Grammy winning Producer, Composer, Keyboardist’s New CD Order SERENATA - autographed CD’s with Paypal or Venmo
New Soul/Jazz Brazilian Party shows w/ special guest Ricardo Silveira announced:
October 12- Blues Alley Washington, DC 7 & 9 pm shows
October 14 - Rehoboth Jazz Fest. (sold out)
October 28 - Spaghettini Seal Beach,CA,
November 5 -The Grape Ventura, CA
Serenata - Piano impressions of Milton Nacimento, Clube da Esquina and Dori Caymmi "With his first solo piano album, Grammy winner Gregg Karukas dazzles, n...
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
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)
“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
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
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.
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You can also order from Amazon, but no autograph.
