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Jazz Articles about Phil DeGreg
Kent Engelhardt & Stephen Enos: Madd For Tadd
by Jack Bowers
The masterworks on this second edition of Madd for Tadd are presented on two discs, one of which bears the name of one of composer/pianist Tadd Dameron's classic themes, Our Delight." Oddly, the other is named for the only non-Dameronian item on the menu, Central Avenue Swing," written by saxophonist and Dameron chronicler Kent Engelhardt who adapted the composer's tasteful charts for a big band and co-leads the ensemble with trumpeter Steve Enos. Although he is most ...
read morePhil DeGreg: Queen City Blues
by Mike Jurkovic
Jaunty recordings like pianist Phil DeGreg's latest Queen City Blue are what we all need from time to time to just kick back and catch our breath for a few minutes or drive from here to there without all the pressing needs, traffic roadblocks, and political wrong-headedness closing in. No grand statements, no big names. Just three trusted, Ohio-based jazz journeymen, exponents, advocates, and devoted educators--DeGreg, along with studied bassist Aaron Jacobs and solid time keeping from drummer John Taylor--playing ...
read morePhil DeGreg: Cincinnati Jazz Heavyweight
by Michael Shults
Cincinnati-based pianist Phil DeGreg has made his mark in the jazz world over the past three decades as a recording artist, composer, and pedagogue. An alumnus of the Woody Herman band, DeGreg boasts ten recordings as a leader, and has appeared alongside J.J. Johnson on the legendary trombonist's video Live in Concert (City Hall, 2007). Since 1991, he has been a Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati's esteemed College Conservatory of Music, and his 1994 text Jazz ...
read morePhil DeGreg: Whirl Away
by Jim Santella
Pianist Phil DeGreg combines hot bop, the blues, and modal melodies on his second J Curve album. His modern mainstream approach to jazz emphasizes the lyrical side, while supplying lively rhythmic substance. DeGreg’s quintet moves from unison saxophone & guitar or unison piano & guitar to extended solo work, keeping each piece lively through syncopation and gentle surprises. Alternating the faster action with slower, piano trio ballads, DeGreg offers the best of both worlds.
In an interesting twist of fate, ...
read morePhil DeGreg: Whirl Away
by Jim Santella
Pianist Phil DeGreg combines hot bop, the blues, and modal melodies on his second J Curve album. His modern mainstream approach to jazz emphasizes the lyrical side, while supplying lively rhythmic substance. DeGreg’s quintet moves from unison saxophone & guitar or unison piano & guitar to extended solo work, keeping each piece lively through syncopation and gentle surprises. Alternating the faster action with slower, piano trio ballads, DeGreg offers the best of both worlds.
In an interesting twist of fate, ...
read morePhil DeGreg: The Green Gate
by Jim Santella
From the mainstream, pianist Phil DeGreg leads his trio and quartet through a varied program of material, both familiar and fresh. The pianist, whose experience includes work with Slide Hampton, Stanley Turrentine, Eddie Harris, and Woody Herman’s orchestra, is an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Real Audio clips from four of the album’s tracks may be found at http://www.jcurverecords.com/releases.html .
Bouncin’ With Bud" opens the session and offers a good look ...
read morePhil DeGreg: The Green Gate
by Jack Bowers
While I’ve always found it difficult (if not impossible) to identify pianists in a blindfold test (okay, I think I could name Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner and a few others), I do know enough to separate the sheep from the goats — in other words, I think I can tell who the players are, who swings and who doesn’t. Phil DeGreg is definitely a player, abundant evidence of which can be found on his enormously pleasurable J Seven debut, The ...
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