Greg Chambers/saxophone, Karen Vuong/vocals, Heday Mercury/guitar, Elizabeth Morgan/keyboard, Isaac Melamed/cello, Dante De Silva/bass, Joe Petrasek/drums
Influences
Dave Koz, Michael Lington, Warren Hill, Eric Marienthal, David Sanborn, Steve Cole, and Gerald Albright.
Sounds Like
The saxophone-lead pop of Dave Koz, Michael Lington, and Steve Cole meets the contemporary alternative rock of Keane, Howie Day, and Coldplay, with subtle undertones of George Winston and even Nickel Creek.
Born into a musical family in Gilroy, California, Greg took up the saxophone at age 9. By the time he was in high school, he was playing in statewide and region-wide honor bands, local jazz bands/ combos, community wind bands, and had been called to play in many local musical theater productions. It was during these years that Greg first began to juggle the pursuit of classical playing with that of jazz and contemporary jazz/pop.
As a classical saxophonist, Greg serves as an on-call saxophonist for the YMF Debut Orchestra, has been heard on the airwaves of K-Mozart in Los Angeles, has won a position in the opera orchestra for the 2007 Spoleto USA Music Festival, and has been selected as the Saxophone Fellowship recipient for the 2007 Aspen Music Festival. He has studied with Douglas Masek and William Trimble, has performed in masterclasses with Greg Banaszak and Gary Keller, and has performed as a soloist with Neal Stulberg and the UCLA Philharmonia as well as with the South Valley Symphony under the direction of Tony Quartuccio. Greg was a winner of the Atwater-Kent “All Star” Concerto Competition in 2006, the Elaine Krown Klein Fine Arts Scholarship, an American Youth Symphony scholarship, and recently won second prize in the Piano & Winds Division of the Rio Hondo Symphony Young Artist Competition.
As a jazz/instrumental pop saxophonist, Greg has recorded for independent films, studied with Eric Marienthal, and recorded for up-and-coming singer/songwriter Anna Sali, among other things. His debut smooth jazz album, City Lights, has received praise from fellow saxophonists, listeners, promoters, and record executives. It has made its way into internet radio playlists and podcasts (both in the US and abroad) and has received a considerable degree of attention from Smoothjazz.com and SmoothJazzTherapy.com. The song, “City Lights”, has recently been picked up for a jazz compilation album by Atlanta-based independent label, Shut Eye Records & Agency, and unanimously won a 2006 Los Angeles Music Award in the “New Jazz” category.
Reviews
I have listened to your music and find it really good! Nice sound and the compositions are indeed fresh and new with a mix of nowerdays pop songs! Good chance, and link I think, to attract also the youth! Keep going on with the good music!
- Inge, W., SmoothJazzWeb.com
Recording Quality/Production: 4.5
Musicianship: 5 - Great sax work! Stunning!
Music Composing: 4.5 to 5
Song Arrangement: 4.5
Your playing and composing are both outstanding. Your guest musicians are also out of this world!
- FoleyEntertainment.com
You have a wonderful sound and you definitely worked with a talented group of musicians on this record. It’s a terrific compilation of great songs. This cd is great to relax to, even in Atlanta traffic! The eleven song EP, City Lights, that you sent me was full of engaging melodies and wonderful instrumentation. There is a great blend of light, peaceful jazzand that creates a wonderful listening experience for anyone. I really love your touching melodies and beautiful playing. These are definitely the type of songs that could generate a big stir on Jazz radio…
- Megan Hill, Jazz A&R for Shut Eye Records
First of all, I listened to your mp3’s - many times. You are definitely in the league with the Chris Botti’s and A class musicians. Sincerely, you ARE the real deal!!
- Georgette Lebitty, Exec. VP of Promise Communications, NY and LA
Hi Greg, Just dropped in & Listened to 'Here With You' - and thats the power of great music, it makes great musicians like you, here with us. Happy New Year & All The Best for 2008. -The Smooth Groovers Review Podcast http://www.smoothgroovers.com
Hi Greg...thanks for the request..checked your sounds out and I think I like City Lights the best...always love to hear new jazz! I wish you all the best on your journey!!
How are you doing? I hope your week has been nice and peaceful. Thank you so much for the invitation to your world. :) Your music sounds really good Greg. Have a wonderful day and thanks again.
How are you? Thanks so much for adding me. Outstanding work here!! You know, being a guitarist/percussionist, your influences are the same as mine. They're amazing aren't they? God bless and please drop a line when you can.
Hi Greg...
thanks for the add request. :) WOW! I really like your music and am very impressed with your playing!!! Congratulations and best of luck on your new CD. Really looking forward to hearing more....
Thank you for the add request. I'd be happy to check you out. I always enjoy hearing good music from new artists. Peace and blessings in all you endeavor!
