As we move into Thanksgiving week, I find myself filled with a deep and genuine sense of gratitude—not only for the exciting musical opportunities unfolding around me, but for the relationships that have shaped, supported, and inspired my journey this…
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The Perfect Local Gig!
There are various elements to what constitutes the perfect gig in my opinion, and it's not only about the money one makes. It's also about WHO you're playing with, and WHO you're playing for . . . i.e. the environment…
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From International Recognition to Local Anonymity.
The other night, during a break from our trio show at Vivaldi's Restaurant in The Symphony Hotel in Downtown Cincinnati, I met a charming couple, the wife from Cincy and the husband from Eastern Pennsylvania/New York. The man commented on…
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The Jazzman Fall 2024 Update
Next week I go into the studio to record a ‘sequel’ to Standard Roots with my trio featuring bassist Mason Daugherty and drummer Michael Meloy. It will consist of all ‘first-takes’ from the Great American Songbook . . . songs…
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Cookin' w/Jazz!
In between preparing for gigs, recordings and teaching music, I can get pretty busy in the kitchen! I made my own version of a Morrocan Tomato Soup a couple days ago: 1 lb of Garbanzo Beans, LOTS of fresh tomatoes…
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"These guys are attached at the hip capturing the essences of each track with great feeling and clarity" - Rufus Reid
FINALLY, a premier performance in Cincinnati of a great record! The date is Thurs. Sept. 19th, ONE NIGHT ONLY!: https://gregchako.com/event/5713360/693613424/greg-chako-mason-daugherty-duet
When this album first came out, my friend bassist Ron McClure reviewed it and said:
"Masterful precision ...…
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The Jazzman - A Life Playing & Promoting - New Video Release
2024 has brought many highs and some scary lows too. On the high side, I released a trio album of all-originals with former Miles Davis alumni Steve Thornton adding a plethora of Latin percussion! Then I went back to my…
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Marketer or Musician?
These days where I live, most bars and (some) restaurants are interested only in hiring artists and bands that can draw a new crowd that their venues don't already have! Sometimes, the venue doesn't have enough of its own loyal…
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Gratitude for a life FILLED with MUSIC and good folks!
My newest group, David and the HeartStrings, competed last Sunday in the Cincy Blues Challenge @Elements Eatery. We didn't win, but we had a good time as we always do when we perform together! We begin recording our first…
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Teaching, the noblest of professions.
My mother was a career teacher for Cincinnati Public Schools and I never thought I'd follow in her footsteps as a teacher, but I did! I received my first formal teacher training more than 20 years ago, with courses such…
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