Grammy winning Producer, Composer, Keyboardist’s New 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
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Producer, Composer, Piano/Keyboards/Arranger, Engineer. Click to read the story
Read the Reviews of Soul Secrets
GK on Tour
New Gregg Karukas Shows just announced.
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
More TBA
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
___________________________________2022_____________________________________________________
Dec 17 Ventura, CA The Grape 2-5pm GK on Hammond organ w/ Doug Webb and Joel Taylor
Dec 21 2022 Vibrato w/ Ray Fuller, Jeff Kashiwa, Melvin Davis, Dave Karasony
Dec 22 Ventura, CA The Twist on Main 5:30-8:30pm GK on Hammond organ w/Davey Miller and Andy Waddell
2023 Dates:
Jan 7 Norfolk, VA Attucks Theater GK Show w/ Adam Hawley
Jan 22 San Diego, CA Humphrey’s Backstage w/ Paul Brown and Michael Paulo
Feb 11 Kauai, HI Sonesta Resort w/ Peter White, GK and Michael Paulo
Feb 14 Honolulu, HI Ala Moana Hotel w/ Peter White, GK and Michael Paulo
Feb 17 San Diego, CA Pala Casino Gregg guests w/ Peter White
Feb 18 Palm Desert, CA The Westin w/ Peter White, GK and Michael Paulo
Feb 26 Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini GK Show w/ special guest Michael Paulo
March 4 Paso Robles, CA Libretto Gregg Karukas Unplugged trio and solo on the Steinway Concert Grand
2022 Dates:
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 showApril 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 showMay 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
2021 Dates: so far
June 21 6 PM Spaghettini, Seal Beach GK Soul/Jazz Party Gregg Karukas on Hammond organ with a cast of all-stars: Pat Kelley-guitar, Keith McKelly-sax, Joel Taylor-drums.
July 18 South Coast Winery Temecula, CA GK and Paul Brown
July 31 Flint Jazz Festival ….tentative……..
Sept 25 - Las Vegas, NV - Gregg guests with Peter White at Santa Fe Station
More dates TBA,………2022………………
Feb 3-6, 2022 UK Pizza Express Soho GK and Paul Brown
May 3-8, 2022 Portugal Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival
2020 dates
Nov 22 - Playa Vista, CA GK Soul/Jazz Party Gregg Karukas on Hammond organ with a cast of all-stars: Pat Kelley-guitar, Keith McKelly-sax, Joel Taylor-drums.
Oct 19 Seal Beach, CA Just announced. The inaugural GK Soul/Jazz Party Gregg Karukas on Hammond organ
with a cast of all-stars: Gk-organ, Michael O'Neill-guitar, Keith McKelly-sax, Joel Taylor-drums
Feb 8 Palm Desert, CA WESTIN w/ Peter White*
Feb 22 Honolulu, HI GK, Michael Paulo and Paul Taylor
Feb 24 Maui, HI GK house concert tent.
Feb 28-29 Jakarta, Java Jazz GK, Michael Paulo and Melissa Manchester
March 14 Norfolk, VA The Attucks Theater GK w/ Brad Collins, Rick Watts, Stanley Cooper and Deren Blessman
March 7 Palm Desert, CA WESTIN w/ Rick Braun **
POSTPONED———May 15-16 Napa, CA Blue Note w/ Rick Braun **
—-future dates—-will be updated if postponed due to Covid-19.
June 13 Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini 8 pm
June 21 Temecula, CA South Coast Winery - GK and Paul Brown
Aug 22 Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini 8 pm
Fall 2020 GK East Coast Tour TBA
POSTPONED———til 2021 Oct 1-4 Algarve, Portugal - GK show
——————————————————————————————
**(Gregg guests w/ Rick Braun)
*(Gregg guests w/ Peter White)
2019
Sept 14 Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini 5:30 and 8 pm shows
Sept 19-21 UK Pizza Express Soho-on sale soon
Sept 26-Oct 8 East Coast Tour
Sept 26-27 Philadelphia, PA South GK w/ Brad Collins, Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), Stanley Cooper and Deren Blessman
Sept 28 Annapolis, MD Ramshead On Stage
Oct 2 Boca Raton, FL Funky Biscuit
Oct 3 Atlanta, GA Suite Lounge
Oct 4 Boston, MA Scullers
Oct 5 Durham, NC Vrroom VIP Jazz Fest.
Oct 6 Richmond, VA Tin Pan
Oct 19 Avalon, CA Jazztrax Catalina Festival **
Nov 30 San Diego, CA Adam Hawley Christmas Benefit with GK, Jackiem Joyner and others TBA
More dates coming….
**(shows with Rick Braun)
*(shows w/ Peter White)
---------------------2019/2018/2017 Past Dates--------------
March 2-3 Jakarta Java Jazz Festival w/ Peter White*
March 29-30 Dana Point, CA Ocean Institute Benefit w/ Deniece Williams, GK, Michael Paulo and Spencer Day
April 6 Temecula, CA Wilson Creek Winery GK and Michael Paulo
April 20 Anchorage, AK w/ Peter White*
May 18 Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini Gregg and Michael’s Birthday Show - GK and Michael Paulo- sold out
July 25 Laguna Beach, CA Festival of the Arts 5:30-7pm
Aug 17 St. Claire, MI (Detroit area, FREE)
Aug 19 Lake Tahoe, CA **Gregg guests with Rick Braun
2018
April 28 - Birmingham, AL The Perfect Note
May 3- Richmond, VA The Tin Pan
May 5 - Boston, MA Sculler’s
May 27 - Temecula Wine and Jazz Fest. (All-Star Show w/ Kalapana, Paul Brown, Michael Paulo and more)
May 31 - Atlant, GA Suite Lounge
June 2 - Newport Beach Jazz Fest. *
June 9 - Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini almost sold ou
June 16 - Las Vegas, NV *
June 23 - Honolulu, HI *
July 1 - San Diego Jazz Fest. *
August 2 - Laguna Beach, CA Festival of the Arts (GK and Michael Paulo)
August 6-8 Japan, Cotton Club *
August 12 Detroit ( Monroe), MI River Rasin Jazz Fest.
August 24-26 Oakland, CA Yoshi’s *
September 27-29 London, UK Pizza Express SOHO (GK shows making up for this Spring's cancellation) w/Shilts, Mark Jaimes, Andrew Small, Julian Crampton
September 30 Manchester, UK Cinnamon Club 7PM
(intimate solo show-songs and stories)
October 3 Madrid, Spain Sala Shoko w/Miki Ramon, Mark Jaimes, Andrew Small, Julian Crampton
October 27 Palm Desert , CA ALLSTAR Show w/ Melissa Manchester, GK, Paul Brown and Michael Paulo (w/ Land Richards, Fred Schreuders, Andrew Ford)
-------2017----------------------------
Oct 1 - Temecula, CA Thornton Winery (Gregg guests with Peter White and Marc Antoine)
Oct 7 - Norfolk, VA The Attucks TheaterGK w/ Darian Emory, Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), Stanley Cooper and Deren Blessman
Oct. 14 - San Diego, CA Jazz Diego with Paul Brown , Larry Carlton, Michael Paulo, Jessy j. and more
Oct 21 - Catalina Island, CA Jazztrax Festival (Gregg guests with Peter White and Marc Antoine)
Oct 25 - Richmond, VA The Tin Pan GK w/ Brad Collins, Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), Stanley Cooper and Deren Blessman
Oct 26 - Philadelphia, PA South GK w/ Brad Collins, Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), Stanley Cooper and Deren Blessman
Oct 27 - TBA
Oct 28 - Philadelphia, PA South GK w/ Brad Collins, Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), Stanley Cooper and Deren Blessman
Nov 18 - Palm Desert, CA The Westin w/ Deniece Williams and Michael Paulo
Jan 21 - at Spaghettini Seal Beach - with an all-star band
Feb 16 - Boston, MA at Scullers - with special guests
Mar 24 & 25- Dana Point, CA Ocean Institute jazz Festival w/ GK, Ray Parker Jr. Michael Paulo and Kevin Toney (Blackbyrds)
April 1 - Palm Desert, CA Peter White with Gregg Karukas and Michael Paulo
Grooves at the Westin Always a great time at the desert. Great outdoor venue.
April 15 - Las vegas, NV - Gregg Guests with Peter White | The Foundry
April 21 - Pittsburgh, PA Manchester Craftman's Guild - ALL-STAR show with GK, Peter White, Chuck Loeb and Vincent Ingala
May 6 - Albuquerque, NM - GK with Everette harp (note change)
May 13 - Seal Beach, CA - Spaghettini
May 27 - Honolulu, HI Peter White with Gregg Karukas and Michael Paulo
June 23 - Newport Beach, CA Gregg guests with Peter White at The Hyatt Newport
July 9 Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage
Aug 6 Thousand Oaks, CA Gardens of the World (Gregg guests with Jazz Harpist Lori Andrews and Ron Boustead)
Aug 31 - Atlanta, GA Suite Lounge
Sept 2 Pensacola, FL Gulf Coast Summer Jazz Fest.
Sept 22-24 - Oakland, CA Yoshi's (Gregg guests with Peter White)
GK on Tour
“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”
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
Gregg Karukas - Musical Director, Dave Koz and Friends at Sea 2011-2013
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
