NEW 2024 TOUR DATES

and Holiday shows just announced

Grammy winning Producer, Composer, Keyboardist’s latest solo piano CD Order SERENATA - autographed CD’s with Paypal or Venmo

Reviews of Serenata “Pianist Gregg Karukas’ melodic solo keyboard is pure, unadulterated, magic! He reaches down inside his own heart to touch yours with passion and intensity.” Dick Metcalf - Contemporary Fusion Reviews

“I loved Gregg’s work with Dori Caymmi and the new album really celebrated Dori, Milton, and Brazilian music. Gregg has a lovely touch and harmonic sense. It’s quite simply a gorgeous celebration of Brazilian music, filled with harmonic and melodic beauty.” Tom Schnabel KCRW Rhythm Planet

“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

Latest News

New Gregg Karukas Shows just announced.

2024 Tour Dates…so far

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

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 - Gregg’s first solo piano CD - release Feb 2021

Great melodies; the essential quality that has defined Grammy winning keyboardist / composer / producer Gregg Karukas’ 12 solo CD's over a three decade career, with many #1 radio hits, both sophisticated and accessible. "Serenata", his first ever solo piano project, offers romantic impressions of classic songs from iconic Brazilian artists Milton Nascimento and Dori Caymmi as well as new and re-imagined Karukas originals. Coming out of a 4 year hiatus, following the loss of his wife Yvonne from brain cancer, Gregg found the challenges of both the Covid isolation and developing his solo piano voice to be the perfect catalyst for reclaiming beauty, hope and, most importantly, new original music.

A prolific, genre-crossing veteran of Smooth Jazz, Brazilian, New Age and R&B/Pop, Gregg looks back on his years touring with Brazilian artists Sergio Mendes, Dori Caymmi and Ricardo Silveira in the 1990's as some of his favorite musical experiences. Gregg won the Best New Age Album Grammy in 2013 for producing, composing, playing piano/keyboards, arranging and engineering the Echoes of Love CD, a collaboration with Omar Akram, and has also worked with pianist David Lanz, arranging and producing two successful crossover CDs. He was a founding member of The Rippingtons and since then has been in the company of the top acts in the Smooth Jazz, World and R&B pop genres, touring with Boney James, Peter White, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Melissa Manchester, Larry Carlton, Sergio Mendes, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne and featured with various Allstar groups in recent years. He has had a diverse career in music with a long list of credits on CD’s and all media; Gregg arranged and played all keyboards on the theme songs to Disney's Ducktales and Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers and is a veteran of lots of TV/Film music sessions, (Cheers, Stand and Deliver, Life Goes On, Mr. Wrong). 

Gregg honed his multi-keyboard, synth programming, songwriting and album production skills in the studios and clubs of Washington, DC, paying dues thru the late -70's with Jazz/Fusion groups Tim Eyermann and East Coast Offering and Natural Bridge (along with bandmate and bass virtuoso Michael Manring). Moving to Los Angeles in 1982, Gregg's focus was not on developing a solo career, but with a goal to play as many different styles as possible. His first gig in LA was on his 12th day in town with singer/songwriter Shelby Flint (Angel on my Shoulder, Mercury), whose band included former Wings drummer Denny Seiwell and other top studio players. He soon found himself touring with Melissa Manchester, producing demos and collaborating with songwriters, working on TV/film music and contributing to over 100 CD's from all genres. By the mid-'80's he was playing his own, stylistically diverse, original songs at local gigs with top session players and leading the studio house band for It's Garry Shandling's Show on Showtime. One bandmate suggested he knew a small "new adult contemporary" label that was looking for artists. Gregg sent in his songs (1987's The Nightowl) and began a 3 decade solo career of chart topping melodies that has perfectly paralleled the growth of the Smooth Jazz genre.

Always in demand as a musical director and keyboardist, Gregg has received multiple Best Keyboardist nominations at the Oasis and National Smooth Jazz Awards. His best-known songs, "Elegant Nights (#1), "Rio Drive"(#1), "Girl in the Red Dress" (#4)  "Nightshift" (#1), and Jessy J.'s #1 hit "Tropical Rain" showcase Gregg's funky, melodic compositional style familiar to his fans. 

 "People say my music sounds romantic and uplifting - and I look so happy on stage," he says. "It's totally true. For me, the best music comes out of an inner feeling of either intense happiness or sadness. I always try to stay faithful to that original inspiration, because that is where the true 'sound of emotion' comes from."  

Gregg's contagious smile and positive attitude shows in his concerts, as he has emerged over the years as one of the genre's most dynamic and inspiring live performers since he first took the stage in 1987 with the original Rippingtons and toured through the years with superstars Boney James, Al Stewart, Sergio Mendes, and Larry Carlton.

Looking back, Gregg had no idea he would eventually be recording and playing 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, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Toots Thielemans, Mendes and Caymmi. “Serenata” brings this musical "love affair" full circle, a crossover treat from the heart, for the heart.

Trivia: Gregg's very first LP session was for naturalist/author Euell Gibbons, adding background Moog Synthesizer textures along with Tim Eyermann's echoing woodwinds for Gibbons' readings of the work of Henry David Thoreau, a collector's item that can occasionally be found on eBay.

Gregg grew up in Bowie, MD with world famous guitar maker Paul Reed Smith (PRS Guitars); same high school as Eva Cassidy, Kathie Lee Gifford, JC Chasez - N'Sync, Liz Meyer and JAN SCRUGGS The founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial .
More trivia: Gregg lost the tip of his right middle finger at age 12 and kept practicing piano with 4 fingers for the next 2 years until it healed enough to take the impact.

Contact: Al Evers: 510-893-4705    alevers@a-train.com

Radio/media promotion: Ed and Stacey Bonk: lazzpromotions@lazzpromotions.com 905-470-1230

Publicity: Holly Cooper - Mouthpiece Music (310) 993-4017 holly@mouthpiecemusic.com

Digital distribution: Bob Willard; bob@a-train.com

Physical distribution: Joseph@a-train.com

soul secrets - 2014

Gregg Karukas Short Bio

Grammy winning keyboardist/composer Gregg Karukas is enjoying the rare accomplishment of 2 consecutive #1 hit songs and THREE TOP 5 chart hits from his stellar 2014 CD release "Soul Secrets". His 2nd single, "Rio Drive" was named the #1 most played song of 2015 on Alan Kepler's Smooth Jazz Top 20! (#2 on Billboard's 2015 airplay chart). It follows "Elegant Nights" which hit the top of the charts in January of 2015. "Only You", the third single dedicated to Gregg's wife Yvonne, hit #2 on Smooth Jazz Top 20 in July 2016. Most recently, Gregg has taken his ever present smile and energetic, show around the world to Java Jazz in Jakarta, Manila, Jazztrax Catalina Jazz Festival and The Mallorca (Spain) Smooth jazz festival.

One of urban contemporary jazz's most versatile and acclaimed artists for over 25 years, Gregg won the Grammy for producing, composing, arranging, playing all keyboards and engineering Echoes of Love, which won Best New Age Album at the 55th Grammy Awards in February 2013. He was a founding member of The Rippingtons and since then has been in the company of the top acts in the Smooth Jazz and R&B pop genres, touring with Boney James, Peter White, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Melissa Manchester, Larry Carlton, Sergio Mendes, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne and featured with various Allstar groups in recent years. He has had a diverse career in music with a long list of credits on CD’s and all media; Gregg arranged and played all keyboards on the theme songs to Disney's Ducktales and Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers and is a veteran of lots of TV/Film music sessions, (Cheers, Stand and Deliver, Life Goes On, Mr. Wrong). 

As a solo artist, Gregg's 11 all-original CDs have garnered consistently solid reviews for his signature piano touch, pristine production, and melodies that are both soulful and sophisticated.  Always in demand as a musical director and keyboardist, Gregg has received multiple Best Keyboardist nominations at the Oasis and National Smooth Jazz Awards. His best-known songs, "Elegant Nights (#1), "Rio Drive"(#1), "Girl in the Red Dress" (#4)  "Nightshift" (#1), and Jessy J.'s #1 hit "Tropical Rain" showcase Gregg's funky, melodic compositional style familiar to his fans. 

 "People say my music sounds romantic and uplifting - and I look so happy on stage," he says. "It's totally true. For me, the best music comes out of an inner feeling of either intense happiness or sadness. I always try to stay faithful to that original inspiration, because that is where the true 'sound of emotion' comes from."  Gregg's contagious smile and positive attitude shows in his concerts, as he has emerged over the years as one of the genre's most dynamic and inspiring live performers since he first took the stage in 1987 with the original Rippingtons at the very first Jazztrax Catalina Jazz Festival. Since then, he has headlined the festival 4 times and played over 15 times with many other artists. Most recently, Gregg has taken his ever present smile and energetic, show around the world to Java Jazz in Jakarta, London, Dubai, Manila and The Mallorca (Spain) Smooth Jazz Festival.

Gregg Karukas

SOUL SECRETS
Nightowl Records
Street Date: Sept 30, 2014

Click to read Gregg’s selected TV/Film credits

FULL BIO - 2014

Grammy winning keyboardist/composer and Gregg Karukas is enjoying the rare accomplishment of 2 consecutive #1 hit songs from his stellar CD release "Soul Secrets". His 2nd single, "Rio Drive" was named the #1 most played song of 2015 on Alan Kepler's Smooth Jazz Top 20! (#2 on Billboard's 2015 airplay chart). It follows "Elegant Nights" which hit the top of the charts in January of 2015. "Only You", the third single dedicated to Gregg's wife Yvonne, hit #2 on Smooth Jazz Top 20 in July 2016. Most recently, Gregg has taken his ever present smile and energetic, show around the world to Java Jazz in Jakarta, Manila, Jazztrax Catalina Jazz Festival and The Mallorca (Spain) Smooth jazz festival.

Organic, funky, and melodic is how Gregg describes his latest, long awaited 12th solo project, Soul Secrets. Gregg's elegant grand piano and tasteful grooves are everywhere, and this time around he digs into his roots and also features the classic Fender Rhodes, Wurlie, Minimoog and Hammond B3 keyboards he grew up. With guest appearances by friends Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Ricardo Silveira, Eric Valentine, Nate Phillips, Michael O'Neill, James Harrah, Adam Hawley, violinist Charlie Bisharat, Luis Conte, Shelby Flint, Ron Boustead and 22 year old rising sax star Vincent Ingala, Soul Secrets reveals Karukas as an artist who has refined his sound to be instantly recognizable while constantly exploring a wide range of styles and grooves.

A prolific, genre-crossing veteran of Smooth Jazz, Brazilian, and R&B/Pop, Gregg won the Grammy in 2013 for producing, composing, playing all keyboards, arranging....and engineering the Echoes of Love CD, a collaboration with Omar Akram, which won Best New Age Album. Since his 2009 release "GK", Gregg has also been busy touring with guitarist Peter White and serving as musical director for the annual Dave Koz and Friends at Sea Smooth Jazz Cruises 2011-2013. After traveling the world with Koz and supporting all the artists onboard, Gregg made a deliberate career move in 2014 to focus more on his solo projects and finally found time to bring 14 new songs to life.

With the recent Grammy award and several #1 hit songs to his credit, Karukas has more than fulfilled his childhood dreams; having spent his early years close to the jukebox in his father's roadside tavern in Bowie, MD absorbing the hits of the sixties - from The Beatles to Motown. "I was inspired by the idea that you could touch people's emotions with melodic songs and lyrics that meant something." as Gregg puts it, "My favorite musical term is "Composer". Coming up, my role models were the great composer/keyboardists: Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Carole King, Leon Russell, Joni Mitchell, Joe Zawinul, and the recently departed George Duke."

Gregg's 11 solo CDs have garnered consistently solid airplay and reviews; and his musical versatility, easygoing nature and professional work ethic is what has kept him in demand as a musical director and keyboardist in the company of the top acts in the Smooth Jazz and R&B pop genres for decades, touring with Boney James, Peter White, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Melissa Manchester, Larry Carlton, Sergio Mendes, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne and featured with various Allstar groups in recent years. He has received multiple Best Keyboardist nominations at the Oasis and National Smooth Jazz Awards and his best-known radio hits, "Girl in the Red Dress" (#4) "Nightshift" (#1), and Jessy J.'s #1 hit "Tropical Rain" showcase Gregg's funky, melodic compositional style familiar to his fans.

......."Gregg Karukas’ music is the epitome of class and elegance…he’s got such a nuanced touch on the piano, and his compositions are always so satisfying. Add in a great ability to communicate live, and you have an all-around great talent."   Dave Koz---

"People say my music sounds romantic and uplifting - and I look so happy on stage," Gregg says. "It's totally true. For me, the best music comes out of an inner feeling of either intense happiness or sadness. I always try to stay faithful to that original inspiration, because that is where the true 'sound of emotion' comes from."

As a key player in the emergent LA Smooth Jazz scene, Gregg's late '80's bands and CD's included young undiscovered sax talents Dave Koz, Gary Meek and yes, Boney James, before his breakout Warner Brothers deal. His first major LA sessions were playing synthesizers and bass lines for Rockwell's Motown Gold Album "Somebody's Watching Me", then arranging and playing the theme songs to Disney's Ducktales and Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers. While doing lots of TV/Film music sessions, (Cheers, Stand and Deliver, Life Goes On, Mr. Wrong) Gregg kept developing his own original contemporary jazz catalog on the LA club scene and The Gregg Karukas Group became the house band for It's Garry Shandling's Show on Showtime.

In 1986, Gregg hooked up with Russ Freeman and founded the Rippingtons. When Russ needed a signature, expressive EWI (wind synthesizer) sound for the genre defining Moonlighting CD, Gregg suggested Dave Koz and the rest is Smooth Jazz history. When Dave began his own Dave Koz and Friends at Sea Cruise in 2011, he asked Gregg to be Musical Director and together they established what has become one of the ultimate "destination concert" events.
Gregg honed his multi-keyboard, synth programming, songwriting and album production skills in the studios and clubs of Washington, DC, paying dues thru the late -70's with Jazz/Fusion groups Tim Eyermann and East Coast Offering and Natural Bridge. His solo career began in LA with the Nightowl CD in 1987 and thru 11 CDs he has stayed true to his "no covers" policy. Gregg's uplifting attitude shows in his concerts, as he has emerged over the years as one of the genre's most dynamic and inspiring live performers since he took the stage in 1987 with the original Rippingtons at the very first Jazztrax Catalina Jazz Festival. Since then, he has headlined the festival 4 times and played over 15 times with many other artists. Most recently, Gregg has taken his ever present smile and energetic, show around the world to Java Jazz in Jakarta, Manila and The Mallorca (Spain) Smooth jazz festival.

Trivia: Gregg's very first LP session was for naturalist/author Euell Gibbons, adding background Moog Synthesizer textures along with Tim Eyermann's echoing woodwinds for Gibbons' readings of the work of Henry David Thoreau, a collector's item that can occasionally be found on eBay.
More trivia: Gregg lost the tip of his right middle finger at age 12 and kept practicing piano with 4 fingers for the next 2 years until it healed enough to take the impact.
Triviana: The only time the music of the Jazzmasters & Paul Hardcastle was performed live was a short US tour in 2009 featuring Gregg as keyboardist and Musical Director and Brits - Shilts and Chris Standring. Paul Hardcastle, who has never performed live, was not involved.

Contact: Al Evers: 510-893-4705    alevers@a-train.com
Radio Promotion: Bud Harner 818-788-9577    bud@chapmanmanagement.com

Click to read Gregg’s selected TV/Film credits