I am open, to listen, collaborate, constructively critique, consult, communicate, play, produce and/or connect with musicians, artists, poets, activists, kind souls, thinkers and writers. I welcome opportunities to compose theme music, score music or write songs for film, theater, soundtracks and music libraries. I am available to write songs for and with artists. I am also available for hire as a producer, touring musician or singer, to play guitar, guitar solos, bass or percussion. I am available to arrange songs, write lyrics or contribute whatever ingredients necessary to make great music. To inquire about the above contact me via the send a message feature on this page.
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T-Bone Walker, The Beatles, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Billie Holiday, Lauryn Hill, John McLaughlin, David Bowie, Steven Spielberg, Herbie Hancock, Bob Marley, Djavan, Tony Williams, Cream, Sun Ra and The Intergalactic Space Arkestra, Joni Mitchell, Astrud Gilberto, James Brown, Erykah Badu, Wesley Snipes, Yves Tanguy, Chuck Berry, Sting, The Police, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Jaco Patorious, Weather Report, Sammy Davis Jr., Wadada Leo Smith, George Lucas, William H. Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Arthur Ashe, Stan Lathan, Oregon, John Coltrane, The Funk Brothers, Little Richard, Allman Brothers Band, Teo Macero, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Supremes, Mavis Staples, The Neville Brothers, Michael Jackson, The Clash, George Clooney, Oliver Lake, Ralph Ellison, Les McCann, Outkast, Charles Mingus, Nine Inch Nails, Alvin Lee, Terge Rypdal, Tina Turner, Phillip Glass, Meshell Ndegeocello, Alvin Lee, Genesis, Curtis Mayfield, Ian Copeland, Stewart Copeland, James Jamerson, Bessie Smith, John Singleton, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Earl Slick, Robert Redford, Elly May, Granny, Jed and Jethro Clampett, Samuel L.Jackson, Steve Morse, Igor Stravinsky, Rodney Dangerfield, Ridley Scott, Marge Simpson, George Washington Carver, Bill Withers, Pere Ubu, Stan Lee, George Duke, King Crimson, Clementine Hunter, Foo Fighters, Anton Webern, Steve Lukather, Airto Moreíra, Sir George Martin, Odetta, Patsy Cline, Jay-Z, Trevor Horn, Paul Newman, Gordon Parks, Spike Lee, David Sancious, Metallica, The Raybeats, Mahalia Jackson, Richard Pryor, Robert Moog, Pete Cosey, R. Crumb, Journey, Robert Johnson, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Milton Nascimento, Babar, Marcel Duchamp, U2, Tom Dowd, Richard Yarde, Walt Whitman, Bugs Bunny, William Grant Still, Stevie Wonder, Romare Bearden, David Bromberg, Chic, Stanley Nelson, Michael Henderson, Gary Bartz, Sade Adu, Prince, Charlie Parker, Earth Wind and Fire, Rodney Dangerfield, Willie Nelson, Brian Eno, David Cronenberg, Louie Armstrong, Buddha, Ridley Scott, Quincy Jones, Thich Nhat Hanh, Edgar Varese, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Eddie Murphy, Peter Sellers, Charles Ives, Federico Fellini, Son House, King Crimson, Woody Allen, Stanley Clarke, Garcia José Mauricio Nunes, Donny Hathaway, Althea Gibson, e.e. cummings, Janis Joplin, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Sir George Martin, Ralph Ellison, Blue Cheer, Nas, Basho, Robert Deniro, James Jamerson, João Gilberto, Barack Obama, Michael Schultz, Lee Morgan, Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin, Nelson Mandela, Les Paul, Rene Magritte, Duke Ellington, Stockhausen, Shinkichi Takahashi, Mr.Burns, Oliver Jackson, Robert Wiene, Led Zeppelin, Mary j. Blidge, Harry Partch, Spike Lee, John Cage, YES, Tina Turner, W.E.B. Du Bois, Eric Dolphy, Macy Gray, Denzel Washington, Jeff Beck, Jena Marcovicci, Martin Luther King Jr., Frank Sinatra, Julie Dash, Claude Debussey, Andre Agassi, Martin Luther King, Dave Chappelle, George Lucas, Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, Muhammed Ali, Frank Zappa, Erik Satie, Mahatma Gandhi, Annie Lennox, Nat King Cole, Alex Haley, Seal, Harrison Ford, Daffy Duck, Tina Turner, Paul Klee, David Bowie, Firesign Theatre, Albert King, Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, Captain Beefheart, Firesign Theatre, Michael Crichton, Lee Morgan, Benny Maupin, Henry O. Tanner, Sidney Poitier, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Harville Hendrix PhD, Andy Warhol, Oprah Winfrey, Alain Toussaint, Salvador Dali...
Sounds Like
Reviews (Selected)
"Towards the Sun picks up with graceful aplomb as if there were no gap in time at all. In fact, it was recorded over the whole of the ’90s. While fans of soulful ’70s and ’80s artists (Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, etc.) will find easy entrance into Gregory’s music, it’s also filled with subtle surprises that acknowledge his background in the gleefully iconoclastic fringes. All is not as it appears, with layering and compositional flourishes embedded in the songs, revealing themselves in slyly gentle ways. From the graceful modulations of “If I Only Had a Minute” to the thick guitar dazzle of “Love’s Parade,” this is an album filled with rich singing, inventive playing, and alluring, mesmerizing and cliché-free hooks." --Metroland.Net
"One of the most lyrical musicians working today...singularly personal and arresting and one of contemporary music's few genuine poets... Gregory's daring, darting vocal is so serene yet intense that one is hard-put naming a contemporary vocalist of similar grace and power." --Down Beat
"Michael Gregory's high tenor voice calls to mind Smokey Robinson, Sting or Ben Harper as it flows with his guitar riffs...He doesn't back away from the difficult and sometimes raw themes connected with love and loss. Lays bare the sinews of human emotion. Gregory's honesty and hypnotic sound mixes are unabashedly mellow." --The Advocate
"Gregory has that rare combination of virtuosity and versatility, able to play the guitar whiz...then slip easily into hugely commercial cuts. Michael Gregory is, quite simply, the business." --Q
"A highly distinctive and beautiful CD of originals...his own unique style that synthesizes jazz, pop and soul...filled with romantic longing and smoldering passion..." --Music Revue
"Take Bowie's sophistication, add Prince's flamboyance, and mix with plenty of originality. Michael Gregory writes crisp, vibrant songs, and sings them like it's a matter of life and death." --Trouser Press
"The songs...realize Michael Gregory's own theoretical musings about the fertile musical possibilities created when applying blues and jazz sensibilities to rock." --Spin
Gifts
"A beautiful, magical record. This record creates its own wonderful, unique space. Jackson's guitar work--rolling cushions of arpeggios here, fashioning darting, quirky solos there, the solid dancing rhythm section of Jerome Harris on bass and Pheeroan Ak Laff on drums simultaneously floating and holding down the pocket, the intertwining sound of Bakida Carrol on fluglehorn and Mary Ehrlich on reeds, with Jackson's soaring wordless vocals over the top--all in the service of Jackson's beautifully melodic compositions--I never get tired of this one. Besides the creative breadth of Jackson's vision here, I want to make special note of Ehrlich's contribution. He thoroughly inhabits the intricate compositions, always finding an improvisational voice that is absolutely at home--a masterful performance". (As far as I can tell, this has yet to be re-issued on CD.)--Tim Helman Inspirations
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. If it is change that you desire please start with yourself. Work within your community, participate in local and state politics. You do not have to reinvent the wheel, there is most likely an organization, group or movement that is active within the parameters of your cause. Don't just complain, take action, it only takes one pebble to make ripples in the largest of lakes. Please choose wisely, be mindful, be strong, be well, be earnest, be honest, be trustworthy and truthful.
I wish to thank Joel Bluestein for believing in me and for initiating and producing my first recording as a leader "Clarity, Circle, Triangle and Square"
"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 me”- 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, sustainable and renewable 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, human rights, gender equality, 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, sustainable 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 With
Julius 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, W.C. Handy, Jerry Marotta, Mark Helias, Jay Hoggard, Stephen Stewart, 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/gregory
BUY "TOWARDS THE SUN" at the iTunes store
BUY "RED" by Michael Gregory and "CLARITY CIRCLE, TRIANGLE AND SQUARE" by Michael Gregory Jackson at the iTunes store
Check out some MG guitar tracks at
http://www.myspace.com/zhoskymusic
Selected Discography
As 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 Producer
With 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 and Michael Gregory Productions
With Anthony Braxton, "Wild Flower Loft Jazz Sessions" Guitar, Electric Mandolin
With Wadada Leo Smith "Spiritual Dimensions", 10/2009 Producer (disc two), Lead guitar
With Nona Hendryx, "The Heat" Guitar Solos
With Pheeroan aKlaff, "Fits Like A Glove" Michael Gregory - Producer, Vocalist, Guitar Solos
with Amina Claudine Myers, "Amina" Michael Gregory - Producer
With The Equalites, "Choice Of Worlds" Michael Gregory - Producer, Vocalist, Guitar Solos, Keyboards
With Clyde Criner, "Behind The Sun" Michael Gregory - Producer, Percussion
With The Coyote Sisters, "Women And Other Visions" Guitars
With Louis Guarino Jr. "Spiritual Awakenings" Michael Gregory - Producer, www.enchantedvibrations.net
With Viva Monroe "Rock' N' Roll Party" Michael Gregory - Producer, Lead Guitar
With Leah Randazzo "At The Root" Michael Gregory - Producer, Percussion
With Seth Glier "Sojourn" Michael Gregory - Producer, Guitar, Percussion
With Pulitzer Prize winner poet Paul Muldoon & RACKETT "Resistance" Michael Gregory - Producer
With Stephen Allen "Making The Move: Music to Poems by Paul Muldoon" Lead Guitar Solos
With Louis Guarino Jr. "Images Of Movements Thru Time And Space" electric, acoustic and synthesizer guitars, synthesizer bass, vocal, www.enchantedvibrations.net
For all the new friends that, they found us in the
Piauí's Distant boundaries, liking or no of our Rock’n Roll, we let our sincere
gratefulness, emphasize the satisfaction of being present in your Space, and we
get happy FOR include us as YOUR friends, know that the Music is a world
unanimity, but, no doubts, the Rock is the most democratic slope for hiting all
the of age bands, races, religions, languages, peoples, etc. etc. etc., Kisses and hugs, with DÂNDI's Respect! -
ALWAYS FITS MORE ONE WHEN it uses MYSPACE
Just returned from the Caribbean. Had some quality rest and slept more than I have ever slept before--7-8 hours per day and up to 8 hours per night. I needed three months and then I would have recovered--I know that. The rat race burned me out here and now there is none of me to go around. But I hope that one day I will regain my umph! I hope that you are OK and having a really good week.
Please keep in touch when you can. I continue to enjoy your music. Fantastic. I need to add one of your tracks to my site so watch out for that. Will drop you a line when I do.
Sending my love, and very best wishes, as well as true blessings, friendship and respect.
Hi my friend, Here my new song "Corcovado" hope you like Brasil... and don't forget Epsilon's World cannot exist without you so don't hesitate to leave comment if you like a lot :) Welcome to the Epsilon's World... Friendly Epsilon You can buy my album here www.cykxincorp.com
Bonjour mon ami, Mon nouveau morceau "Corcovado" j'espère que tu aimes le Brésil... et n'oubli jamais de soutenir ma musique en faisant un commentaire si tu aimes vraiment car le monde d'Epsilon ne peut exister sans toi:) Amicalement Epsilon tu peux acheter mon album ici www.cykxincorp.com
Sometimes when i look around, all i see is misery, despair, frustration and pain...
Then, i close my eyes, take a couple deep breaths, RELAX...And ask myself, "WHAT IF all I saw was what I WANTED TO SEE?" Then, I open my eyes. I see the sun, I see the blue sky, I see my girls smiling back at me, I see life...
And then, lo and behold, I see nothing but OPPORTUNITY...
Thanks for reading. And if you enjoy these little sayings I send out, take a look at my site, http://TankJones.com and take a look at my blogs. You can also see a lot of pics of events I've done, music I've made and learn about my foundation.
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Online Now!