Gregg Karukas
Encyclopedia
Gregg Karukas is a smooth jazz
keyboardist
and pianist
, originally from the Washington, D.C.
-Maryland
area. He experimented with keyboards as a child, but it was not until his teens that he pursued music professionally. Gradually, he developed a melodic and soulful style of music that made him a mainstay on smooth jazz
and radio circuit.
Karukas is known to write music that evokes strong emotions. Two of his best-known singles, "Girl in the Red Dress" and "Nightshift", reflect a style familiar to his fans. Karukas has collaborated with Brazilian composer Dori Caymmi
and Ricardo Silveira on several projects. With eleven solo albums and many sessions and tours with prominent jazz artists, Gregg Karukas has established himself as one of the leading musicians of the format. He has a wife named Yvonne and two sons named Stevie and Alex who are musicians.
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
keyboardist
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, originally from the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
-Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
area. He experimented with keyboards as a child, but it was not until his teens that he pursued music professionally. Gradually, he developed a melodic and soulful style of music that made him a mainstay on smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
and radio circuit.
Karukas is known to write music that evokes strong emotions. Two of his best-known singles, "Girl in the Red Dress" and "Nightshift", reflect a style familiar to his fans. Karukas has collaborated with Brazilian composer Dori Caymmi
Dori Caymmi
Dorival Tostes Caymmi is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, songwriter, arranger, and producer who is a two-time Grammy Award winner .-Biography:...
and Ricardo Silveira on several projects. With eleven solo albums and many sessions and tours with prominent jazz artists, Gregg Karukas has established himself as one of the leading musicians of the format. He has a wife named Yvonne and two sons named Stevie and Alex who are musicians.
Discography
| titles | |years | labels | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Night Owl The Night Owl The Night Owl is Gregg Karukas' first album and is known as some of his finest work.- Track listing :#"Drive Time"#"Lady in my Heart"#"Walkin' with You"#"Alena"#"The Nightowl"#"Calypso Dance"#"Magic Cat"#"Talbot Street Cafe"#"C.I. to the Eye"... |
1987 | Optimism | |
| Key Witness | 1990, 1998 | Positive | |
| Sound of Emotion | 1992, 1998 | Positive | |
| Summerhouse | 1993, 1998 | Positive | |
| Home for the Holidays | 1993 | Fahrenheit | |
| You'll Know It's Me | 1995 | Fahrenheit | |
| Blue Touch | 1998 | i.e./Polygram | |
| Nightshift | 2000 | N2K | |
| Heatwave | 2002 | N-Coded/Warlock | |
| Gregg Karukas (Best of, Japanese Only) | 2004 | MK Music | |
| Looking Up | 2005 | Trippin 'N' Rhythm | |
| GK | 2009 | Trippin 'N' Rhythm |