Chako page * of **

acqlea@r.postjobfree.com http://www.gregchako.com 585-***-**** Greg Chako

Education

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Jazz and Contemporary Media Focus in Jazz Arranging and Ethnomusicology - The Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY Expected 2015 Master of Music (MM)

Major in Jazz Studies and Arranging - William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ May 2011 Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Interdisciplinary Studies: Music Business and Performance - Empire State College (SUNY), NY March 2009 Educational Highlights

The Eastman School of Music

Lectures

Arranging Topics for Solo Jazz Guitar: How to Write for the Guitar Instead of Just Playing What You Know – Published a professional solo CD recording titled, My World On Six Strings, and created an innovative pedagogical DMA Lecture-Recital based on it that merges jazz and classical techniques. Designed for all musicians, it was nominated for best DMA lecture of the year. For a Jazz History class: Lester Young: The “Prez” – A stylistic analysis contrasted with Coleman Hawkins’; included transcriptions, video excerpts, and introduction to his broad musical and social influence; and, Guitarist Charlie Christian – History; Innovations; Solo analysis focused on metric displacement; and, Solo Guitar Innovators – Historical overview of guitar solos and solo-guitar performances; key figures, techniques, and references to the DMA Lecture-Recital described above were discussed. Research

A Study of Bhajan Ensembles at Spiritual Programs of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi - Initiated a bold independent-study course and garnered support from the authorities of The Eastman School of Music to research the history of the Indian “bhakti” movement and write an in-depth ethnographic field report about the bhajans

(Indian devotional music) of Sri Devi Mata Amritanandamayi, a world-famous saint and humanitarian who is leader of a “modern-day” bhakti movement; Involved intensive on-site fieldwork in Kerala, South India, and NYC. FOCUS: The Role of Music as Ritual on the St. John Fisher Tennis Team – “Mini-ethnography” investigating the use of music as a performance enhancer on the St. John Fisher Tennis Team in Rochester, New York; Included fieldwork and interviews with the coach and team members; for an Intro to Ethnomusicology research seminar. Indian Influence in the Ring’s Happy Ending - An enquiry into composer Richard Wagner’s philosophical and spiritual maturing and its impact on his masterpiece, Der Ring des Nibelungen; Posits that the heroine Brunhilde and the opera’s last scene of devastation points to an optimistic future; for a research seminar on Wagner’s Ring. Performances

1st DMA recital: Alternated solo, duo, trio and quartet formats, featuring a repertoire of original compositions and arrangements.

2nd DMA recital: Lecture-recital (referenced above) featuring a live solo guitar performance of two original arrangements from the CD release, My World on Six Strings. Chako page 2 of 10

Eastman Educational Highlights Continued

Performances . . .

3rd DMA recital: Original guitar arrangements in solo and duet formats, original compositions (and vocal lyrics) for sextet and septet, and original songs/arrangements for a 17-piece jazz ensemble. Coursework

Arts Leadership Program: Intro to Music Therapy; Gift and Grant Seeking; Problem Solving in the Arts; Website Construction.

Ethnomusicology: Intro to Ethnomusicology; Asian Classical Music’s; World Music ensembles in Indian Drumming and African Mbira.

William Paterson University

Lectures

The Heart and Soul of Jazz: Culture and Spiritual Quest - An overview of the vital inspirational threads linking the music of John Coltrane, John McLaughlin, and Horace Silver - A first-of-its-kind, due to its subject matter, Masters Lecture-Recital exploring the influence of culture and spirituality in the lives and music of three world- renowned jazz musicians and myself.

For a Pedagogy of Jazz class: What Every Big Band Director Should Know About the Big Band Era - The development of big-band writing summarized by highlighting the innovations, influence and success of Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Audio-video examples from YouTube are utilized; and, Tools for Jazz Improvisation - A Guide for All Musicians Wishing to Play Jazz - Advanced level pedagogy involving theory and singing and playing ii-V-I licks memorized in all keys. For a Topics in Jazz History class: Horace Silver - A historical presentation of the genius of Horace Silver. Research

Horace Silver: A New Definition of Greatness - Comprehensive studies of the pianist, composer, bandleader and businessman; explores his innovations and influence, positing that he was marginalized by the media; a final paper for a Research Techniques course.

Performances

Master Degree final recital: Recruited a mix of students and professional Brazilian players to form a unique septet with two vocalists and horns; presented all-original compositions, arrangements, and song lyrics. Dialogue Days: Brainstormed, acquired departmental permission to create, and sourced personnel for a student ensemble that played exclusively original (Chako) compositions; A first for the school; received high praise from Mulgrew Miller, the ensemble coach and the jazz department head; Original songs and arrangements in ensembles coached by drummer Horacee Arnold and guitarist Paul Meyers. Midday Recital Series at Shea Auditorium: Performed publicly once with the schools top ensemble, a jazz quintet coached by saxophonist Vincent Herring, and again in an ensemble coached by Bill Mobley that featured original

(Chako) songs and arrangements for three horns and vibraphone. Coursework

Jazz Pedagogy: with Dr. David Demsey, and The Music Business: with Professor Stephen Marcone. Empire State College (SUNY)

Coursework

Advanced Independent Studies: Entrepreneurship; Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace; Staffing; Management/Finance; Sales and Promotion; Recording and Promotion for the Recording Musician; Mind, Science and Health; Teaching English as a Second Language to Adult Learners; Eastern Culture and Philosophy. GPA: 3.92 Chako page 3 of 10

Additional Education and Training

Certificate in Professional Music

Focus in Performance – Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA 1979 College Coursework

Friends World College, Long Island, NY 1975

Additional Training and Study

Direct Care Professional – Passaic and Bergen Counties, NJ 2010 - 2011 Additional Education and Training Highlights

Certificate in Professional Music

Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA - Completed 56 credit hours of courses in theory, arranging, ear training, performance, and the music business; made the Dean’s List; awarded a two-year Certificate in Professional Music. College Coursework

Friends World College and the Guitar Workshop, Roslyn, NY - Completed one year’s worth of college credit in a summer program of classical and jazz guitar, ear training, theory, and music appreciation; transcript awarded. Additional Training and Study

Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey - Successfully completed State Certified Training Classes: Preventing Abuse and Neglect; Medication; Overview of Developmental Disabilities; and American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR. Certificate of Attendance to the 2011 Agency Conference: Changing the Lenses to Self-Empowerment. Completed - Integrated Meditation Technique (IAM technique): Japan, 2008 and Kerala, South India, 2014; Residential Facilitator Training in the Hoffman Quadrinity Process: Melbourne, Australia, 1998; 300 Jungian Private Psychotherapy Sessions: Brooklyn, New York and Singapore, 1994-98; 150 Yoga and Meditation classes: Singapore, 1996-98; Dr. Deepak Chopra`s Weekend Meditation Course: Singapore, 1997; 100 Private lessons in Chinese Yang- Style Tai-Chi and Shaolin Pole from Raymond Chiu: Hong Kong, 1993-94; Yuji Oishi Japanese Oki Yoga classes: Brooklyn, New York, 1992-94; Anthony Robbins Neuro-Linguistic Programming course: New York City 1992-94; Certified PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Scuba Diver courses: Singapore, 1998. Study - Ten years extensive self-study focusing on Psychology, Counseling, Addictive Behavior, Philosophy, and the relationship of culture and music to overall physical and mental health. Chako page 4 of 10

Teaching Experience

Music Instructor

USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan 1973 - Present Clinician

USA, Singapore, Japan 1983 - Present

English Teacher

Japan 2003-2009

Teaching Highlights

Music Instructor

The Eastman School of Music – Employed by the University of Rochester 2012-2014 as a teaching assistant assigned to student jazz combos at The Eastman School of Music. Musika Lessons.com – Taught privately in homes or by Skype for an online student referral company 2013-present. The Guitar Workshop, Roslyn, New York - Taught guitar; Assisted with promotion and booking for a concert series the school hosted at a well-known live music venue called My Father’s Place, 1979-1980. Howard Early Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio – Studio lessons using the Mel Bay and Alfred Methods, 1974-1976. Chako Productions, Singapore, USA - Taught jazz improvisation, theory, and harmony to adults and classically trained musicians, with the goal being for them to read “lead-sheets” and improvise comfortably and confidently. Helped advanced-level players develop additional musical vocabulary through the use of pedal tones, harmonic planing, quartal harmony, chord scales, pentatonics, upper-structure triads, etc. Mentored musicianship and the music business; Taught classical guitar to adults using the Sagrares Method; advised guitarists of health and wellness techniques including methods inspired by educator and pianist, Dorothy Taubman. Clinician

University of Massachusetts, Department of Music and Dance, Amherst - Taught master class in jazz improvisation at the New North Community School in Springfield, MA; and was a teaching assistant as part of the Jazz-in-July and Jazzmobile program sponsored by the Fine Arts Center in 1984. St. Mary’s International School, Tokyo – Lectured on the use of chord scales, approach notes, arpeggios, and group dynamics, 2003.

International Guitar Festival, Singapore – Lectured in 2001 at this prestigious event on musical communication within a small jazz ensemble, discussing listening, “trading fours,” dynamics, the swing feel, and how jazz musicians use “road-maps” for their improvisations; included a featured performance of The Greg Chako Trio. English Teacher

Berlitz Japan, Inc., Tokyo and Yokohama - Working as an instructor of English as a Second Language (ESL), successfully completed a 72-hour Berlitz Instructor Training Program and eight hours of follow-up training Chako page 5 of 10

Teaching Experience Continued

English Teacher . . .

courses, including: Effective Communication Skills; Total Customer Orientation; The Learner-Centered Classroom; The History of Language Teaching and Acquisition; and Setting Learner-Centered Goals. Taught over 5,000 English lessons (private and group) to students ranging in age from 18-80, and “Business English” classes to groups of 6 to 15 students for top Japanese companies such as Hitachi, Nissan, Shiseido, and the German company, Hafele.

Achieved positive annual performance reviews; Set viable learning objectives and goal-oriented lesson plans; Utilized memorization, repetition, strict correction, learning synonyms, in-class paraphrasing and verbal summarizing of videos, magazines and newspapers, and writing and talking about the student’s personal interests. Teaching Evaluations

Berlitz Japan, Inc. - Teaching evaluators wrote: “ . . . excellent; gifted; . . . With an intense interest in the personal development of his students and a great sensitivity to their individual needs and cultural background . . .. ” Musika Lessons.com – Michael Franklin, an adult learner, said: “Recently I have rededicated myself to learning how to play the guitar. I have used guitar instructors in the past and can honestly say Greg Chako is the best I have worked with. His teaching style makes learning to play the guitar fun, and he keeps me motivated to practice in between our sessions. I recommend Greg with full confidence to anyone who is serious about learning how to play guitar. His passion and dedication to his work will be obvious to anyone who utilizes his service.” Chako Productions, Singapore, USA - Yap Shu Mei, Violinist and Director of Mandeville Conservatory of Music, said: “I was already playing classical violin professionally when I met Greg Chako, but I was apprehensive about improvisation. Greg gave me just the right materials to work on and also helped me gain the confidence I lacked. Now I can play jazz and popular forms of music with a greater sense of assurance and enjoyment.” Patrick Teng, Guitar enthusiast and part-time instructor, said, “Greg Chako taught me everything I need to know about improvisation in music. Regardless of genre, he has an uncanny way of breaking complex concepts into simple theory that anyone could understand. After lessons with him over the years, my skills improved and I got a part-time job as a guitar instructor with the Cristofori Music School and have been teaching there for 3 years now.” American William Gathright, a professional bassist, said, “I’m a former student of the great Ron Carter. After meeting Greg Chako in Asia, I continued my jazz studies with him. Greg filled in knowledge gaps that have been key to my musical growth and was especially instrumental in helping me to understand and utilize “melodic minor” harmony. Playing and studying with Greg has truly created opportunities for me; as a result, I am currently involved with the “SINGJAZZ” festival and am one of the most in-demand bassists in Singapore.” Yvette Atienza, Jazz Singer and Head Vocal Coach at Verve Music and Dance School, said, “Early on in my career, when I committed myself to developing fully as a jazz singer, Greg was very supportive and helpful in offering constructive feedback, especially when it came to repertoire choices and musicianship pointers. In addition, observing him conduct his own business activities – especially with regard to procuring and maintaining gigs – proved especially enlightening and informative for my own foray into the world of music business.” Derek Short, professional American bassist and bandleader in Japan, said, “Greg has an immense knowledge of Harmony and improvisatory tools and more importantly, knows how to simplify complex ideas into an easy-to- understand language. His teaching style is down-to-earth.” University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center Director, Dr. Frederick Tillis, said, “Greg Chako displays an outstanding leadership role and ability to work with students of varying and diverse backgrounds . . .” and has,

“ . . . Energetic, industrious organizational skills and an adept ability in matters of arts business.” Chako page 6 of 10

Professional Experience

Arts Events Management

USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan 1983 - 2009 Performing and Recording Artist

USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan 1983 – Present Sales and Community Service

USA 1987-2011

Professional Highlights

Arts Events Management

Entrepreneurial Projects, USA

Chako Productions – Founded and established a sole-proprietorship and the Chako Productions brand in 1983. Jazz at the Jeff - Wrote a successful grant application in 1984 to the Massachusetts State Council for the Arts to run a concert series featuring African-American jazz musicians from the New England area; Booked and led the musical performances; Secured press and media coverage; Sourced and acquired the venue (The Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst MA) and 50% “matching funds” from local area businesses. Pioneer Jazz Society - Founded in 1984 a Not-for-Profit Jazz Society; Wrote the by-laws and enlisted a Board of Directors; Launched its inception with an out-door music festival called Jazz Extravaganza; negotiated for the venue; organized press coverage, all performers, equipment, and food and beverage for the event. Doc`s Place, Cincinnati, OH - “Sitting in” on guitar with friends one night and some pro-active entrepreneurial spirit led, in 1985, to an agency contract to book three to four nights a week of various music performances featuring local and international acts; Designed monthly music rosters printed on place-mats for each table; Created innovative marketing “events;” Started a mailing list; Designed company stationery with matching business logo, cards, letterhead, and envelopes.

Entrepreneurial Projects, Singapore

Chako Productions Pte. Ltd. - Founded and incorporated in 1994; served as Managing Director; within less than three years of its inception, this full-service agency became a major competitor for the lucrative entertainment industry in the Singapore region; Managed over S$1,000,000.00 in annual income by procuring and promoting gigs and entertainment events, as well as a diverse, multi-cultural, full-time staff of more than 30 people. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide - Appointed in 1999 as entertainment agent in for the Westin Plaza and Westin Stamford Hotels in Singapore; Managed a regular daily roster of about 20 artists; Booked bands and soloists for their various venues, a contract worth tens of thousands of dollars per month; Produced a professional video recording, Coco York and Greg Chako Live on the Silk Road, recorded live at Somerset’s Bar in the Westin Plaza; Contracted in 2002 to head entertainment for their new Westin Bund Center in Shanghai, China. Raffles Hotel and Raffles International, Singapore & Cambodia - Led house band of The Bar and Billiard Room of Raffles Hotel 1995-2002; Set all-time record for positive (written) guest feedback; Originated professional videos aired on public TV and recorded a live CD; Reported personally to the Executive Vice President of Operations of Raffles International, MPS Puri; Handled a huge budget and wide variety of entertainment services for all their venues in Singapore and one in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The mutually fruitful business relationship developed with Puri and Raffles International led to a major entertainment project at The Fullerton, Singapore. The Fullerton - Asked by MPS Puri to “take his [entertainment] headaches away“ at a 5-star luxury hotel with numerous F&B outlets; Managed all entertainment, including functions (Louis Vuitton), and many genres of music in different areas of the facility from morning to night; Oversaw a monthly budget of about US$50,000. Chako page 7 of 10

Professional Highlights Continued

Entrepreneurial Projects, Singapore . . .

Chi-Jazz Festival Chijmes - Invited initially to headline a 1998 appearance at a large outdoor music festival; Organized a special Latin-Jazz vocal septet to perform; Arranged a video production of the concert, titled after the septet’s’ name: World Beat; Led subsequent marketing efforts and was asked to run (as their entertainment agent for two years) a regular concert series for Chijmes Investment Pte. Ltd., called Just Jazz. Pan Pacific - Cold-called management of the Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore in 1994 and proposed to take over their entertainment, subsequently acquiring Chako Productions’ first three-month entertainment contract in Singapore: to lead The Greg Chako Jazz Explosion in the Copacabana of the Pan Pacific Singapore six nights a week; Imported musicians from New York City and maintained the entertainment contract there for two consecutive years. Cultivated a regular, repeat client pool – American’s Women’s Association; World Gourmet Food Summit; Ministry of the Arts; Port of Singapore Authority; Television Corporation of Singapore; Compaq Computers; Coca- Cola; Citibank; CNN; Singapore Airlines; US Navy; American Embassy; Visa International; US Ambassador Steven Green; Tony and Melanie Chew (of Del Monte); The American Club; British Club; Swiss Club; Singapore Recreation Club; The Grand Hyatt; Ritz-Carlton; The Oriental, The Four Seasons, Hilton Hotel, and many others. Entrepreneurial Projects, Hong Kong

Chako Productions - In less than two years, 1992-1994, as a solely English-speaking newcomer, established a sole- proprietorship that ran regular concert series and created innovative events for Hong Kong’s prime venues. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group - Headhunted in 1994 to lead a fortnight of jazz at the famous Captain’s Bar of The Oriental, Hong Kong; Arranged a live recording that led to a CD release, Everything I Love; secured a steady gig there and negotiated for the CD to be sold in their gift-shop; asked to lead a sequel engagement in 1995 and assisted with the marketing of that, garnering numerous featured articles and reviews in the Hong Kong press; Hired as exclusive agent to run all the entertainment at The Oriental, Singapore in 1996, establishing a successful long term business relationship with this global hotel management organization. Sourced and serviced a premier client list - Swire Group; Hong Kong Urban Council; Hong Kong Cultural Center; American Chamber of Commerce; Landmark - HK Land and Property Co.; Art Asia; The Freemasons; Elite Concepts (an up-market group of F&B outlets); Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club; Jockey Club; Hong Kong Country Club; Foreign Correspondents Club; Ladies Recreation Club; The Ritz-Carlton; The Peninsula; etc. Entrepreneurial Projects, Japan

The Imperial Hotel - Led weekly duet with piano 2005-2008 at Tokyo’s most famous and highly regarded hotel; Organized two duos called, Smooth as Silk with a vocalist, and The Imperial Duo with the steady pianist’s; Recorded a live-CD, Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd, with liner notes and a website translated into Japanese; Asked to play for corporate executives when Tokyo-Mitsubishi Bank merged with Merrill Lynch and proposed the CD to be used as part of the exclusive guests’ take-away gift bags. The Intercontinental Yokohama Grand - Used a steady 10-month band-leading engagement at their Starboard Music Lounge to form the Collaboration Quartet, comprised of two Japanese and two American members, which in turn, led to highlight performances, a tour of Japan, a live TV concert appearance, and a 2008 CD release featuring the group called, Everybody’s Got a Name.

Developed and serviced repeat customers - Louis Vuitton; Tiffany; Cartier; Mont Blanc; Chanel; Adidas; Takashimiya; Goldman Sachs; Merrill Lynch; Tokyo-Mitsubishi Bank; Toyota; The British and Canadian Embassies; The Four Seasons; Tokyo Dome and Keio Plaza Hotels; XEX; Mannoir d`Inno; Il Mulino; and jazz clubs: Airegin; Motion Blue; The Cotton Club; Body and Soul; JZ Brat; The Pit Inn; B-Flat, among others. Chako page 8 of 10

Professional Highlights Continued

Performing and Recording Artist

USA

Doc’s Place, Cincinnati, OH - Led house band 1985-1987, The Greg Chako Jazz Explosion, hosting Junior Cook, Jim Snidero, Bobby Watson, Lanny Morgan, Jimmy Raney, Herb Ellis, Cal Collins, Othello Molineaux, Johnny Lytle, Mike Wolfe, Rusty Bryant, Jimmy McGary, Glenn Wilson, Steve Schmidt, and Phil DeGreg, among others. Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst, MA – Hosted Bill Hardman, Paul Brown, Avery Sharpe, Charles “Majeed” Greenlee, Ed Jones, Joe Fonda, Nat Reeves, Ray Copeland, and Dr. Frederick Tillis, among others, 1983-1985. Bright Moments Jazz Festival Amherst, MA - Performed in 1984 as “warm-up” for Billy Taylor’s All-Stars. Shanghai, China and Japan

The Niche Bar, Westin Bund Center – In 2002-2003, led group featuring vocalist Dee Dee McNeil, pianist Jack Holland, and bassist Donald Jackson; dubbed by the press: “ . . . the finest jazz act to ever play in the PRC . . .. “ JZ Brat, Motion Blue, and Bar, Bar, Bar, Japan – Collaboration Quartet/Quintet 2007-2009, with drummer Gene Jackson (from Herbie Hancock), including a tour; video productions; and a TV show called Yokohama Sounds. The Cotton Club and Body-n-Soul Tokyo, Japan - Performed original arrangements and featured guitar performances with drummer Tommy Campbell’s (from Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie) Organ-Eyes Vocal Session Band (featuring organist Daisuke Kawai and singer Glynis Martin) and Pro-Jack Session Band (featuring saxophonist Steve Sax), from 2007-2009.

Singapore

Jazz in the Park, Fort Canning Park - Headlined a large outdoor 2001 event, sponsored by The American Woman’s Association, with a 10-piece little big band featuring all-original music. 2002 Heineken Jazz Festival Malaysia and Singapore - Led original recording personnel from the Integration II CD, with Steve Thornton (from Miles Davis), for multiple shows in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Tribute to Miles Davis, Botanic Gardens – Led the first 1997 rendition of the World Beat band. Video clips of the performance were recorded as part of a documentary movie called, An American at in the Lion City. Chi-Jazz and Just Jazz Festival, Chijmes – Headlined multiple groups, in 1998-2000, featuring original music. Bar and Billiard Room, Raffles Hotel – Led house trio for six years, hosting guest artists including saxophonist Gordan Brisker, singer Carol Kidd, drummer Akira Jimbo (from Casiopea) and guitarist Curtis Roberts. The Copacabana, Pan Pacific Hotel – Led groups with drummer Redd Holt (from Ramsey Lewis) and bassist Belinda Moody; and with bassist Victor Gaskin (from Billy Taylor), pianist Mario Serio, and singer Jean DuShon. Hong Kong

Captain’s Bar of The Oriental and The Jazz Club - Led weekly trio for almost three years; Played The Jazz Club with own group and as guest artist with trombonist Curtis Fuller and saxophonist Richie Cole. Asian Internet Awards Ceremony, The Grand Hyatt, and Brown’s Jazz Club – Led quartet from Singapore on a seven-concert mini-tour in 2001, featuring the percussion and “didjeridu” of Reggie Perera. Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra; West Side Story; and Barnum – Guest soloist for the Hong Kong Pops Concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum; Orchestra member in the HK Academy of Arts presentation conducted by Wing Sie-Yip; Orchestra member of the original West End production at the HK Cultural Center (1993-1994). Performing Artist, Featured Arrangements

Kilbourn Hall, Rochester, NY; Shea Performing Arts Center, Wayne, NJ – Original songs played by The Eastman Jazz Ensemble directed by Bill Dobbins, 2012-2013; Original arrangement played by Bernie Williams and the William Paterson (WP) Jazz Orchestra as part of the 2010 Distinguished Lecturer Series hosted by WP University. Chako page 9 of 10

Professional Highlights Continued . . .

Recording Artist

Released 10 Internationally Acclaimed Jazz CDs – Includes: Fifty original compositions, some with lyrics; variety of musical formats; unique stylistically, with interesting instrumentation; functioned as leader and musical director, arranger and contractor; authored liner notes, conceptualized cover art, led all production and business aspects; got charted, international radio airplay, and consistently rave reviews (see examples below). CDs

My World on Six Strings, 2013 - “ . . . a total orchestra! The complete package . . . ” - Gene Bertoncini Everybody`s Got a Name, 2008 – “Greg Chako is the consummate musician . . . nothing less than outstanding! Sophisticated, cool guitar work in combination with a superb cast. Simply marvelous!” - All About Jazz Paint a Picture, Tell a Story, 2007 - “Colorful, percussive, straight-ahead jazz compositions, bright ensembling with horns, and fluid, emotionally dynamic guitar improvising; many emotional hooks; a transcendent universalism that goes beyond the usual geographic boundaries of jazz.” – iTunes Preview Two`s Company, Three`s a Crowd, 2006 - “Warm, intimate, swinging; award winning lines; highly recommended; high quality; individually unique” – Edward Blanco, Ejazz News Where We Find Ourselves, 2005 - “A reality check on so many levels. What kind of balls does it take to record a double album of all original jazz in four days and make it sound like a classic Bluenote, World Pacific or Verve date? They must have grown up eating Rudy Van Gelder sessions for breakfast to absorb this kind of vibe. Chako straddles being familiar and unique in the same interval with such style that you're sure you've been here before but you know you haven't . . . simply a delightful heaping helping of cool jazz that moves and grooves and is sure to win you over before the first track is over. Why is this guy recording for his own label? You put the machine behind this cat and you could crash Amazon's servers.” – Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap Integration II, 2001 - "Transcends geographic boundaries and cultures; communicates the happiness and friendship that all music should provide; well-crafted tunes, harmonically strong, with catchy, memorable melodies (unlike many contemporary offerings today). Exceptional! Thoughtfully created, perfectly executed; a positive musical statement from an extremely talented composer and performer." – Vince Lewis, Just Jazz Guitar Integration, 2000 - "Hard Bop mixed with rhythms and sounds of the Far East, Latin, exotic sounds of the Australian outback, blues, jazz funk, and a lovely ballad . . . recalls those exciting hard blowing small group sessions of the 1960s. Imaginative application of tempo and harmony filled with some unexpected jagged rhythmic diversions guaranteed to keep listener attention. Recommended!” - David Nathan, All Music Guide Integration I & II: “ . . . the culmination of many studio hours, tremendous discipline, concentration, and the ability to employ all musical strengths in every composition; A jazz mosaic painted with the very best of cultural, ethnic, and musical sensibilities; a striking sumptuousness and extensiveness in the music that is rarely found in any genre . . . of the world's best kept secrets. An essential jazz experience." – Keith Hannaleck, JazzReviews

“ . . . Full of nuances, integrating

Contact this candidate