At the young age of 11-years old, Greg Nance was mesmerized by the sound of Jimi Hendrix’ smoking guitar solos before his death in 1970 and began learning to play bass thereafter. Early on Motown Great, James Jamerson, Ron Carter, Larry Graham, Stanley Clark, Jaco Pastorius, Jack Bruce, Paul Chambers, Paul Jackson, Chuck Rainey and other notable bass players left indelible impressions on Nance. At 19 as a student at Oakland Community College, Nance helped form a band called "Mo-sez", The R&B, Top 40s band played college gigs and frat houses around the campus. Later he went to Wayne State University and received a B.A. in communications.
In 1986 Nance played bass in a R&B, Top 40s band called Sting, that played local clubs and cabarets. After a brief absence from the music scene to further his professional career in Information Technology, he returned in 1990 and started playing with Brian Alexander and was instrumental in helping him complete his CD Recording contract with MCA Records.
The following years saw Nance as a studio musician working with artists such as Carolyn Franklin, (Aretha Franklin's sister) and several other local talents. He also started writing original songs in 1997. In 2001 Nance was part of the World Beat Band "Zebula Avenue a.k.a. 47UMa" that participated with Hugh Masekela's band, during the Concert of Colors. From there he opened for various top name artists as Robert Bradley's Black Water Surprise, Ronnie Laws, The Isley Bros., L.L. Cool J, Slave, Cameo, Lakeside.
Nance is co-founder of Level Rizon (Formerly Ground Level) that has achieved local success and notoriety. The musical sounds of Level Rizon are a combination of Neo-Soul, Smooth Jazz, Fusion and Funk. In 2004, their premiere CD "That Vibe", was a solid smash; it was critically acclaimed by the Detroit Free Press and received radio air-play. Greg Nance also is involved in several side projects that include working with Detroit Blues Legend Lou Wilson. The Cameroon singer/folklorest "Moken" doing Nu-World and African music called "Razza" a blend of Jazz and traditional African sounds. Also John Reese of the "John Reese Project" as studio musician and with the World Beat band "Zebula Avenue", as Bass player and co-producer.
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