Jazz
Gregg Karukas - Graphic Design, Piano, Wurlitzer, Drums, Synthesizer, Engineer, Percussion, Mixing, Arranger, Organ, Producer, Bass
Eric Baines - Bass
Jessy J - Saxophone
Ken Weil Photography
Lee Thornberg Trumpet
Luis Conte Percussion
Melvin Davis Bass
Michael O'Neill Guitar
Michael Paulo Saxophone, Flute
Oscar Seaton Drums
Paul Rayner Brown Guitar
Ricardo Silveira Guitar
Richard Aaron Photography
Rick Braun Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Rick Rossi Sax (Tenor), Flute
Ron Boustead Mastering
Russ Freeman Guitar
Gregg Karukas
Active Decades: '90s and '00s
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Christmas, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Fusion, Holiday, Instrumental Pop, Smooth Jazz
A talented keyboardist who has mostly worked in the commercial side of jazz, Gregg Karukas has the potential for stardom. Although he noodled on the piano from age six, he did not start studying music seriously until he was a teenager. Karukas often played organ in r&b bands early on and at 17 he began a five year stint with Tim Eyermann's East Coast Offering. After a period working as a studio musician in D.C., he moved to Los Angeles in 1983 where he became a major part of the pop jazz scene, playing with (among others) Richard Elliot, Grant Geissman, Ronnie Laws and David Benoit. Karukas worked for a year-and-a-half with Melissa Manchester, had a band that featured the young saxophonist Dave Koz and in the mid-1980's he became an original member of the Rippingtons. In addition to his crossover work, Karukas has gained extensive experience playing Brazilian music including with Ricardo Silveira, Sergio Mendes and Dori Caymmi, worked as a freelance producer, been a sideman on albums by Boney James, Peter White and Craig Chaquico, worked as a studio musician and written songs for a variety of r&b/pop artists. As a leader, Gregg Karukas has recorded for Nightowl (1987), Positive Music, Fahrenheit, I.E. Music and N-Coded Music (2000).
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
