Greg Porée

Greg Porée is an accomplished composer, arranger, producer and guitarist and has been fortunate enough to build his career in Los Angeles around music. His instrument is the guitar and currently, his “day job” is being the lead guitarist on the BBC hit show ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Having grown up in a multi-cultural environment, Greg Porée has always been deeply influenced by the exposure to diverse styles of music, ranging from Bach to Beatles, and from Villa-Lobos to Motown. Apart from always having been musically active in film and television he has worked as a guitarist, musical director, arranger and producer with the most talented musicians ranging from Ray Charles and Diana Ross to Sting and Phoebe Snow. He can be heard on landmark albums from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Stanley Turrentine, Randy Crawford, Albert King, Ahmad Jamal, Benny Golson and James Blunt. As a musical director his credits include Sonny and Cher,The Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips and Joan Baez. His third solo album 'Inventions' features world-renowned jazz artists like Patrice Rushen, Karen Briggs, Bryan Pezzone and Keith Jones. __________________________________ REVIEW: Greg Porée, ‘Inventions’ by Scott Yanow ‘Inventions’ is Greg Porée's musical vision. He contributed all 12 pieces and his guitar playing is always a factor, whether as as a solo voice or as an accompanist. Of his originals, several deserve to become standards. The emphasis is on strong melodies and melodic development, all of it performed with infectious rhythms, soulful phrasing and a strong musical purpose. A superior musician whose work on acoustic guitar is distinctive, versatile and inventive, Greg Porée shows throughout ‘Inventions’ why he is so highly respected by his fellow musicians. The music reflects his wide interests, mixing together jazz improvisation with the flavor of cultures from several countries, including Cuba, Argentina, Spain or France. Along the way, he plays a bit of funk, the blues “City Lights” and an adaptation of a classical piece by Johann Sebastian Bach that is called “Bach Minuet au Porée.” No matter what the instrumental setting or genre, the soulful music always grooves while offering plenty of subtle surprises. Porée is particularly generous in featuring his sidemen. Violinist Miguel Atwood Ferguson is showcased on the opening “Bring It On” Paul Cartwright takes several notable violin solos throughout the set, singer Frances Livings is a major asset on two songs, and other key musicians include Nick Ariondo on accordion, keyboardist Patrice Rushen, and saxophonists Zane Musa and Robert Kyle. A set that is beyond simple classification, Greg Porée's Inventions is a memorable effort that is highly recommended to those who love melodic original music. Scott Yanow, author of ten books including “The Jazz Singers”, “Bebop”, “Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76” WELCOME! For your FREE mp3 of "Bring It On" go to "MY BAND"! Greg Porée is a guitarist, song-writer, arranger and producer from Los Angeles. His music is atmospheric with elements of cool jazz, driven by Latin, Tango-Nuevo and tasteful grooves.