...a very skilled jazz guitarist and composer who performs music in his own individual voice with constant creativity... full of singable melodies, he makes every perfectly-placed note count. His music is both accessible and constantly creative, melodic yet full of unpredictable moments.
—Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist
This concert was the brainchild of my friend and fan, Edward Blanco. He suggested the appealing possibility of my doing a concert at WDNA’s Jazz Gallery years ago, but due to life circumstances, not the least of which was COVID 19, we weren’t sure until much later if the idea would ever actually materialize.
During a 2021 visit to Miami, Ed introduced me to bassist Jamie Ousley and that’s when the three of us began planning this concert in earnest. I began writing music for the album directly upon my return to Cincinnati. But when we realized in 2022 that the show might not happen, I released all the new Miami Project material I’d composed on my Life After 40 album which came out on January 5th, 2023.
But fortunately, none of the parties involved gave up on the project, and finally, in December of 2023, I returned to Miami for a glorious week of music as an honored house-guest of Ed and his lovely wife, Pilar. With Jaime’s assistance, I was featured with truly stellar players in an all-original program (except for the Cole Porter standard “Love for Sale"). The great vibe and hospitality I experienced in Miami was such that I really didn’t want to leave Miami at all, and I certainly look forward to returning!
About Greg Chako In a pro career spanning 40 years and five countries, Cincinnati-born jazz guitarist Greg Chako has released 21 albums and been the subject of a documentary called, An American Cat in the Lion City, which is based on his prolific recording and performance career in the Far East where he evolved into a masterful, expressive composer with rich story telling abilities. His varied arrangements and over 70 recorded original compositions merge mainstream, hard bop, latin & world music. His music has spent time on the Jazzweek, CMJ and RMR Jazz Charts, including multiple Top Ten spots, and has consistently received critical acclaim from the Jazz community.
During a 2021 visit to Miami, Ed introduced me to bassist Jamie Ousley and that’s when the three of us began planning this concert in earnest. I began writing music for the album directly upon my return to Cincinnati. But when we realized in 2022 that the show might not happen, I released all the new Miami Project material I’d composed on my Life After 40 album which came out on January 5th, 2023.
But fortunately, none of the parties involved gave up on the project, and finally, in December of 2023, I returned to Miami for a glorious week of music as an honored house-guest of Ed and his lovely wife, Pilar. With Jaime’s assistance, I was featured with truly stellar players in an all-original program (except for the Cole Porter standard “Love for Sale"). The great vibe and hospitality I experienced in Miami was such that I really didn’t want to leave Miami at all, and I certainly look forward to returning!
About Greg Chako In a pro career spanning 40 years and five countries, Cincinnati-born jazz guitarist Greg Chako has released 21 albums and been the subject of a documentary called, An American Cat in the Lion City, which is based on his prolific recording and performance career in the Far East where he evolved into a masterful, expressive composer with rich story telling abilities. His varied arrangements and over 70 recorded original compositions merge mainstream, hard bop, latin & world music. His music has spent time on the Jazzweek, CMJ and RMR Jazz Charts, including multiple Top Ten spots, and has consistently received critical acclaim from the Jazz community.
In 2022, he signed with Mint 400 Records and Raining Music, which has set him on track to exceed his recording success in Asia. He released a brand new album featuring primarily Cincinnati-based musicians, Friends, Old and New in late 2022, and his album released in May 2023, A Place for Bass, has gained glowing reviews from Dave Stryker, Rufus Reid, Peter Bernstein, John Clayton, and many others. Yokohama Live! came out September 2023 and Xmas Time—Live in Izu Nagaoka released December 1st, 2023. Greg's newest album is titled Life After 40, which released January 5th, 2024. This new release The Miami Project makes 21 albums for Chako.
For more information contact Scott Thompson Public Relations.
