Greg Skaff Trio
Greg Skaff-guitar,
Pat Bianchi-Organ,
Ralph Peterson-Drums
Tuesday, March 1, 9:30-11:30PM
Miles' Café, 212 East 52nd St, 3rd Floor
Greg Skaff is a NYC-based jazz guitarist and composer whose skills and reputation place him among the premier practitioners of his craft. After moving to New York in the early 1980s, Skaff’s first professional gig was with the legendary Stanley Turrentine. The sax master was so impressed with Skaff’s playing that he kept the young guitarist in his employ for the next five years.
Following his tenure with Turrentine, Skaff has gone on to make his mark as a bandleader (with three critically-acclaimed CDs) and as a sideman. The list of luminaries who have tapped Skaff for his fretwork includes Bobby Watson, Ruth Brown, Freddie Hubbard, David “Fathead” Newman, Kevin Mahogany, Matt Wilson and many others.
With his new CD release “East Harlem Skyline,” Greg Skaff reaches new heights as a guitarist and composer in what the New Jersey Star-Ledger calls “a vibrant view of the modern day jazz guitar-organ-drums trio.”
Skaff, a native of Wichita, Kansas, picked up the guitar at age 16. He was captivated by touring jazz greats such as Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Jack McDuff, prompting the guitarist to get closer to the action and move to the capital of the jazz world – NYC. To quickly find work with Turrentine – who had previously worked with guitar giants George Benson, Kenny Burrell and Grant Green – speaks loudly about Skaff’s acumen.
Not only was Turrentine’s bluesy soul-jazz sound an ideal fit for Skaff’s own style, the experience of touring the U.S., Europe, Japan, South America and South Africa with one of the biggest names in jazz only boosted Skaff’s savvy as an artist and performer.
A decade long association with another saxophone master – alto and soprano man Bobby Watson – has showcased Skaff’s breadth as a guitarist. “Greg is the most versatile and imaginative guitarist I’ve ever worked with,” says Watson. On the road and on three Watson CDs, Skaff has reveled in the saxophonist’s embracement of interplay and improvisation.
As a bandleader, Greg Skaff’s creativity, passionate touch, and impressive technique have seized the attention of discriminating listeners at leading Manhattan jazz clubs and at concert venues worldwide. His third CD release, “East Harlem Skyline” (Zoho / 2009), includes guest spots by heavy hitters Darryl Jones on bass (Rolling Stones, Sting) and Charley Drayton on drums (Herbie Hancock, Iggy Pop).
Greg’s outstanding working group includes George Colligan (Hammond organ) and E.J. Strickland (drums), and they are featured prominently throughout the new CD. “East Harlem Skyline” covers a wide range of styles and moods, and includes compositions by the likes of Billy Strayhorn and even Fiona Apple. The six Skaff originals go from contemplative to burning. “I’ve got things in me that must find expression through music,” says Skaff, “and ultimately I feel that my songs are the best showcase for my playing.”
Complete on http://www.gregskaff.com/
http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/
Greg Skaff plays Jack McDuff's "Another Real Good'un" at the Artists Quarter in St Paul with "Downtown" Bill Brown on Hammond b3 organ and Kenny Horst on drums. 1/25/08
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