Home » Jazz Musicians » Greg Carroll

Greg Carroll

GREG CARROLL is a seasoned arts executive, performer, and educator. He currently serves as the Director of Development with Youth Symphony of Kansas City and founded and operates Midnight Blue Jazz, LLC – A global jazz & executive consultancy providing creative, scholarly, and strategic services to the non-profit, education, and corporate communities. 

Mr. Carroll recently completed an 8-year appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri where he successfully led fund development efforts generating more than $18M through municipal contract negotiations, corporate and foundation sponsorships, contributions and earned revenues. Under his leadership, the Museum has become a viable destination attraction for the City of Kansas City and has garnered numerous awards and recognitions of distinction including its Blue Room Jazz Club being named as one of the world’s top 100 jazz venues by Downbeat Magazine and its Jazz and Blues Festival being selected as Kansas City’s Visitor’s Choice for Best Music Festival by the Convention and Visitors Association. 

Gregory A. Carroll came to the American Jazz Museum after a successful 10-year appointment as Director of Education with the International Association for Jazz Education where he was responsible for directing its education and outreach programs globally. 

Prior to that appointment, Mr. Carroll served as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado. Past honors include listing among the 100 Most Influential African Americans in Kansas City; the Presser Scholar for the University of Northern Colorado School of Music; and Colorado Jazz Educator of the Year. 

His high school and college groups have earned a total of seven DownBeat Student Music Awards for best and outstanding performances in the jazz category. 

As a highly active performing artist, recording artist, education consultant, and clinician, Mr. Carroll can be heard on twenty-one recording projects with the likes of Everett Devan, Angela Hagenbach, Hugh Ragin Collective, Midnight Blue Jazz Quartet, Leslie Drayton, Marc Sabatella, Peter Barbieri, Cat’s Night Out, The James Ward Band, University of Colorado, Greeley Central High School, University of Northern Colorado, and Denver Public Schools. 

Selected performances as accompanying musician with celebrated jazz artists including, Clark Terry, George Benson, Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Nelson Rangell, Chico Freeman, Bobby Shew, Phil Wilson, Don Menza, Diana Reeves, Louie Bellson, Gary Foster, Rob McConnell, Kenny Werner, Kenny Barron, Dr. Billy Taylor, Richie Cole, Red Holloway, Bobby Watson, Steve Houghton, Shelly Berg, John Blake, Stéphane Grappelli, Frank Potenza, Connaitre Miller, Orbert Davis, Horace Young, Dana Landry, Eric Applegate, Reggie Thomas, Willie Hill, Ron McCurdy, Steve Houghton, and others. 

Read more

Tags

8
Album Review

Arthur White and Merge: When You Find It

Read "When You Find It" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Turnabout, the saying goes, is fair play. The turnabout in this case is that of saxophonist Arthur White who, after years of teaching others the precepts of jazz at the University of Missouri, Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and, most recently, as director of Jazz Studies at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA, decided the time had come to turn the tables, so to speak, and put himself “on record" as someone who can not only talk the talk ...

17
Album Review

Arthur White and MERGE: When You Find It

Read "When You Find It" reviewed by Jim Worsley


The spirited yet soft and melodious title track, “When You Find It," creates an early atmospheric vibe that sets the tone for what is to follow. Arthur White wastes no time in establishing his saxophone dynamics, while leaving pianist Ken Kenner a lot of room for a creative run against the understated and nourishing rhythm section of bassist Sam Copeland and drummer John Kizilarmut]]. Guitarist {{m: Mark Tonelli seamlessly negotiates their gradual build before White wraps a bow at the ...

Read more articles
Kansas City Area Youth Jazz
band / ensemble / orchestra

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

ORIGINALS

ARC - Artists Recording Collective
2024

buy

When You Find It

ARC - Artists Recording Collective
2020

buy

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.