Greg Skaff

John Coltrane & Greg Skaff

by Joe Dimino
August 15, 2021

From one of the finest guitarists in the world of jazz, we start the 712th Episode of Neon Jazz with Greg Skaff and the title track off his 2021 album Polaris. Witha focus on new releases we present Eric Goletz, Greg Smith and Falkner Evans. The Denver super group The Jazz Worms is also a part of this new music mix. We finish the show with a gem from Hailu Mergia off a 1975 re-issue of his album Tezeta/ Dig ...

Greg Skaff: Polaris

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 16, 2021

The pandemic year of 2020 brought with it very little in terms of artistic endeavors, thanks to lockdowns and stay home orders. Yet even under extreme conditions, guitarist Greg Skaff managed to commit to tape some genuinely sublime music that is sure to be remembered as one of 2021'a most memorable releases. Of course, Skaff has been at the forefront of modern jazz guitar since his first big break in the '80s working with the legendary Stanley Turrentine.

Greg Skaff: Soulmation

by Dan Bilawsky
April 22, 2017

Guitarist Greg Skaff is all about the grease, grit, and grooves on Soulmation. It's a logical extension of his previous work--guitar-fronted organ group dates like East Harlem Skyline (Zoho Music, 2009) and 116th & Park (Zoho Music, 2012)--but it's a tad heavier, raunchier, and funkier than anything Skaff threw us on those records. His approach here is equal parts soul jazz, jam band, and unadulterated rock, nodding toward everybody from Grant Green to Lenny Kravitz to Jimi Hendrix.

Greg Skaff: East Harlem Skyline

by Woodrow Wilkins
February 3, 2009

The organ-led trio has long been a fascination for guitarist Greg Skaff--especially when a guitar is involved. So it follows that he borrows from the playbooks of guitarists like George Benson and Wes Montgomery, and organists like Jimmy Smith and Don Patterson.East Harlem Skyline brings Skaff together with Hammond B-3 organists George Colligan and George Laks, with Darryl Jones on electric bass and drummers Charley Drayton and E.J. Strickland. The collection includes six Skaff compositions and covers of ...

Greg Skaff: Ellington Boulevard

by John Kelman
November 3, 2004

Recording studios can be cold and uninviting places. Without the ambience of a live room and an eager audience, some artists are challenged to capture the fire and the energy that results from the feedback of a receptive group of listeners. As wonderful as many studio recordings are, they don't always succeed in portraying what the group is really about. Watching Hudson Music's video of The Peter Erskine Trio Live at Jazz Baltica versus any of the trio's ECM recordings ...

Greg Skaff: Blues for Mr. T

by C. Michael Bailey
October 10, 2003

This year has seen an organ renaissance. Organ jazz had its genesis in Fred Longshaw, who performed with a reed organ on the 1925 Bessie Smith recording of "St. Louis Blues." Fats Waller was a pipe organ virtuoso. Count Basie introduced the organ into swing music, giving way to Wild Bill Davis, who predicted Jimmy Smith and soul jazz. And then there was Jimmy Smith and all who came after. Larry Young learned from Miles Davis and developed organ practice ...

Greg Skaff: Blues For Mr. T

by David A. Orthmann
October 7, 2003

Greg Skaff’s second disc as a leader charts an impressive course between the familiar, agreeable parameters of soul-jazz and a more open ended, blowing-based approach. The guitarist, Hammond B-3 organist Mike LeDonne, and drummer Joe Farnsworth (all of whom frequently play in various bands at Smoke, a club in New York City that serves as a haven for straight-ahead bands and progressive funk ensembles) make up a bracing, rhythmically charged trio. Throughout a program of six appealing originals, plus tunes ...

Greg Skaff Releases Instrumental Jazz CD "East Harlem Skyline"

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
February 11, 2009

New York, NY-February 9, 2009 - Greg Skaff brings the harmony of life and expertise to every song he creates. Just as they were on his previous release on Zoho Music, Ellington Boulevard, the spirits of guitar and organ trios of the past are honored with the new release East Harlem Skyline. Skaff creates a bevy of tasteful originals while paying tribute to legendary artists such as Strayhorn, Shorter, and modern day alternative performers as Fionna Apple.
read more

169 Bar Hosts Jazz Vocalist Sarah Lynch with Greg Skaff, Phil Palombi & Mark Ferber

Source: All About Jazz
August 22, 2005

New York City-based vocalist Sarah Lynch appears Monday, August 22nd at 169 Bar with Greg Skaff on guitar, Phil Palombi on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums.

Greg Skaff's latest CD, “Ellington Boulevard", is on the Zoho record label and has garnered critical praise. In addition to leading his own trio, he also works regularly with Bobby Watson, David “Fathead" Newman, and Gloria Lynne.

Bassist Phil Palombi, who plays both internationally and in New York, performs and records with such ...
read more

Monday Monday: 169 Bar Hosts Jazz Vocalist Sarah Lynch with Greg Skaff, Phil Palombi & Mark Ferber

Source: All About Jazz
August 19, 2005

New York City-based vocalist Sarah Lynch appears Monday, August 22nd at 169 Bar with Greg Skaff on guitar, Phil Palombi on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums.

Greg Skaff's latest CD, “Ellington Boulevard", is on the Zoho record label and has garnered critical praise. In addition to leading his own trio, he also works regularly with Bobby Watson, David “Fathead" Newman, and Gloria Lynne.

Bassist Phil Palombi, who plays both internationally and in New York, performs and records with such ...
read more

Jazz Vocalist Sarah Lynch at 169 Bar Monday with Greg Skaff, Phil Palombi & Mark Ferber

Source: All About Jazz
August 18, 2005

New York City-based vocalist Sarah Lynch appears Monday, August 22nd at 169 Bar with Greg Skaff on guitar, Phil Palombi on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums.

Greg Skaff's latest CD, “Ellington Boulevard", is on the Zoho record label and has garnered critical praise. In addition to leading his own trio, he also works regularly with Bobby Watson, David “Fathead" Newman, and Gloria Lynne.

Bassist Phil Palombi, who plays both internationally and in New York, performs and records with such ...
read more

Sarah Lynch, Greg Skaff, Phil Palombi & Mark Ferber at 169 Bar Monday

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

New York City-based vocalist Sarah Lynch appears Monday, August 22nd at 169 Bar with Greg Skaff on guitar, Phil Palombi on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums.

Greg Skaff's latest CD, “Ellington Boulevard", is on the Zoho record label and has garnered critical praise. In addition to leading his own trio, he also works regularly with Bobby Watson, David “Fathead" Newman, and Gloria Lynne.

Bassist Phil Palombi, who plays both internationally and in New York, performs and records with such ...
read more