Signs of Life - AppleJazz Records and CDs

SIGNS OF LIFE
Gregory Simmons

Wilson Pickett spotted Greg Simmons playing guitar in a fusion band at the Tralfamadore in Buffalo in the late '70s. He was so impressed he insisted that the owners have Greg add his signature to the list of jazz greats that the brothers collected at the Tralf. Greg continued to play in a variety of bands to enthusiastic crowds in the northeast and South Florida throughout the '80s and '90s. Now as a seasoned pro, Greg has focused his attention on composing original material and has many projects in the works. This most recent release, Signs Of Life, combines the incredible talents of Dave Hanlon on drums, Edgar Pagan on 6-string bass, Lisa Alibrandi on vocals and Rick Parente on percussion. Mastered by Grammy Award winner Bob Katz of Digital Domain in Orlando, this CD tells a beautiful story with catchy melodies, danceable grooves and great musicianship - definitely more than just another contemporary jazz CD. Signs Of Life has heart and soul - the kind of CD you can listen to every day for weeks and still enjoy like the first time you heard it.

"Signs of Life is an extremely impressive debut, and contemporary jazz guitarist Greg Simmons is surprisingly authoritative on his first solo outing. He's also a first rate composer whose charts are catchy and instant grabbers. If I were asked to define his style I'd call it a mix of Island Funk and Street Samba. He's obviously someone who's going to be making his mark on the local scene in the months ahead. This is some of the best new jazz I've heard in years."

Frank Malfitano
Director, Syracuse Jazz Fest
Detroit International Jazz Festival

Musicians:

GREGORY SIMMONS guitars, bass
DAVE HANLON drums, percussion
EDGAR PAGAN 6 string bass
LISA ALIBRANDI vocal
RICK PARENTE congas

Record label:AppleJazz Records
catalog # AJCD0107

Produced by Gregory Simmons and Charlie Bertini
Recorded at SubCat Studios, Skaneateles, NY 10/2004

PRICE: $15

1) SIGNS OF LIFE 4:01
(Gregory Simmons)
2) CABO ROJO 4:04
(Gregory Simmons)
3) 11^th HOUR5:32
(Gregory Simmons)
4) AWAKE BUT DREAMING 6:44
(Gregory Simmons)
5) MOANA 5:43
(Gregory Simmons)
6) DUSK TO DAWN 6:56
(Gregory Simmons)
7) AJ’S TUNE 4:39
(Gregory Simmons)
8) A SIMPLE EXPLANATION 4:10
(Gregory Simmons)
9) FULL SAIL 4:05
(Gregory Simmons)
10) SAN GERMAN 4:47
(Gregory Simmons)

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