Greg Piccolo
Musician
Website: www.gregpiccolo.com
Phone: 401-486-7910
Email: pixworld@aol.com
Management & Agent: Bonnie Tallman
Email: bmtallman@aol.com
For Inputs, tech data and for technical advance, email, bmtallman@aol.com
Stage Plots (Trio & Quartet):
Poster:
About Greg
Piccolo remains in top form, 60+ years of non-stop performing. Many consider Greg as one of the premier tenor sax players of his time. Now, at age 75, Piccolo brings full circle his passion for songwriting and has taken center stage as a lead singer. Supporting his new release, “Who Knows What the Future Holds”, Greg exposes his alternate career as a singer-songwriter, unleashing songs written over the past 30 plus years. These songs and his on-stage delivery capture a lifetime of experience including the highs and lows, the grit and grace, personal regrets and resilience all presented with wit, emotional clarity and honest passion with every word and every note.
Piccolo's shows swing between rhythm & blues originals, rock & roll, traditional jazz, and blues – even a sprinkle of reggae and world music rhythms may sneak in. His performances are spontaneous, no set list, no plan…a true artistic presentation straight from his core.
Greg has a long and fascinating history, starting his first band in Westerly, RI at age 13. He spent twenty-five years as an integral member of the world-famous horn section with Roomful of Blues. After departing Roomful in 1994, he is now entering a third decade with his own band, Heavy Juice. May 2024 marked the celebration of his 60th year as a performing artist.
Greg has meticulously captured the subtle nuances of his tenor sax mentors, Illinois Jacquet, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Red Prysock, and others of that era when sax was king, while adding his own unique style and phrasing to create an unforgettable musical experience.
Piccolo's unique vocal delivery serves every song rendered in the best possible way. Greg’s current performance format ranges from a 4-piece ensemble including organ/piano/bass, drums, guitar and Greg on lead vocals and sax. With the addition of a three-piece horn section the band can accommodate larger stages and festival settings.
Greg is a multi-nominated Blues Music Award nominee by the Memphis based Blues Foundation, and an inductee into the New England Music Hall of Fame. Greg has recorded with and/or shared the stage with a litany of notables including Pat Benetar, Steve Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan and Tilt -A-Whirl, Eric Clapton, Big Joe Turner, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, just to mention a few.
Quotes
Greg Piccolo
“This recording represents my alternate career as a singer songwriter and focuses on unpublished tunes I have written over the years. I’ve opened my vault and I’m so glad to now have this chance to finally share them with all of you.“
Chris Kimsey
(Producer Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Duran Duran, Peter Frampton)
"Greg’s latest songs and recordings bring a fresh level of economy and a strong big band influence, while never ceasing to innovate—engaging in a dynamic conversation with jazz, rock, funk, and reggae. Every note and beat carries meaning and soul. The horn arrangements are effortlessly rhythmic and majestically crafted, complemented by terrific solos that are warm and full of groove. The vocals are top-tier, and Greg’s performance on Guilty evokes the emotional depth of Nina Simone. The sonic clarity throughout is exceptional."
David Mac
(Blues Junction Productions)
"On “Who Knows What the Future Holds” Greg Piccolo, the famous tenor sax man, puts his songwriting and vocals in the spotlight. As a bandleader he fronts his best ensemble since his days leading Roomful of Blues."
Ray Benson
(Asleep At the Wheel)
"Fantastic record! Your voice is in super form, same for horn! And the songs are all great! Congrats on a great new release."
Ronnie Earl
“Greg has delivered a lifetime of Soul!”
Step Smit
(Back to the Roots)
“There is so much to discover on this album, “Who Knows What The Future Holds”; it never gets boring for a moment. This album is a must-listen. Keep an eye out for it, because this music is simply too good to miss!”
Michael Point
"Piccolo wails with wild abandon... resurrecting the sound and spirit of the legendary R&B sax heroes of the 50s."
Geoffrey Himes
"...the best songwriter in the jump blues style since the genres heyday in the 30s and 40s"
Jay N. Miller
"...Piccolo has a passel of original music that molds modern funk, rock, soul, and rhythm and blues into a sizzling contemporary blend."
Eric Thom
(Americana Highway)
"...the fact that Piccolo's vocal more than holds its ground atop such a dominant musical presence testifies that this talented collective can succeed in any musical direction they please. At the same time, this commanding release more than validates Piccolo as a powerhouse vocalist, an exceptional songwriter and an overall force to be reckoned with - - regardless of the genre. His long-time prowess and status as a heavyweight tenor sax juggernaut gets an update."
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