His Story:
Greg Piccolo is taking his unique style and
sound all over the US and turning on new fans every step of the way. Rhode Island based, Piccolo has never once wavered in his desire to perform and write his own music.
Piccolo's writing refuses to be defined as he
cleverly blends the simplicity of blues, the freedom of jazz, and the rhythms of reggae, all on a solid traditional R&B foundation. At the same time keeping the music fresh, exciting and with an ear for commercial
appeal. Touring is a way of life for Piccolo. He and his band make it look easy - crossing the country two or three times a year.
Watching Piccolo on stage is like experiencing a gentle, but often exhilarating roller
coaster ride. Fans easily float from the swinging style of Buddy Johnson, the emotion packed slow sax instrumentals of Lester Young and Jimmy Forest. The groove never stops as Piccolo moves from the rollicking honkers of Red
Prysock, to the steamy guitar licks referencing the Kings, Earl and BB; and to the acclaimed clever lyrics and uncategorized "gotta-move" rhythmic arrangements of his own compositions. As Piccolo says, "I just
try to play good music that will move your soul". And that he does!
Piccolo's credentials include 25 years with the world renowned Roomful of Blues serving as bandleader, lead singer, and tenor sax man. His
discography includes over 40 albums including recordings with Pat
Benetar, and Colin James, Blues Train with Big Joe Turner, and Butt Rockin' with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. An initial solo album,
Greg Piccolo, Heavy Juice on Blacktop Records, (1990), received universal acclaim. His first Fantasy recording Acid Blue (1995) was selected by "CD Review" magazine as one of their top 10 blues recordings in
1995. Piccolo is also featured in the recent Epic release, Stevie Ray
Vaughan and Double Trouble - "Live at Carnegie Hall", where he performed that historic evening with the Roomful of Blues Horns.
Nineteen ninety-eight brought releases by Jimmy Vaughan and Colin James, both featuring Greg Piccolo on sax. Notable was Jimmy
Vaughan's Grammy nominated instrumental "Ironic Twist", from his Epic release,
Out There. Greg was called to duty by Canadian phenon Colin James to assist in the horn section arrangement for James' Little Big Band II release on Warner-Canada.
Piccolo is the featured tenor on most cuts and co-wrote with James, "Triple Shot".
Piccolo's 1997 solo recording, Red Lights, (Fantasy) features eleven songs, with Piccolo writing seven,
including the title cut. Also included are tunes by Eddy
Vinson, Ray Charles, and Freddie Mitchell. Piccolo's rendition of Duke Ellington's "Blue Pepper" deserves a special
Iisten. Red Lights
presents Greg recording on the alto for the first time on "Acid Blue" and "Blue Pepper".
In March, 1999 Piccolo entered the studio to record his first tenor instrumental album. This album
pays tribute to a group of sax heroes of the 40's who played a big role in the style Piccolo has honed through the years. Piccolo carefully selected the material from his own vintage 78's including such gems as Red Prysock's
"Handclappin'", Ben Webster's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Lester Young's, "Lester Smooth's It Out", and Illinois
Jacquet's, "Illinois Blows the Blues". With equal care, Piccolo
selected acclaimed Nashville session pianist, Reese Wynans, Las Vegas based and touring drummer for Sam
Butera, Bobbie Ruggiero, and upright bass master from Providence RI, Marty
Ballou. With no prior rehearsal, the quartet
assembled and a "real swing" session was captured.
Greg Piccolo's current stage performance includes many selections from this session.
Solo Releases
Red Lights, Fantasy Records (1997), FCD - 9676-2Acid Blue, Fantasy Records (1995), FCD - 9673-2
Heavy Juice, Black Top Records (1990), BT 1061
Works recorded with "Roomful of Blues":
Dance All Night, Bullseye Blues (1994), CD BB 9555Live at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Rounder/Varrick (1987)
Glazed,
Earl King & Roomful of Blues, Black Top (1987)
Dressed Up to Get Messed Up, Rounder/Varrick (1984)
Blues Train, Big Joe Turner & Roomful of Blues, Muse (1983), Reissue: 32 Blues (1997)
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson & Roomful of Blues, Muse (1982), Reissue: 32 Blues (1997)
Hot Little Mama, Blue Flame (1981), Reissued on Rounder/Varrick (1981)
Shades of Blue,
Lou Rawls, Philadelphia International (1981), (one cut)
Let's Have a Party, Antilles (1978)
Roomful of Blues, Island (1977), Reissued on Rounder/Varrick (1977)
Greg Piccolo Guest Sessions:
Jimmie
Vaughan: Out There, Epic 1998
Colin James: Little Big Band II, Warner 1997
Ann Rabson: Music Makin' Mama, Alligator 1997
Pat Benetar: Gravity's Rainsbow, Chrysalis 1993
Greg Piccolo & Roomful horn section:
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, "Live at Carnegie Hall", Epic
The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Butt Rockin', Chrysalis
Lou Ann Barton, Old Enough, Epic
Pat Benetar,
True Love, Chrysalis
Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom, Black Top
Ronnie Earl, Smokin', Black Top
Hubert Sumlin's Party, Black top
Greg Piccolo has also recorded with:John Mooney, J.B. Hutto, Mitch Woods, Luther Johnson,
Tinsley Ellis, Johnny Seaton
Movie soundtrack compositions:Whiplash and Blue Times Blue in "The Good Mother" starring Diane Keaton, (Touchstone Pictures)
Dressed Up to Get Messed Up and Money Talks in "Complex World", ( Heartbreak Hits).
What others have said about Greg Piccolo:
"You are simply one of the
finest musicians I have ever heard - - sax, guitar, vocals, you truly excel. I am transported hearing you play….."
JP Brophy, Dead Goat Saloon, S.L.C. UT
"...Every Piccolo performance is a high energy experience of tasteful guitar licks, soulful vocals, and the hottest, honking R
&
B sax on this planet!" Bill Burdick, WRPI Radio
"Piccolo wails with wild abandon...resurrecting the sound and spirit of the legendary R&B sax heros of the 50's." Michael Point
"...the best songwriter in the jump blues style since the genre's heyday in the 30's and 40's." Geoffrey Himes, Washington Post
"...Piccolo has a passel of original music that molds modern funk, rock, soul, and rhythm and
blues into a sizzling contemporary blend. Jay N. Miller, Patriot Ledger
"From the opening notes, the band burns with a subtle intensity that showcases Piccolo's
strengths." Charlie Lange, KUSP Radio, Santa Cruz
"Tough, gutsy shake-the-rafters pure, unadulterated, electrifying R&B made the old fashioned
way - they burn it." David
Yonke, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio
"Vocalist and tenor saxophonist Greg Piccolo has a finely honed sensibility for creating songs true to the 1950's
style. George Kanzler, Houston Chronicle
"Too many high points to even begin to mention. Damn, these guys are good."
Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix
"Simply good solid R&B laid down by some of the finest in the business." Barry Strudwick, Baltimore Blues Society
"Piccolo has a very powerful and meaty voice, strong enough to occupy the musical center of a band
that might overshadow a lesser singer." David Hester, Raleigh News
