Artist Statement
I strive to celebrate creativity, freedom, diversity, originality, innovation, inclusion, joy and individualism in my music and my life. I became musically aware at a time when many genres of music were allowed to co-exist on the airwaves. I do not subscribe to the compartmentalization of music. I know that payola in the music business is pervasive and wrong. I believe that we each have contained within us all that we need, to be whoever, whatever and however we choose. Please choose wisely.I wish to thank Joel Bluestein for believing in me and for producing my first recording as a leader "Clarity, Circle, Triangle and Square"
View Michael Gregory's EPK
Personnel on tracks "If I only had a minute" - (version 2006) - Michael Gregory all vocals and instruments, Peter Firk additional keyboards, “Don’tUevergiveuponyourself†- Michael Gregory vocal, electric and acoustic guitars, David Sancious keyboards, keyboard bass, Jerry Marotta drums. “Open up for meâ€- Michael Gregory vocals, guitars, background vocals percussion and keyboards. "Spirit Killer" - Michael Gregory vocals, guitars, and programming (do not remember who drummer and bass player were, sorry...) "Shadows of Flames" - Michael Gregory vocals, guitars, background vocals percussion and keyboards "Miles OG" - Michael Gregory all instruments.Biography
Born Michael Gregory Jackson in New Haven, Connecticut, Michael began to play guitar at the age of seven. In his teens he often performed his own material during solo gigs and band appearances. Among Michaels early influences were Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Son House, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell and Igor Stravinsky. His father exposed him to Wes Montgomery, Mahalia Jackson, Les Paul, Mary Ford, and early George Benson, and Michael's musical destiny began to take shape. Progressive improvised music composer and trumpeter, Wadada Leo Smith, influenced Gregory to look beyond the boundaries of rock, folk and mainstream jazz, and soon Michael was playing avant-garde music with Smith and such other notables as pianist Anthony Davis, saxophonists Julius Hemphill, David Murray and Oliver Lake. During this period, Gregory notes, "I learned that it was ok to try different things, to experiment. If I had a song that was going one way, it was all right to make it go in another direction or to add diverse elements. I've allowed myself to be free creatively and stylistically." Gregory produced a series of stand out creative music recordings, including "Clarity, Circle, Triangle, Square", "Karmonic Suite", "Gifts" and "Heart and Center". Rolling Stone magazine raved, "By the time (Gregory) was twenty-one he was already one of the most original jazz guitarists to emerge since the sixties." Michael's unique style and innovations have changed the face of jazz guitar and influenced many other very well known guitarists and musicians in many genres of music. As had David Bowie and others before him, Michael changed his name in 1982, to Michael Gregory, to avoid confusion with another artist who shared his name. It was during this period that Michael's career began to take off. Living in New York, he soon became known as a world class guitarist who could transcend musical genres with ease, who could also sing, write songs and produce recordings.Gregory worked with Mick Jagger, Steve Winwood, Walter Becker, Nona Hendryx, and signed with Island Records and recorded his first pop/rock album "Situation X" with master-producer and Chic guitarist, Nile Rogers and bassist Bernard Edwards. Singer and Grammy winner Al Jarreau, quickly picked up and recorded one of Michael's songs from the album, "No Ordinary Romance" for his "L is for Lover" (Warner Brothers Records). Gregory went on to record and produce more crisp, pop recordings, including "What To Where" (BMG/RCA Records), "RED" (GOLDEN Records) and "Towards the Sun" (GOLDEN Records), however all of his music remains firmly rooted in progressive creative sensibilities and a fertile stylistic amalgam.Michael is a vibrant, politically involved, communally and spiritually active artist. He initiates and participates in many events, to benefit food pantries, the homeless, health care reform, victims of natural disasters, animal rights and conservation, ocean conservation, ongoing programs to aid inner-city youth and various other charitable efforts. Michael is spreading the word about the peak oil situation and the need to develop alternative energy resources. He has aligned with grass roots activism efforts that push for political changes in the U.S.A. and globally. Supporting organizations with goals of ending poverty, promoting energy conservation, supporting organic farming, fighting AIDS, Cancer and other diseases, racial and socioeconomic equality, pushing for community and economic development, stopping global warming and the movement towards alternative and renewable sources of energy.Michael is deeply involved with the sport of tennis, as a player, instructor and supporter. He works with The Dance of Tennis, (danceoftennis.com) founded by Dr. Jena Marcovicci, a not for profit tennis program which encompasses, Yoga, Tai-chi, music and visualization. The Dance of Tennis also contains exercises, lessons and messages that offer alternative methods to deal with competition, emotions, self esteem and problem solving. The Dance of Tennis program targets elementary school aged inner-city youths and is presented annually in Los Angeles, CA., Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, Washington D.C. and Miami, Fla.Michael has toured extensively throughout the U.S.A., Europe, Canada and Japan. Michael continues to amaze audiences with his exceptional talents. Michael is a riveting performer, innovative and cutting edge, a masterful guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is currently composing, writing, producing, teaching, collaborating and touring (solo and with various ensembles).Performed and/or Recorded WithJulius Hemphill, Mick Jagger, Oliver Lake, Will Calhoun, David Murray, Pheeroan aKLaff, Bernard Edwards, Jabali Billy Hart, Buster Williams, Wadada Leo Smith, Steve Winwood, Walter Becker, Kenwood Dennard, Anthony Davis, Jack Dejohnette, Anton Fig, Melle Mel, Omar Hakim, Jerome Harris, Eddie Henderson, David Sancious, Ntozake Shange, Louis Rozier, Marcus Miller, Willie Croes, Olu Dara, Jimmy Giuffre, Kresten Osgood, Elisa Rego, Rasadon, Nile Rodgers, Raymond Jones, Gene Calvin Weston, Archie Shepp, John Tchichai, Jerry Marotta, Mark Helias, Jay Hoggard, Lee Konitz, Rodney Holmes, Jimmy Bralower, Nona Hendryx, Kevin Jones, Jessica Hagedorn, Ed Blackwell, Steve Thorton, Anthony Jackson, Gary Bartz, Tony Thompson, Sammy Figueroa, Kermit Driscoll, Ole Romer, Bernard Davis, Marty Ehrlich, Karl Berger, Ingrid Berger, Henry Threadgill, Baikida Carroll, Victor Lewis, Carlos Santana, Thulani Davis, Jeff Bova, Vernon Reid, Anthony Braxton and many others. Member of: A.S.C.A.P., American Composers Forum, U.S.T.A., Moveon.ORG, Democrats.com, Save Darfur Coalition, Democracy for America, Defenders of Wildlife, ONE.ORG, Product RED, MomsRising.org, I.R.C., League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen.org (http://action.citizen.org)True Majority (http://www.truemajority.org/oreos), Sierra Club, Amnesty International BUY"TOWARDS THE SUN" http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gregoryBUY "TOWARDS THE SUN" at the iTunes storeBUY "RED" by Michael Gregory and "CLARITY CIRCLE, TRIANGLE AND SQUARE" by Michael Gregory Jackson at the iTunes storeCheck out some MG guitar tracks at
http://www.myspace.com/zhoskymusicSelected DiscographyAs Leader
"Clarity, Circle Triangle, Square",
"Karmonic Suite",
Heart and Center, Artist and Producer
"Gifts", Artist and Producer
"Cowboys, Cartoons & Assorted Candy", Artist and Producer
"Wild Flower Loft Jazz Sessions"'
"Situation-X",
"What to Where", Artist and Producer,
"The Way We Used To Do", Artist and Producer
"RED", Artist and Producer
"Towards The Sun", Artist and ProducerWith Oliver Lake,
Michael plays Guitars, Vocals, Harmonica, Percussion and Flutes.
"Shine",
"Life Dance Of Is",
"Holding Together",
"Zaki", (re-issued 2007 on Hat Hut Records, www.hathut.com)
"Wild Flower Loft Jazz Sessions"
Selected Projects
With Anthony Braxton, "Wild Flower Loft Jazz Sessions" Guitar, Electric MandolinWith Nona Hendryx, "The Heat" Guitar SolosWith Pheeroan aKlaff, "Fits Like A Glove" Producer, Vocalist, Guitar Soloswith Amina Claudine Myers, "Amina" ProducerWith The Equalites, "Choice Of Worlds" Producer, Vocalist, Guitar Solos, KeyboardsWith Clyde Criner, "Behind The Sun" Producer, PercussionWith The Coyote Sisters, "Women And Other Visions" GuitarsWith Louis Guarino Jr. "Spiritual Awakenings" Producer, www.enchantedvibrations.netWith Viva Monroe "Rock' N' Roll Party" Producer, Guitar With Leah Randazzo "At The Root" Producer, PercussionWith Seth Glier "Sojourn" Producer, Guitar, PercussionWith Pulitzer Prize winner poet Paul Muldoon's band RACKETT "Resistance" ProducerWith Stephen Allen "Sixteen Elephants: Music to Poems by Paul Muldoon" Guitar SolosWith Louis Guarino Jr. "Images Of Movements Thru Time And Space" electric, acoustic and synthesizer guitars, synthesizer bass, vocal, www.enchantedvibrations.net
