Greg Piccolo joined Roomful of Blues in 1971. When Duke Robillard left in 1979, Greg, tenor sax, became the vocalist and spokesperson for the band. His name became synonymous with "Roomful of Blues" and he became their leader. When Sugar Ray Norcia joined as vocalist in 1994 Greg decided it was time to strike out on his own. Greg followed up his 1990 Blacktop Records solo recording "Heavy Juice" with three more recordings. "Acid Blue" and "Red Lights" were released on the Fantasy Label in 1995 and 1997 respectfully. Greg however still had a burning desire to record an instrumental album as a tribute to his saxophone influences. That project became a reality and his "Homage" album was released in 2001 on the Emit Doog Music label.

Greg breathes his soul into everything that he does. In 1995 he taught himself how to play the guitar, in the 1960's he taught himself how to play the saxophone. On "Homage" Greg pays tribute to his influences and he has always stated that his major influence was Illinois Jacquet. The album opens with Illinois Jacquet's "Illinois Blows the Blues". Next is Tiny Bradshaw's "Soft" and Eddie Lockjaw Davis's version of Cole Porter's "Night & Day". When I listen to Greg play Illinois Jacquet's "You Left Me All Alone" I begin to understand why he is Greg's biggest influence.

Greg follows it with Gene Ammons version of the Will Hudson tune "You're Not the Kind". Red Prysock's "Red's Blues follows. Nobody makes the sax squawk like Greg. Greg channels Lester Young on "Lester Smoothes It Out". So "smooth" is Greg's sound. Greg gets tones that are only reproduced with extreme feeling for the material; there is so much of him here. Greg's reverence for the material makes this much more than just an album of great sax standards.

Joe Houston's "Blow Joe Blow" is next. Red Prysock's "Handclappin'" follows. Bill Doggett's version of the Lucky Milander, Henry Glover "Ram-Bunk-Shush" provides for some classic Rn'B raunch. Greg plays the third Illinois Jacquet tune "Port of Rico" and closes with Ben Webster's version of the Harold Arlen classic "Over the Rainbow".

Greg Piccolo plays tenor sax and guitar, while Reese Wynans is featured on piano and organ. The rhythm section includes Marty Ballou, bass and Bobby Ruggiero, drums. Lately Greg has participated in projects with both Ronnie Earl (Now My Soul) and Jay Geils (Jay Giels Plays Jazz). It's been awhile since we've seen Greg perform locally and I hope he returns to our area soon, a talent this good deserves to be seen.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com

(c)2005 Richard Ludmerer