CA 1881 E. Washington Bl. - GK Soul/Jazz Party GK on Hammond organ with Joel Taylor and guitar TBA

June 6 - Atlanta, GA Suite Lounge

June 8 - Dallas, TX Bishop Arts Jazz Series - Co-bill with Mindi Abair
June 23 - Detroit, MI   Royal Oak Music Festival - 3PM show FREE

June 28 - Topanga, CA Topanga Bistro GK Soul/Jazz Party GK on Hammond organ Tyler Hammond - drums, guitar TBA

July 13 - San Ramon, CA (Bay area) GK guests with Peter White

July 14 - Woodland, CA GK solo house concert The Blue Rose (Sacramento area) 6-8 pm
July 21 - Temecula, CA  South Coast Winery - Allstar Show GK, Chris Standring and Patrick Lamb
Aug 8 - Laguna Beach, CA  Festival of the Arts GK unplugged piano trio/solo- w/ Joel Taylor, Ian Martin

August 16- Pasadena, CA 1881 E. Washington Bl.-GK Soul/Jazz Party GK on Hammond organ w/ Joel Taylor and guitar TBA
Aug 23 - Paso Robles, CA   Libretto  GK piano trio/solo on the Steinway 9ft. concert grand- - w/ Joel Taylor, Ian Martin

Sept 27 - Topanga, CA Topanga Canyon Bistro  GK Soul/Jazz Party GK on Hammond organ w/ special guest Ricardo Silveira from Brazil plus Aaron Serfaty. 7-9:30

Sept 28 - The Grape Ventura, CA Doug Webb, GK on Hammond organ, Ricardo Silveira and Joel Taylor
East Coast:
October 3 - Annapolis, MD  Ramshead on Stage w/ Brad Collins, Stan Cooper, Deren Blessman, Tom Tucciarone

October 6 Rehoboth, DE GK intimate solo concert at The Room at Cedar Grove Dinner and show $45 6:30-8:30

October 9 - Richmond, VA Tin Pan w/ Brad Collins, Stan Cooper, Deren Blessman, Tom Tucciarone 8pm


2023 Tour dates

Dec 2  Albuquerque, NM    African American Performing Arts Center
Dec 5 Beverly Hills, CA  Vibrato  GK with Ray Fuller
Dec 15 Topanga, CA Canyon Bistro Thom Rotella, GK (Hammond organ), Kendall Kay

-——————————————————-2024————————————————————
Jan 11-14 Seattle, WA  Jazz Alley  Gregg guests with Peter White and Vincent Ingala
Feb 1 Ventura, CA  NAMBA Benefit featuring Gregg Karukas solo piano
Feb 17 Rancho Mirage, CA  Grooves at the Westin Palm Desert  Peter White, GK and Spencer Day

June 8 Dallas, TX Bishop Arts Jazz Series GK co-bill w/ Mindi Abair

Fall: East Coast Tour

——————————————————2023 Done———————————————————————-

Mar 4 Paso Robles, CA  GK plays unplugged at Libretto on the Steinway 9ft. grand. With John Leftwich and Kevin Winard
Mar 24-26 GK guests with Peter White at: Solvang, Livermore, Saratoga, CA
April 16 Westlake Village, CA GK plays 5pm short organ set at Sherwood CC for Benefit Loving Home Hospice for Children
May 27-28 San Diego-Hammond Organ Summit at Jazz Lounge w/ Carey Frank and Doug Kvandval

June 9-10 Oakland, CA  GK  guests with Peter White at Yoshi's

June 16 Pasadena, CA 1881 Bar 1881 E. Washington Bl. GK Soul/Jazz Organ Party w/ Miles Jensen and Kevin Winard

June 24 Murietta, CA - Michael Paulo's Temecula Wine and Music Festival- Allstar Show GK w/ Paul Brown, Steve Oliver, Michael Paulo

June 29 Ventura, CA The Grape GK Soul/Jazz Organ Party w/ Miles Jensen and Kevin Winard

July 7 Pasadena, CA 1881 Bar 1881 E. Washington Bl. GK Soul/Jazz Organ Party w/ Joel Taylor and TBA

July 29 Laguna, CA Festival of the Arts; GK plays with Michael Paulo 

Organ trio gigs:
Aug 3: Ventura, CA  Bellringer Brewing Company w/ Davey Miller on drums 7-9pm
Aug 4: Canyon Bistro   Topanga Canyon, CA w/ Tyler Hammond on drums and Thom Rotella on guitar  7-9pm

Aug 9: Ventura, CA Topa Topa Brewery w/ Davey Miller on drums  7-9pm
Aug 11: Pasadena, CA    1881 Bar  1881 E. Washington Bl. w/ Tyler Hammond on drums and Thom Rotella on guitar
Aug 17: Ventura, CA  Bellringer Brewing Company w/ Davey Miller on drums  7-9pm
Aug 18: Topanga Canyon, CA Canyon Bistro    w/ Tyler Hammond on drums and Thom Rotella on guitar  7-9pm
Aug 13: Temecula, CA South Coast Winery    All-star show with GK, Adam Hawley and Pamela Williams, Michael Paulo
Aug 24 Laguna, CA Festival of the Arts; GK Soul/Jazz Party Organ Show  5:30-7pm
GK Shows on the East Coast w/ Brad Collins, Deren Blessman, Tom Tucciarone, Stan Cooper
Sept 2 - Charlotte, NC  Middle C Jazz Club (6:15 and 8:45 shows)
Sept 6 - Richmond, VA Tin Pan 
Sept 7 - Annapolis, MD  Ramshead OnStage- tix on sale NOW!
Sept 8 - West Grove, PA   Ponderosa Barn-  GK Soul/Jazz Party w/ special guest Lucas Brown (guitar w/Joey DeFrancesco), Brad Collins, Deren Blessman 

Sept 24 Ojai, CA Beatrice Wood Arts Center for the Arts 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023 3PM rare solo performance on the Steinway grand.

October 21 Paso Robles, CA    Libretto GK Trio on the Steinway 9ft. concert grand!
Nov 24-25 GK  in London at PIZZA EXPRESS- SOHO tix available soon

GK on Tour

GK on Tour

Archived dates 2022:

Jan 20 - Ventura, CA GK Soul/Jazz Party at The Grape only LA area show, w/ Michael O'Neill, Joel Taylor and Keith McKelly 7-10:30PM
Feb 12 - Ala Moana Hotel, Oahu Peter White, GK and Michael Paulo
Feb 14 - Kona - Gertrude's Jazz Bar GK Soul/Jazz Party
March 12 - Palm Desert, CA Peter White and GK - Grooves Jazz at the Westin Outdoor show

April 2 - Reading, PA Berks Jazz Festival 2PM Ballroom show - GK Organ Soul/Jazz Party w/ the Berks Horns

April 28 - Ventura, CA GK Soul/Jazz Organ Party at The Grape only LA area show
May 4-8 Portugal Algarve Festival - GK show

May 12 - Ventura, CA The Twist on Main 6:30PM GK on piano w/ Davey Miller-drums, Santino Tafarella-upright bass no cover

June 16 - Ventura, CA The Twist on Main - Jazz Night with Davey Miller drums/vocals, GK on organ, guitar TBA

June 18 - Spaghettini - Gregg guests with Thom Rotella

June 25 - Temecula, CA Thornton Winery - Gregg guests with Peter White

July 14 - Laguna, CA Festival of the Arts - GK Soul/Jazz Organ Party with Thom Rotella, Keith McKelly, Tyler Hammond 5:30-7pm

July 16 - Ventura, CA GK Soul/Jazz Organ Party at The Grape with Thom Rotella, Keith McKelly, Tyler Hammond

July 24 - Temecula, CA 7PM South Coast Winery - GK with Jazmin Ghent, Darryl Williams

Aug 7 - Laguna, CA Festival of the Arts Gregg performs on grand piano; solo and with acoustic trio. 5:30-7pm

Aug 10 - Richmond. VA Tin Pan GK and Paul Brown-TOGETHER w/Brad Collins, Scott Ambush, Deren Blessman

Aug 11 Baltimore, MD Keystone Korner GK and Paul Brown-TOGETHER w/Brad Collins, Scott Ambush, Deren Blessman

Aug 12 Elmira, NY - https://www.elmirajazzfestival.com/ GK and Paul Brown-TOGETHER....w/Brad Collins, Scott Ambush, Deren Blessman

Aug 14 Boca Raton, FL - Funky Biscuit GK Show w/Brad Collins, Stan Cooper, Scott Ambush, Deren Blessman

New Soul/Jazz Brazilian Party shows w/ special guest Ricardo Silveira announced:

October 12- Blues Alley, Washington, DC,

October 14 - Rehoboth Jazz Fest. ,

October 28 - Spaghettini , Seal Beach, CA,

November 5 - The Grape Ventura, CA.

October 14 Milton, DE Rehoboth Jazz Fest. Sydney’s

October 16 Rehoboth Jazz Fest. Grand Jam

October 21 Charlotte, NC Middle C Jazz Club

October 28 Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini w/ special guest Ricardo Silveira

Oct 29 Ventura, CA The Grape w/ special guest Ricardo Silveira

November 19 Los Angeles, CA Private Event


Serenata Review by Kathy Parsons Mainlypiano.com

With Serenata, his first solo piano album in a long and illustrious career, Gregg Karukas dazzles, not with piano pyrotechnics, but with subtle nuance and a deep love for this music.

A mix of new and re-imagined original compositions along with “piano impressions” of Brazilian artists Milton Nacimento, Clube da Esquina and Dori Caymmi, Karukas clearly demonstrates that, in the right hands, great music (and great musicianship!) defies genres and categories to enrich the ears and hearts of anyone willing to take some time to listen. Calling the project “a labor of love that came out of the isolation of the last few months,” the album was initially inspired by a rediscovered cassette tape of his live performances from the 1990’s with Dori Caymmi and Ricardo Silveira at Le Cafe in Los Angeles. One evening, Karukas sat down at the piano and played some of the pieces from memory - a deeply emotional experience that set him off on a new adventure to create this wonderful collection of 15 solo piano gems.

A Grammy Award winner, Gregg Karukas’ 30+ year career as a keyboardist/ composer/ producer has included twelve solo albums, many #1 radio hits, touring with a variety of artists that include Sergio Mendes and Melissa Manchester, being a founding member of The Rippingtons, contributing to more than 100 albums, and sessions for many films and television shows. He has recorded and played on the world’s biggest stages with many of his Brazilian musical heroes, including Montreux Jazz with Caymmi, and multiple shows at the Hollywood Bowl with Ivan Lins, Oscar Castro Neves, Tom Jobim, Toots Thielemans, Mendes and Caymmi. Serenata brings this musical "love affair" full circle - “a crossover treat from the heart, for the heart” (Karukas’ words).

The album begins with “Travessia” by Fernando Brant and Milton Nascimento - a beautifully wistful and dreamy piece that sets the tone of the album. “Ponta de Areia,” also composed by Brant and Nascimento, conveys a warm, soothing energy in a relaxed and understated style. The title track, a Karukas original, has a sweet, simple melody that floats on the flowing left hand broken chords - a favorite! “Tudo O Que Você Podia Ser” by Lô Borges and Marcio Borges combines a jazzier, more rhythmic style with a beautifully poignant melody. Karukas’ “Better Days” is another favorite - simple, direct and from the heart. “Sound of Emotion,” (Karukas) feels like an intimate conversation without words - I love it! “Paisagem da Janela” by Fernando Brant and Lô Borges is a light and breezy bit of musical sunshine. Karukas’ tender, loving “Dori’s Song” is a heartfelt tribute to a dear friend. He also composed "Para Sempre (Until Forever)," a reflective and deeply emotional soul searching at the piano, perhaps late at night by the light of a candle - my favorite piece on the album. The last two tracks were also penned by Karukas. “Lament (Final Embrace)” is a heartbreaking goodbye that goes far beyond any words to describe it, and “Long Ago” brings the album to a very peaceful, serene close.

I sincerely hope that Serenata is just the first in a long series of solo piano albums by Gregg Karukas and predict it will be one of the best and most honored albums of 2021!

Album Links Amazon(referral)Apple/iTunes/Spotify

Contemporary Fusion Reviews - Dick Metcalf

Melodic solo keyboard magic Gregg Karukas – SERENATA:   I’ve spent a lot of time with the piano; playing it (both live and in-studio) as well as reviewing 100’s of other players, so I can tell you that solo pianist Gregg Karukas’ melodic solo keyboard is pure, unadulterated, magic!  Get an intimate look at his preview trailer for the album first…

When you SUBSCRIBE to Gregg’s YouTube channel, you will experience his magic on many other instruments as well (this is his first solo piano album ever).

The thing that truly sets Gregg’s piano apart from other pianists is his sensitivity for what the listener will need to hear; nowhere is that more evident than on his original composition, “Better Days“… his “pacing” is perfect, and every note is formed with the utmost care… DJ’s of all stripes will be plugging this into their playlists for days (and months & years) to come!

Another original composition that really impressed me is Gregg’s “Para Sempre” (Until Forever)… in his own words, “For me, the best music comes out of an inner feeling of either intense happiness or sadness”, and both moods are reflected in this emotional song.

Of the fifteen fascinating songs Gregg offers up for our piano pleasure, I found one of the shorter performances (2:59), “Lament” (Final Embrace) was my choice for personal favorite… he reaches down inside his own heart to touch yours with passion and intensity… I just LOVED this song!

I give Gregg a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99.  

 

JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran

“A thoughtful, reflective and ultimately joyful work. After so many years of in-the-pocket Smooth jazz hit-making, it’s wonderful to experience Karukas’ truest heart on display. To quote one of those earlier titles, that’s truly the sound of emotion coming through loud and clear.”

 Gregg Karukas’ extraordinary success over the past 30-plus years as a #1 charting smooth jazz artist and one of the genre’s busiest sidemen make it easy to overlook the deeper elements of versatile composer/keyboardist’s expansive resume – including winning a Grammy in 2013 for his work with new age pianist Omar Akram and his many years of touring with Brazilian greats Sergio Mendes, Dori Caymmi and Ricardo Silvera in the 90’s.

 Both of those extracurriculars come into play on Serenata, a thoughtful, reflective and ultimately joyful work that marks Karukas’ first-ever solo piano album, his first release in over six years and first since losing his wife Yvonne to cancer. The unique concept – captured in the album subtitle “Piano Impressions of Milton Nascimento Clube Da Esquina and Dori Caymmi “ – grew out of a recent discovery of old cassettes of some of those Brazilian shows. Listening most attentively to his shows with Caymmi at the small L.A. club Le Café, where the singer often introduced Karukas as “my orchestra,” sparked a powerful emotional reaction.

The keyboardist also re-discovered the video of his 1992 wedding where Caymmi sang “O Cantador” – a gently wistful piece that is one of the emotional centerpieces on the generous 15 track collection. Karukas also thought back to memories of his early days driving to gigs in his hometown of Washington, DC, listening to Nascimento imports. Combining all of these inspirations with the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown created an ideal palette for him to explore his deeper piano artistry and find the kind of healing and hope that only the music of the heart can bring. That’s the sparkling magic Karukas shares throughout from the elegant, seductive Nascimento-penned opening tracks “Travessia” and “Ponta de Aeria” to the equally subtle graces of “Club da Esquina” and Caymmi’s “Historia Antga” and the playful hypnotic romp “Paisagem de Janela.”

 In a good way, Serenata’s subtitle mentioning the Brazilian influences isn’t quite accurate because nearly half the tracks are delightful ultra-melodic Karukas originals that fit in perfectly among the works of the masters. These include solo piano reworkings of two gems from his mid-90’s smooth jazz classic Sound of Emotion (including, naturally, the soulful, tender-hearted tribute “Dori’s Song”) and moody originals whose titles (“Better Days,” “Lament (Final Embrace),” “Long Ago”) capture his process of acknowledging and letting go of the sorrows of the past and embracing the grand possibilities of the road ahead.

 After so many years of in the pocket smooth jazz hit making, it’s wonderful to experience Karukas’ truest heart on display. To quote one of those earlier titles, that’s truly the sound of emotion coming through loud and clear “A thoughtful, reflective and ultimately joyful work. After so many years of in-the-pocket Smooth jazz hit-making, it’s wonderful to experience Karukas’ truest heart on display. To quote one of those earlier titles, that’s truly the sound of emotion coming through loud and clear.”  Jonathan Widran. JW Vibe https://www.jwvibe.com/single-post/gregg-karukas-serenata

Serenata By Gregg Karukas

Written by Steve Sheppard

 There are moments in time when you really need to be lifted into a better frame of mind and sometimes, just sometimes, it will be music that will help you get there, this was the case for me this sombre Monday morning in March, when the refrains of the quite tranquil, yet deeply pleasing album entitled Serenata by Gregg Karukas lifted my mood and raised my spirits.

Gregg’s slice of piano heaven is a jam packed 15 track album of beautiful layered and textured offerings, that are all undeniably lush and beautiful. The opening piece is a fine example of that charm, as we can enjoy the first footsteps of the album with the warm and all-embracing opener Travessia.

My personal favourite from the release would be the title track Serenata, the lightness of performance and the melody together for me was a touch of magic from beyond the supposed limits of brilliance, and reminded me greatly of classic David Lanz at times.

With emotive and thoughtful offerings like Better Days or the colourful refrains of pieces like O Cantador, this album was always going to be a hit from start to finish; those who love to sit and bathe within the realms of a collection of a solo piano master class will love tracks like the touching and classy Historia Antiga, or perhaps the gentle and serene offering known as Lament (Final Embrace), a piece with a sombre, but reflective and emotional composition, one that will touch the musical heart with ease.

Serenata by Gregg Karukas is a fine collection of wondrous solo piano compositions, it is a musical tale told by one, to be felt, touched and listened to by many.

No less than 15 opportunities lay within the dimension of piano heaven, and each one of them can be sampled willingly many times over, this timeless manifestation of heartfelt moments of solo piano genius, have raised the bar in the ranks of this genre by a mile, and as such should be a huge hit for the artist should there be any justice left in this musical world of ours.

Serenata
By Gregg Karukas
Buy on Amazon

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