Greg Spatz

Greg is known primarily for his deft and tasteful fiddle work with the all-star bluegrass outfit, John Reischman and the Jaybirds. His fiddling can be heard on all of the Jaybirds recordings, most recently the critically acclaimed “Stellar Jays.”
Greg’s bluegrass fiddle resume includes work with High Country, The Good Old Persons, Due West, Rob Ickes, Sally Van Meter, Mark Vann, Kathy Kallick, Frank Wakefield, and many others. Fiddler Magazine calls him a “world class fiddler” and Audiophile Audition says Greg is “One of the best and most underrated Bluegrass fiddlers in the business. His fluid bluesy virtuosic playing is flawlessly delivered time after time.”
ABOUT FIDDLER'S DREAM
“Fiddler’s Dream” collects into one volume music featuring the three groups in which Greg has had the privilege of working the past several years. In roughly equal portions: bluegrass fiddle originals and traditional fiddle tunes backed by John Reischman and the Jaybirds (with special guest Rob Ickes); twin-fiddle and Celtic-inflected vocal-bouzouki duets with his wife Caridwen Irvine-Spatz; and the eclectic old-time world-folk sound of Mighty Squirrel.
Greg has studied and played Irish music for many years now. Listeners will be delighted with the way he skillfully blends Celtic influences with a bluegrass attack to create his own, unique style of bouzouki accompaniment. Whether alone or with Mighty Squirrel, his bouzouki work is always the perfect complement to Caridwen Irvine-Spatz’s “expressive, flexible and utterly charming” voice (Audiophile Audition).
With three books of fiction to his credit (two novels and one short story collection) and over 20 short story publications (including a story in The New Yorker), Greg is widely known for his fiction writing. Here he also takes a turn at tune-writing with two original fiddle tunes, “Bash Bish Falls” and “Caridwen’s Waltz.” Other songs included on “Fiddler’s Dream” were chosen for their relevance to Greg’s critically acclaimed most recent novel, also entitled Fiddler’s Dream.
REVIEWS OF FIDDLER'S DREAM:
"Greg Spatz has titled this CD "Fiddler's Dream," but he could just as accurately have christened it "Listener's Dream." This northwest fiddle player has created an album that is oh-so pleasant to listen to--diverse, dreamy, dynamic, and utterly delightful. The four vocal tracks are sung by Spatz's wife, Caridwen, whose absolutely gorgeous and ethereal voice is perfect for the Celtic flavors that are intermingled with the twin-fiddle and hot-picking tunes. This is a joyful album full of strength and gentleness." -- Bluegrass Unlimited
"The styles are various, but the sound is cohesive and uniformly enjoyable.... Fiddler's Dream is exactly what a traditional recording ought to be in the early 21st century, a thing both of its time and of the times that created these styles and traditions in the first place. It's all accomplished with skill, taste and heart." --Rambles.net
"Greg Spatz is one of those musicians that fly under the radar of most people, if you aren’t paying attention. Immensely talented (impeccable technique, rock-solid rhythm, and a facile, bluesy sound) with a keen ear for spot-on performances, Greg is a fiddle-player’s fiddle player. 'Fiddler’s Dream' is a tasty treat for those looking for authentic and expressive Bluegrass and folk music. It’s so good that it will leave you wanting more." --Audiophile Audition
“Gorgeous material--timeless, otherworldly and uplifting. The fiddle playing is just spellbinding. However, the thing that really knocked me out is the bouzouki playing. Just a phenomenal example of what can be done with the instrument. Truly a one-of-a-kind disc.” -- Dave Higgs, Nashville Public Radio
"Greg Spatz is a man of many talents and musical styles. He is a master of fiddling styles that easily flow from fiery bluegrass bowing to gentle flowing waltzes with a Celtic flavor." -- Bluegrass BreakdownFree MySpace Layouts by Iron Spider