“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

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“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. Tucker, 8/15/2014.

“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

Credentials/Background

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

Christopher J. Greco, DMA
Associate 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)

Clinic/Workshop Information

Read more

Primary Instrument

Woodwind

Credentials/Background

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

Christopher J. Greco, DMA
Associate 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)

Clinic/Workshop Information

Topics
Performance
Composition
Improvisation
Ensemble
Jazz History

Show less