Gregg Karukas Holiday Jazz & More Unplugged

Thu, Dec 19

Advanced tickets $20 GA/$30 VIP $25/$35 at the door (subject to availability) Gregg Karukas Holiday Jazz and More Unplugged. John Leftwich-upright bass Joel Taylor-drums Charlean Carmon (John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Am. Idol) - vocals Grammy winning keyboardist and composer Gregg Karukas brings an intimate, unplugged jazz piano trio concert experience to complement his international touring; Holiday Jazz and More with special guest vocalist Charlean Carmon (Stevie Wonder, John Legend), playing some of his best known songs along with Brazilian and jazz classics. A prolific, genre-crossing veteran of the Contemporary Jazz scene, Gregg was a founding member of The Rippingtons (Moonlighting) in 1986, and has toured with Larry Carlton, Boney James, Dave Koz (Both Boney James and Dave Koz were members of Gregg's early bands, and decades later Gregg became musical director and featured artist on The Dave Koz Music Cruises), Sergio Mendes, Dori Caymmi, Ricardo Silveira, Peter White, Rick Braun, Shelby Flint, Melissa Manchester, Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Brenda Russell and Jeffrey Osborne. Originally from Bowie, MD, Gregg has lived in the Los Angeles area since 1982. Home For The Holidays / Nightowl Records Many contemporary jazz artists are criticized for their lack of inventiveness and lack of improvisation that marks a true jazz player, but even as keyboard whiz Gregg Karukas has topped the pop/jazz charts, his skill with improv and harmonic surprises has never ceased to amaze.Those looking for more of Karukas' jazz roots will find them on this lush, glorious holiday treat, which strips away the synthesizer and other electric appliances for a tender yet energetic trio date that truly captures the warmth and intimacy of the season, plus a softer side of Karukas his Positive albums only hint at. Eased along by the rhythm section of John Leftwich and Joel Taylor, Karukas weaves freshness into well-worn standards, offering a Vince Guaraldi-like treatment of "Oh Tannenbaum," simplifying "White Christmas" to haunting effect, and saving his most spirited improvs for a swinging, mind boggingly speedy tour through "Winter Wonderland." His acoustic piano touch has never been sweeter, crisper or more emotional than these interpretations. The ultimate in "Unplugged!" Jonathan Widran -LA JAZZ SCENE REVIEW