GMG
- Greg Spero – keys
- Makaya McCraven – drums
- Graham Czach – basses
Forging new sounds in experimental jazz and funk with a twist of rock, GMG is a creative instrumental collective where each musician contributes virtuosic playing to well structured, yet improvisatory songs that build and release tension with an energetic frenzy leaving people on their feet cheering and screaming for more.
Graham actually met Greg through playing with his dad, Peter, who is also a great accomplished pianist. They struck up a friendship and musical bond immediately. Through playing together on jazz gigs and other projects, they were introduced to Makaya, son of the great drummer Stephen McCraven who plays with the Archie Shepp band. The amazing chemistry, creativity, and friendship between these three spawned into the group collective GMG.
In 2008, GMG released their 1st album, which actually came from some free studio time they utilized and recorded the album in one day. Most of the songs were finished in the studio, on the spot, adding to the rawness of the recording making it almost sound live. After receiving a nomination for Best Jazz Album of the Year for the 2009 Chicago Music Awards, GMG decided to start working on a follow up polished studio album. The second GMG album is in the works set to come out in late 2010.
Greg Spero draws influence from American-born Jazz and Spanish flamenco rhythm, but finds great inspiration in the hardcore head-banging Western electric distortion, along with the heavy-hitting groove-based Hip-Hop rhythms. Greg is often recognized as one of the premiere up-and-coming pianists in Chicago.Greg currently produces New York R&B/Hip-Hop singer Guia Rivera and performs with his self-titled Jazz-Fusion trio and notable groups, the Frank Catalano Quintet, The Jennifer Hartswick Band, Van Ghost and Todd Carey. Greg also performs with Harrison Bankhead, Leon Joyce (of the Ramsey Lewis Trio), Frank Russell, Dede Sampio, and Robert Lee Irving III (the latter three of the Miles Davis ensembles).
Makaya McCraven has an expanded perspective on what music can do for people, no matter what the expression. Working with many styles of music including Brazilian, Funk, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Avante-Garde and Folk has given Makaya the opportunity to perform and record with many great musicians and bands, along with touring the US, Europe and the Caribbean. He has shared the stage with The Wailers, 50 Cent, Rhazel, Reel Big Fish, The Wutang Clan, My Morning Jacket, Little Brother and numerous other great acts world-wide.Makaya is co-founder of Cold Duck Complex, displaying a diverse musical perspective through the lens of Hip-Hop, and the musical director of The Pushkin in MA, where you can find him performing regularly.
