www.pledgemusic.com/greggkarukas

I’m here in Nightowl Studios putting the finishing touches on my 1st new CD in 5 years called Soul Secrets and want to share the exciting news. I’ve always thought it would be cool to bring you, the listener, into the process and offer something special to my fans, so I have partnered with PLEDGEMUSIC to be the exclusive site to reveal some of the “SECRETS” behind my new music and I invite you to take this journey with me. Besides previews, pre-orders, signed CD’s and other premiums, you have the opportunity to be listed in the credits or, even cooler, help me name and dedicate a song on this CD to the person of your choice. Hurry up on those, as we go to press pretty soon. You can hang at a session in the studio with me…… We’ll have an intimate Wine & CD listening gathering, or, I’ve saved one of the best for last; a personal invitation for you and a guest to attend our annual Karukas Family Holiday Party, where many of your favorite LA based musicians join us to celebrate the Holidays with lots of jamming. Soul Secrets features my long-time friends: Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Ricardo Silveira, Eric Valentine, Nate Phillips, Michael O’Neill, James Harrah, Adam Hawley, vocalists Shelby Flint and Ron Boustead; violinist Charlie Bisharat, Luis Conte and Vincent Ingala!! There is lots of grand piano, and also quite a bit of some classic keyboards that I grew up with: Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Hammond B3 and Minimoog. So join me here on PledgeMusic and together we’ll uncover and launch “Soul Secrets”. Please spread the word and share the link. New music is coming and you’ll be the first to hear it. I really appreciate it. Thanks! Gregg

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Gregg wins Grammy

One of urban contemporary jazz’s most versatile and acclaimed artists over the past 25 years, keyboardist/composer, and Greek/American, Gregg Karukas is now a Grammy Award winner for producing, engineering, co-writing and arranging Omar Akram’s Echoes of Love, which won in the New Age Album category at the 55th Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles February 10.

On Echoes of Love, as well as on Akram’s 2007 recording Secret Journey, Karukas’ ability to seamlessly blend his own melodic writing and playing to match Akram’s flowing piano style has earned the project rave reviews from fans of instrumental music worldwide, and especially on Youtube. In composing and arranging the majority of the music on this Grammy winning recording, Karukas employs an orchestral palette and a universe of exotic sounds in his state-of-the-art studio. He uses a Disklavier and computers with highly detailed sampled instruments - from grand piano and the traditional orchestral families (strings, woodwinds, etc.) to a myriad of ethnic percussion sounds and loops from all over the globe. Some tracks start as very simple, romantic melodic ideas that develop into cinematic orchestral climaxes; others are full blown world groove adventures.

One the songs are "demoed", the melodies and arrangements are then transcribed and printed from the computer for the guest musicians, who are given plenty of solo room to show off their own unique talents – resulting in a project full of exciting interplay and powerful dynamics. Veteran violinist Charlie Bisharat and guitarist Ramon Stagnaro (renowned for their many years recording and touring with Yanni) are featured on Omar's recent releases; their work on Echoes of Love was augmented by Mark Hollingsworth on wood flutes and percussionist Brian Kilgore and tabla player Melad Youssofi.

Karukas has been Akram’s producer and collaborator on his last three recordings, thanks to a recommendation from New Age pioneer and Grammy winning pianist David Lanz. Gregg produced tracks on Lanz’s smooth jazz breakthrough CD Finding Paradise in 2002. Omar celebrates Gregg's contributions in the CD's liner notes: “Gregg: This album is the result of your creative genius. It has been an honor to work with you and call you my friend.” Karukas says, ”I have been fortunate to be involved with Omar and quite a few artists in the early stages of their careers. The challenge of presenting their raw talents in “hi-fi stereo” with the best musicians and collaborating on different styles of music is always fun. This award is quite a surprise and an incredible honor.”

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Spring 2012

Hi All,

Here is the latest from the Spring whirlwind of musical and otherwise Karukas "stuff".

I will be playing some fun shows coming up, many all-star lineups. It is one of my favorite challenges to handle multi-keyboards and be the "orchestra" for some great artists. Then I also get to step out and play my music with some of the best musicians in the world.

This weekend Sat. April 28 is the Temecula Wine and Music Festival. Look at the flyer. Pretty cool. I'll be doing my own mini set, and backing Deniece Williams, Ray Parker Jr., Kevin Toney, Michael Paulo, Freddie Washington and whoever else needs me.

Then, May 4, at La Quinta in Palm Desert its the great Jeffrey Osborne. I'll be opening the show and also playing keys with Jeffrey. The band is: Michael Paulo, Eric Valentine, plus Kevin Chokan and C.C. Thomas (from Jeffrey Osborne's band).

May 6 at Spaghettini is "Karukas / Koz Day". 1st it is the Karukas/Koz - My Big Fat Greek Brunch 11-2 to celebrate the upcoming Dave Koz Cruise to Greece and Italy in 2013 (the 2012 Koz Cruise to Spain, France and Italy is sold out). We'll be playing my music and a few of Dave's songs, and have some special guests show up to sit in.

Then in the evening: 6:30pm - 9:30pm will be mostly all Karukas music, some new songs I'm breaking in before recording, with a few Paulo songs added. The band is: Michael Paulo, Michael O'Neill, Eric Valentine, and C.C. Thomas.

May and into the Summer, I'll be with Peter White and Euge Groove all over, in partuicular: June 2 at Capital Jazz Fest, in my hometown, MD.... home state.

June 5, I'll be welcoming incredible guitarist Ricardo Silveira, visiting from Brazil, at Cafe Cordiale. Jamming. Japan with Peter June 14-16 at Cotton Club, some Dave Koz shows later in the Summer. A Jazz Attack show with Gerald Albright, Rick Braun and Peter in July 21 Norfolk, VA.

I'll play a few Karukas shows later in the Summer, dates: TBA.

In between all this, I am working on new songs for my next CD (number 12!). I know it takes me longer than we all wish between solo CD's, but I am the type that writes LOTS of song ideas, and then I have to pick the BEST; the ones that still get me on the 4th and 10th listen, and then arrange and produce them. You can't force that. Thanks for your inquiries and support. I hope it will be soon.

On the home front, I am extremely proud of my sons, who are both going strong with music, and acedemics. Stevie on drums/orchestral percussion, and Alex on guitar, songwriting, acting and singing in musical theater.....he has already released a collection of songs on bandcamp.com. http://alexkarukas.bandcamp.com/

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Alex and the H.S. Jazz Band are going to Reno for a big Jazz Band Fest. competition this weekend and he will be featured on a cool arrangement of the Pat Metheny song Minuano 6/8......Pretty cool, considering that Pat is one of my all time favorite artists, and we have been waiting years for him to tour again with the full Pat Metheny Group so we can take the kids.....eventually.

We are so grateful that we still have a big, supportive music program at our High School, with a great director, Marty Martone, who all the kids love........and guess who holds it all down while I'm out on the road or in the studio, keeping track and shuttling our kids to the countless rehearsals, band fests, etc.? My lovely wife, Yvonne. Ooooh, Mother's Day coming up. Happy Spring, GK

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