"Hard Bop is the focus of most cuts often mixed with rhythms and sounds of the Far East. All show flair, imaginative application of tempo and harmony, and unexpected jagged rhythmic diversions guaranteed to keep listener attention. Integration is recommended!” - All Music Guide, USA

"Chako, the composer, takes his inspiration from the rich Blue Note lode. Echoes of Shorter, Hancock,and Dorham reverberate through these tunes, which all sound like they could have found a home in the Jazz Messengers' book." - Cadence Magazine, USA

"...a trip around the jazz galaxy... I think it's safe to say that Greg Chako and his magnificent band are one of the world's best kept secrets... don't hesitate in seeking out this essential jazz experience." - Keith 'MuzikMan' Hannaleck, JazzReviews

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"Guitarist Greg Chako is a forward thinker and this set presents his vision, serving as a musical road map. The combination of Chako's acoustic guitar with horns, percussion, keyboards, and acoustic bass lends his group a wholly original sound, with sweet surprises all over this set. These songs move through swing, the blues, and ballads. Sonically speaking, this set is outstanding. The cymbals are bright, the drums pop, and each instrument comes out sparkling and clear In this age of reissues and alternate takes, it's refreshing to hear jazz that takes some chances and looks the future right in the eye" - All About Jazz.com

"His guitar shines and he creates a new style, breathing exotic jazz-ethno music full of spirit and solid musical foundation" - Jazz Dimensions, Germany

"With a vibrant recorded presence, this is HUGELY enjoyable stuff!" - Cadence, New York

"...This is music that transcends geographic boundaries and cultures, and communicates the happiness and friendship that all music should provide... well-crafted, harmonically strong, with catchy, memorable melodies... Chakos' tone and phrasing are exceptional!" - Professor Vince Lewis, for Just Jazz Guitar, USA

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"...old standbys get spiced up with latin rhythms, experiencing a sudden ubiquity and fresh sound... The originals have a contemporary sound, colored with understated funk and backbeats, and girded with interesting structures... He uses his thumb to execute winningly lyrical lines made up of pillow-like notes... well worth exploring." - Cadence Magazine, USA

"...warm, mellow guitar with gently flowing lines and occasional bursts of lush chords... Greg favors the use of his thumb to produce the rich sound he achieves... neatly pulsating lines, melodic, swinging and inventive. The music swings compulsively at all times... the leader's exotic sound and constantly inventive lines, the mainstream appeal of familiar material being given a refreshing twist, and a driving rhythmn section..." - Jazz Journal, England

"Enthusiasts will enjoy this album... relaxed groove, lovely trio settings, unusually bright post bebop style... and octaves are all handled authoritatively... a wonderful showcase for Chako." - Just Jazz Guitar, USA

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Guitarist and composer Greg Chako is the consummate musician who, despite personal hardships in his life, dedicates himself to the art of jazz with every fiber of his being, producing one fine album after another. Everybody's Got a Name is his ninth album overall, and fourth in a little over a two-year period. The music contained in his previous releases explored the expressive side of his creative compositions, and helped establish Chako as a master guitarist. With only three standards on the program, the majority of the music presented on Everybody's Got a Name features original compositions and arrangements.

All-original compositions for Bass-Guitar duets; The bass is on equal footing with the guitar.

“These guys are attached at the hip capturing the essence of each track with great feeling and clarity … Extremely polished … covers a great deal of moods and harmonic diversity in the entire superb program. There are huge surprises too! This is World-Class and will inspire repeated listening. BRAVO to two consummate Jazz musicians” - Rufus Reid, Jazz Bassist/Composer

“Greg set out to feature the bassist in more than an accompanying role with these compositions and it is really a seamless conversation between two great players. This is some beautiful music! - Dave Stryker, World-renowned jazz guitarist, composer, educator and recording artist”

"Masterful precision ... constantly lyrical and swinging ... Absolutely amazing! They’ve redefined playing together!” - Ron McClure, World-Renowned Jazz Bassist

“There have been many duet collaborations in the jazz world but none as interesting, challenging and groundbreaking as this one." - Edward Blanco, Allaboutjazz.com and WDNA.88.9FM

“Beautiful CD!! Phenomenal interplay, great compositions, and a vibe that is all it's own due the players' singular voices and mutual respect. Played with courage and great artistry” - Pete Bernstein, Jazz Guitarist 

The skilled guitarist and composer performs ten of his originals in a group with bassist Mason Daugherty, drummer Michael Meloy, former Miles Davis percussionist Steve Thornton and, on three of the selections, pianist Wayne Yeager. Life After 40 is the latest milestone in Greg Chako’s career. He is heard in prime form throughout the entire album, making every perfectly-placed note count. His music is both accessible and consistently creative, melodic yet full of unpredictable moments. - Scott Yanow

“The best jazz improvisation going beyond the repetition of licks and the various pet phrases . . . Spontaneous melodic development . . . the zenith of this art form . . . An extemporaneous ability to create coherent melodic statements and to develop them on the fly with impeccable rhythm and phrasing . . . keeps the listener engaged! He never disappoints!”

• Joe Finn, Jazz Guitarist

These live recordings capture me in my prime as a performance artist on the Japanese jazz scene and incidentally, are the first records I’ve ever made with the guitar, piano, bass & drums quartet format. Featuring Gene Jackson on drums, Hiroshi Tanaka on piano, and Brent Nussey on bass.

These live recordings capture me in my prime as a performance artist on the Japanese jazz scene and incidentally, are the first records I’ve ever made with the guitar, piano, bass & drums quartet format.

After suffering through an 8-year recording hiatus, Greg Chako rose up in 2022 like a 'phoenix from the ashes' to record his 11th album as a leader, which features an all-original set of 10 songs, ranging in style from bluesy and traditional guitar-organ-drums trio, to a Brazilian-flavored Sextet with percussion and 2 vocalists. The format alternates vocal and instrumental songs, with trio, quartet, quintet and sextet, featuring the tenor and soprano sax of Brooks Giles.

“Talk about a reality check on so many levels. What kind of balls does it take to record a double album of all original jazz in four days and make it sound like a classic Bluenote, World Pacific or Verve date? Someone must have grown up eating Rudy Van Gelder sessions for breakfast to absorb this kind of vibe. Chako straddles being familiar and unique in the same interval with such style that you're sure you've been here before but you know you haven't. This is simply a delightful heaping helping of cool jazz that moves and grooves and is sure to win you over before the first track is over. Why is this guy recording for his own label? You put the machine behind this cat and you could crash Amazon's servers.” - Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap

"...high quality ensemble playing and soloing... the recording/mix are superior, and make listening to Chako`s compelling performance all the more enjoyable." - Jazz Improv Magazine, USA

"...tight, flowing sextet, powered by the rhythms from Greg’s guitar... varied, with splashes of Latin American music, Indian, and other world cultures complementing the swinging, straight-a-head mainstream adventure!" - Cadence Magazine, New York

Renowned guitarist-composer Greg Chako unveils his latest endeavor, "Standard Roots," a captivating compilation of classic jazz standards performed with his stellar trio. With over 72 minutes of music, including an additional 23+ minutes on the digital version, Chako revisits his musical origins, embracing the timeless allure of the Great American Songbook. In a departure from his original compositions, Chako effortlessly navigates Swing, Latin, and Ballad time feels, breathing new life into familiar melodies like "Just Friends" and Jobim's "Triste." Beyond the standards, Chako injects his signature style into modern jazz compositions and blues classics, showcasing his mastery of the guitar, notably played with his thumb. Critics hail Chako's warm tone, inventive lines, and compelling rhythm section, cementing "Standard Roots" as a standout addition to his illustrious discography.