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Grégoire Maret has become the most sought after harmonica player behind legends Toots Thielemans and Stevie Wonder. Influenced by both, Maret has managed to find his own voice on the instrument. His capability to play almost anything has created a steady flow of collaboration with musicians from the jazz, pop, rock, funk & R&B worlds, who call upon Maret's mastery to add the sound element unique to him.
Born May 13, 1975 in Geneva, Switzerland to a Swiss father and American mother, Maret began his musical career as a harmonica player at age 17. He attended Geneva's prestigious Collège de Saussure and the Superior Conservatory of Music. 1995, he made the critical decision to move to New York City and pursue his studies at the New School For Social Research, Jazz Program, where he graduated with a BA in Music 1998 and has been on the move ever since.
Grégoire's experience weaves a phenomenal tale. He has recorded, performed and toured with many musical greats, including; Reggie Workman, Charles Tolliver, Charles Fambrough, Patato Valdez, Max Roach, Tito Puente, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Pete la Roca, and Ray Brown, David Sanborn, Jimmy Scott, Jacky Terrasson, John Hicks, Idris Muhammad, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Mino Cinelu, Anita Baker, Bebel Giberto, Leon Parker, Bruce Cockburn, George Benson, Jeff 'Tain' Watts.
In 2005 Grégoire toured the world as a member of the Pat Metheny Group. He also won the following awards: "player of the year of instrument rare in jazz" from the jazz journalist association award, the critics’ poll in downbeat magazine "rising star miscellaneous instrument and each member of the Pat Metheny Group won a Grammy for "best contemporary jazz album" "the way up". His first album with Andy Milne as co-leader, “Scenarios”, came out in 2007.
Currently residing in New York, Grégoire can either be seen on the road, or performing and recording with renowned jazz artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Charlie Hunter, Steve Coleman, Marcus Miller, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ravi Coltrane, the Pat Metheny Group, Marcus Miller and Herbie Hancock.
This year, in addition to dedicating every other moment to completing his forthcoming solo album, he co-leads a trio named Gaia with Federico Gonzalez Peña and Gene Lake.
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