Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
All Music Guide:
A talented keyboardist, Gregg Karukas has mostly worked in the commercial side of jazz. Although he noodled on the piano from age six, he did not start studying music seriously until he was a teenager. Karukas often played organ in R&B bands early on and at 17 he began a five-year stint with Tim Eyermann's East Coast Offering. After a period working as a studio musician in D.C., he moved to Los Angeles in 1983, where he became a major part of the pop-jazz scene, playing with (among others) Richard Elliot, Grant Geissman, Ronnie Laws, and David Benoit. Karukas worked for a year and a half with Melissa Manchester, had a band that featured the young saxophonist Dave Koz, and in the mid-'80s became an original member of the Rippingtons. In addition to his crossover work, Karukas has gained extensive experience playing Brazilian music, including with Ricardo Silveira, Sergio Mendes, and Dori Caymmi; worked as a freelance producer; been a sideman on albums by Boney James, Peter White, and Craig Chaquico; worked as a studio musician; and written songs for a variety of R&B/pop artists. As a leader, Gregg Karukas has recorded for Optimism, Positive Music, Fahrenheit, I.E. Music, N-Coded Music, and Trippin 'N' Rhythm.
Wikipedia:
Gregg Karukas is a smooth jazz keyboardist and pianist, originally from the Washington, D.C.-Maryland area. He experimented with keyboards as a child, but it was not until his teens that he pursued music professionally. Gradually, he developed a melodic and soulful style of music that made him a mainstay on smooth jazz and radio circuit.
Karukas is known to write music that evokes strong emotions. Two of his best-known singles, "Girl in the Red Dress" and "Nightshift", reflect a style familiar to his fans. Karukas has collaborated with Brazilian composer Dori Caymmi and Ricardo Silveira on several projects. With eleven solo albums and many sessions and tours with prominent jazz artists, Gregg Karukas has established himself as one of the leading musicians of the format. He has a wife named Yvonne and two sons named Stevie and Alex who are musicians.
