Chris Greco

Endorsing artist: Selmer Paris saxophones, Gonzalez reeds, Silverstein Works Pro Team

Award-winning composer and performer Chris Greco has followed a path in music of discovery and accumulation. He has composed and performed a broad and diverse range of jazz music, classical chamber, and concert hall music. He draws from the music traditions of the past and the present within the worlds of jazz, non-western music, twentieth century music, American popular music, and the classical repertoire.

As a composer and multi-instrumentalist Greco's development was shaped in Los Angeles. Guided by a broad approach and a searching curiosity, Greco explored a variety of jazz styles, groups, and changing instrumental formats; duo, trio, quartet, quintet, sextet, and large ensembles. He was a significant contributor to the mainstream, modern/post-modern, and mixed-genre jazz culture of Los Angeles in the 80’s and 90’s. The three recording projects on gwsfourwinds records from the 90’s represent his broad view, and the multi-stylistic directions he explored with jazz-based music.

Recognition for his work includes: International Song Competition 2017 Semi-Finalist Jazz Composition “Rains and Prayers,” International Song Competition 2014 Finalist / Honorable Mention Jazz Composition “The Open Door,” ASCAPlus Awards 2002-2013 concert music and popular music, Trane Of Thought 2013 CD - CMJ Top 50 Jazz Albums 2013, Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2013 Finalist Jazz Composition “Oliver,” International Song Competition 2013 Semi-Finalist Jazz Composition “Oliver,” Hollywood Music in Media Award “Best Jazz” Award 2012 “Maia,” International Song Competition 2012 Semi-Finalist Jazz Composition “Messages,” Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2011 Finalist Jazz Composition “Merope.”

Tags

Album Reviews

Trane Of Thought by Dan Bilawsky

Profiles

A Casual Stroll Down The Free Jazz / Avant Garde Avenue

Album Reviews

Pleiadian Call by Rex Butters
Pleiadian Call by AAJ Staff
Pleiadian Call by Dan McClenaghan

Chris Greco-Standards, Vol. 1: “This one is definitely a winner for jazz lovers. A totally excellent jazz listen with some of the highest energy I've heard in 2014! A MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.” Improvijazzation Nation Issue 148, 10/20/2014.

“Standards, Vol. 1, y'all, is the sort of crazy, too hip, freaky, whoa- listen-to- THAT, jazz-plus material that got me so hip to Dave Liebman, Paul Motian, and other world class hipsters back when I was discovering not only ECM but also Brubeck, Miles, Weather Report, and all the rest of the cats who still have my brain jangled....Greco interprets classic jazz numbers in a way that makes you think he wrote 'em, and he grabs straight-ahead by the throat, jumps on its back and makes it dance, which is EXACTLY what ears like mine are forever athirst for.” FAME Review, Mark S

Chris Greco-Standards, Vol. 1: “This one is definitely a winner for jazz lovers. A totally excellent jazz listen with some of the highest energy I've heard in 2014! A MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.” Improvijazzation Nation Issue 148, 10/20/2014.

“Edgy with an Avant Garde Feel” 4/5 Stars
”Chris Greco's phrasing on saxophone, flute, and clarinet gives his new Standards, Vol. 1 an edgy avant garde feel. Solid is a potpourri of possible influences from post-bop to R&B/soul, juxtaposing musical genres. The free style flutter of his flute through Well You Needn't and You Don't Know What Love Is produces an attractive cyclone effect while Bye-Ya has him switching to the animated lines of his saxophone. Greco's sense of exploration puts spurts of kinetically charged improvisations into the compositions.” Standards, Vol. 1, 4/5 Stars, S. Frances, 7/25/2014

Chris Greco, Standards, Vol. 1: “The second volume of a trilogy, Greco and his pals took a wide open approach to standards and delightfully turned them all on their heads in a way that still sounds fresh today. If you're really up for a great sonic journey that takes the familiar and opens it up as wide as it will go to make something new, this is a trip to take. Well done throughout.”   Midwest Record - Entertainment Reviews, News, Views 7/22/2014

“Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Chris Greco has an exciting new album available. Standards, Vol. 1, offers a number of appetizing goodies that no jazz connoisseur will want to miss. Know for groundbreaking compositions, Greco gives his incredible take on “In Your Own Sweet Way,” “Mood Indigo,” “Solid” (this one is scorching!), “Yes and No” and five others. Approaching each piece as if it was his own, Greco certainly has the right stuff that fans can’t get enough of.” Esther Callens, The Birmingham Times, Musical Notes, 9/11/2014

“It's a great collection of standards, but with some new and interesting arrangements. I like the fact that while the improvising is top-notch, the integrity of each piece is maintained. Thanks for sending this one!” Standards Vol.1- Tom Macek, 88.9 FM WRRG - Illinois, 8/25/2014

“The album Standards, Vol. 1, one of the ventures of the amazingly talented Chris Greco, is a gem and a collectors item!” Standards Vol.1- Max Babi, jazzreview.com

Trane Of Thought: “Greco is certainly a virtuoso that is not afraid to occasionally break the mold and he shows that his skills and interests make him perfectly suited for stretching the jazz fabric in all the right places. The group stays within the mainstream language enough for even the hardest boppers to follow, all the while mixing things up with modern rhythms and harmonic and melodic colors. The result is an album that blazes its own unique path, while still acknowledging the past and spotlighting music for a new generation.” Trane Of Thought - H. Allen Williams, JazzTimes 9/21/13

Trane Of Thought: “Greco is a multitalented performer and composer and all around musician. For this recording he has gathered a quartet and the sound that results is nearly unclassifiable - modern jazz...and then some. All of Greco's compositions have a singular ring to them - the music is inventive, always changing like looking into a kaleidoscope, and the result is a full album of terrifically original works. Star Quality! 5 of 5 Stars.” Trane Of Thought - G. Harp, Hall of Fame Reviewer Amazon 3/21/2013.

Chris Greco Quartet/Trane Of Thought: “One of those cats that’s been woodshedding long enough is now taking it to the streets in fine style. Paying tribute to Coltrane, but not doing a tribute album, this is a set of this sax player’s originals that’s as influenced by stargazing as it is by Coltrane. Tending toward the commercial side of free jazz, you can see hipsters letting this surge through their IPods proudly as too much dissonance would interfere with their caffeine buzz anyway. Tasty stuff for left leaning ears open to some new directions.” Midwest Records Entertainment Reviews, News and Views, 3/23/2013.

“Trane of Thought is highly original and thought-provoking; Greco switches between the various woodwind instruments with consummate ease and delivers nothing short of impeccable performances on each.” Trane of Thought - W. Gillespie, euroclubdejazz.com

“A wealth of compelling jazz sounds from the luxuriant to the exhilarating.” Trane of Thought - Zan Stewart, LA Times

“This newly conceived music with strong traditional roots is highly recommended.” Trane of Thought - D. Ansell, Jazz Journal International, U.K.

“The experience of the CD is one of listening to ancient sounds of wordlesstruth.” Pleiadian Call/Music for Trio- D. McClenaghan, allaboutjazz.com

“Greco plays with amazing fluidity and elan, several instruments, and in his compositions he has the superb ability to paint soundscapes.” Pleiadian Call/Music for Trio- Max Babi, allaboutjazz.com (featured article)

“A remarkable collection of original compositions from Chris Greco.” Pleiadian Call/Music for Trio-L. Prosser, jazzreview.com

“Everything is perfect here. What I enjoyed the most about this brilliant CD is the perfect balance of rules, the many and carefully written passages, and the sheer improvisation.” Pleiadian Call/Music for Trio- Domi Truffandier, Paris, France

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Primary Instrument

Woodwind

Location

Kansas City

Credentials/Background

D.M.A., Performance (UCLA)
M.A., Music Composition
B.A., Music

Contact by email for availability and rates.

Christopher J. Greco, DMA
Professor of Music
Benedictine College
1020 N. Second Street
Atchison, KS 66002
Office (913) 360-7599
E-mail: cgreco@benedictine.edu

Music theory, coordinator
Music composition, coordinator
Orchestration
Counterpoint
Seminar in Composition
Studio Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone)
Chamber music
History of Jazz (summer online)