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2009, 2010 2011,2012 Greg is currently on tour with the John Mayall Band


Greg was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, a city on the near south side of Chicago.
He began playing the bass at age 15,
"I taught myself how to play. I practiced for hours just figuring things out”.
Greg studied many different bassists and their approach to the instrument, particularly looking to John Paul Jones and Jaco Pastorius for inspiration. “I also was listening to records by Jimi Hendrix, Little Walter and Curtis Mayfield, working out the bass lines”
“ When I was 17, I took the train into Chicago to see Muddy Waters play. Muddy and his band hit the stage and launched into "I'm A Man". I will never forget that moment. I had been listening to his records for years, but seeing him in person for the first time was overwhelming. I rode the train back home in a state of shock”.
That was the experience which motivated Greg to dive into the flourishing Chicago music scene to learn more. Hanging out in the Chicago Blues clubs, he patiently waited for a chance to sit in and prove his bass playing ability, and eventually a few offers for work came from the likes of Eddie Clearwater, James Cotton and soul singer Otis Clay.
When Greg was 21 years old, he did a show in Chicago with Otis Rush.
"Otis is such an amazing singer, and has always been one of my favorite guitar players.
I was excited that he called me to play. I guess the gig went well, because at the end of the evening he asked me to join his band! That was my first real job in the Blues world. Playing bass for Otis Rush”.
Over the next few years Greg played in Otis’ band, and also kept busy working with a variety of other artists.
"Looking back on it, I’m blessed to have been around the Chicago Blues scene at that particular time because I got to play with Albert Collins, Luther Allison, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Junior Wells and so many of the original blues musicians that have now passed away. It’s kind of an end of an era with all of them being gone. I just feel fortunate to have been there and learned directly from a lot of the guys that invented and defined the Blues".
It was one of the shows with Junior Wells that led to the meeting of Buddy Guy.
“At that time it was still the 'Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Blues Band', and they were looking for a new bass player”. Buddy liked what he heard in the aspiring young bassist, and a couple days later Greg found himself touring the U.S., then off to Japan and Brazil.
That turned out to be the beginning of a twelve-year stint in Buddy Guy’s Band.
After countless concert tours and festival dates crisscrossing the world, along with playing a dynamic role in three back-to-back Grammy Awards, Greg decided that twelve years was enough and wanted to pursue other avenues. He gave Buddy his notice. Soon after leaving Buddy Guy’s band, “I received a phone call from another great bluesman, my friend John Mayall”.
“John and I had been talking about doing something together for many years and I was happy to finally have the opportunity to do so. John truly is one of the most important bandleaders ever, and I am proud of being included in the exalted ranks of 'The Bluesbreakers'.
Not long after joining The Bluesbreakers, Greg was offered a tour with Jimmy Page. Although extremely happy in the Bluesbreakers, Greg “could not pass up the chance to play with one of the great guitarists of all time!” The consequence of getting to play with Mr. Page required a reluctant departure from The Bluesbreakers.
“ It was surreal playing all of those amazing Led Zeppelin songs on stage with
Jimmy Page. He is a special musician”.
Recently, Greg spent some time working with his friends Warren Haynes,
Matt Abts and their band, Gov’t Mule.

Some of the other artists Greg has performed with include:
Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers Band, Jeff Beck,
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin, Ronnie Wood, Lou Rawls,
Paul Rogers, Bob Weir (of the Grateful Dead), and The Black Crowes, just to name a few.
Greg also was invited by Mick Jagger to audition for the Rolling Stones, which he says was, “An amazing experience!”

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