Gregg Karukas | "Serenata"

After a four-year hiatus, Grammy-winning composer, keyboardist, and producer, Gregg Karukas, is releasing Serenata, his 13th CD. This is Karukas’ first solo piano album and his first recording since losing his wife to cancer. On Serenata, Karukas presents romantic impressions of classic songs from iconic Brazilian artists Milton Nascimento and Dori Caymmi as well as new and reimagined Karukas originals. Except for his 1993 holiday jazz trio album, this is the first time he has included tunes penned by other composers. A prolific, genre crossing veteran of Contemporary Jazz, Brazilian, New Age and R&B/Pop, Gregg looks back on his years touring with Brazilian artists Sergio Mendes, Dori Caymmi and Ricardo Silveira in the 1990's as some of his favorite musical experiences.

“Serenata is a pleasant surprise,.... very lyrical. It comes through that you really "get" the music and have a deep appreciation of these songs." Karukas – a longtime collaborator with the likes of Dori Caymmi and Sergio Mendes – not only has the discerning taste to pick these songs to interpret, but also the chops and the right sensibility to interpret them for a new generation.” Chris McGowan, author of The Brazilian Sound and The Brazilian Music Book

A prolific recording artist, with 11 all-original albums and a string of #1 Radio hits, Gregg has also contributed to over 100 albums for other artists and has produced, arranged and/or engineered a vast array of projects at his own Nightowl Studios. Gregg's compositions have been recorded by George Benson, Pauline Wilson (from Seawind), Kenia and Deniece Williams, to name a few. Gregg Karukas is a soulful and versatile composer and pianist whose music speaks in many languages. Always inventive, he once again takes his art in new directions with this stellar solo project. Serenata is a polished gem by a seasoned artist who has found a new voice.