GREGG KARUKAS
Keyboards
Gregg Karukas hails originally from the D.C. – Maryland area. In his quest for jazz knowledge, the young musician who had natural ability and a good ear turned to the recordings of Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal, Les McCann, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and the master jazz pianist Bill Evans.
At age 22, Gregg formed “Natural Bridge” and they opened shows for artists such as Angela Bofil, Larry Carlton or Jeff Lorber. In 1983, he moved to Los Angeles and played with almost everybody: Sergio Mendes, The Rippingtons (he was a founding member), George Benson, Peter White, Kim Waters, Rick Braun, Patti Austin and more. Gregg’s early L.A. bands and CD’s included young undiscovered sax talents like Dave Koz and Boney James. Beginning with his first independent recording, “The Nightowl”, in 1987, Gregg’s commercial success perfectly parallels that of the smooth jazz genre as a whole. Since then, he has released 11 CDs. Gregg’s dynamic and inspiring live performances showcase his funky, melodic compositional style familiar to his fans.
Gregg is Musical Director for the “Dave Koz and Friends Cruise” and has been nominated for Best Keyboardist at the Oasis and National Smooth Jazz Awards several times. In 2013 he was awarded a Grammy Award as a producer, arranger and co-writer for “Echoes of Love” by Omar Akram.
Listen to Gregg Karukas on YouTube.de: