GREG'S BIO
Greg Piccolo has spent more than six decades shaping the sound of blues and rhythm & blues with a voice and especially a tenor saxophone style purposely reminiscent of the big fat, wailing sound of the 40’s and 50’s, when “sax was king”. From his beginnings in Westerly, Rhode Island where he formed his first band at just 13, until now, recognized as one of the genre’s most respected performers. Piccolo’s career has been defined by relentless dedication, musical curiosity, and always a groove.
His early work led to a pivotal chapter with Roomful of Blues, where over a 25-year tenure, he served as lead singer, bandleader, and a driving force behind the band’s signature horn-powered sound. During those years, the group rose to international prominence, earning Grammy recognition while touring extensively and creating several acclaimed releases. Still, decades after his departure, Piccolo’s influence remains deeply embedded in the band’s identity.
In 1994, he launched Heavy Juice, a smaller, more flexible group that allowed him to expand his artistic range and pursue a more personal musical direction. Over the past three decades, Heavy Juice has toured widely while Piccolo continued to record, including releases on Fantasy Records (now Concord) and instrumental projects such as Homage and Who Did This?, showcasing his masterful command of the tenor saxophone.
Now, at 75, Piccolo enters a new and deeply personal chapter with his upcoming release, Who Knows What the Future Holds, to be released June 19.
Produced by the legendary Terry Manning known for his work with artists ranging from ZZ Top to Shania Twain, the album marks a significant shift: a deliberate focus on Piccolo as a singer and songwriter. Drawing from a vault of previously unreleased material, the record presents eleven songs that reflect a lifetime of experience capturing joy and hardship, humor and heartbreak, all delivered with emotional clarity and an enduring sense of rhythm.
The recording process however carried added weight. Manning, whose warmth, humility, and creative instincts helped shape the sessions at Sonic Ranch Studio in Texas, passed away suddenly just after sending the first mix for review. Completing the project became both a challenge and a tribute, with careful effort taken to preserve Terry’s production vision while bringing the album to completion.
Musically, the album presents introspection with infectious energy. The songs indicate personal reflection, but they also move being rooted in groove, rich in clever storytelling, and alive with spirit that has carried him through more than 60 years on the road.
Throughout his career, Piccolo has earned multiple Blues Music Award nominations and induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame. He has shared stages and studios with an extraordinary range of artists, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pat Benatar, and Big Joe Turner, further solidifying his reputation as a world-class musician.
Yet accolades tell only part of the story. Piccolo continues to perform, practice, and push himself with the same intensity that defined his earliest days. Whether fronting a band, stepping forward with his horn, or delivering a lyric drawn from decades of lived experience, he approaches the music with purpose, authenticity and economy. Being a “less is more” artist, allows Greg to present every note whether singing or playing with purpose and meaning.
“This recording represents my alternate career as a singer-songwriter,” Piccolo says. “I’ve opened my vault, and I’m grateful for the chance to finally share these songs.”
After a lifetime of music, that vault still has more to offer. And as this latest chapter begins, one thing remains certain: Greg Piccolo is still moving forward, still creating, and still finding new ways to connect.
Who knows what the future holds.