...is a composer - pianist living in Boulder, Colorado. His songs are simple and melodic, reflecting a variety of influences that include the piano sonatas of Beethoven and the piano works of Keith Jarrett.
Writing for piano since the age of thirteen, Greg's musical journey has taken him down many roads. "From 60's rock 'n' roll I learned how to improvise," Greg explains. "Many nights playing clubs throughout the US and Canada, playing five or six hours a night, six nights a week, playing the same songs every night, soon you start to experiment with the music, to improvise."
Another positive influence the 60's had on him was in the quality of songwriting. "In the 60's, you had artist like the Beatles and the Byrds,who would put out full albums of new, original music every six months," Greg says. "Always something new, always some growth as an artist. The level of creative output was far better than what it is now. Now a major artist might put out a new release once every three years, and the music is totally formulaic."
Beethoven was another early influence on Greg's music. "Beethoven virtually invented the hook," ventures Greg. "His music also had a dark quality. You can feel the pain and the angst of his life through his music."
Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1954, Greg grew up in the bucolic settings of rural Western Washington state. The atmospheres and scenes from this environment still are prominent in his writing today.
In 1971, Greg attended The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington, studying music. It was there that he met, and formed a strong relationship with the late Norman Durkee.
More recently, he has applied his tasteful and understated style to the Hammond Organ as a fundamental part of the The Joads Rhythm Section. His playing can also be heard on their latest offering Judgment of The Flame.
Currently Greg is playing the coffeehouses of Southern California and writing material for the follow-up album to Zutique. He is also completing work on a soundtrack for a full-length documentary film about Xela-Aid, the non-denominational organization that provides medical care and humanitarian aid to Guatemala.