Latest News
Christmas in July – New Videos!
July 5, 2009
Big Screen Debut in The Merry Gentleman
May 15, 2009
About a year and a half ago Dan Cray got a call from a producer who said, “can you come downtown right now to meet Michael Keaton?” Evidently, he liked our music and we ended up winning the job of being in his directorial debut film, “The Merry Gentleman.” I wasn’t sure it was ever going to make it past the Sundance Film Festival or that we wouldn’t end up on the cutting room floor! At last, the movie has been released in select cities and we did in fact make the cut. You can hear our renditions of Christmastime favorites in the background for a few minutes and see us on screen in a few scenes. It was a thrill to be a part of it and to witness movie production first hand. On top of that, it is actually a very good film. Please check it out and click here for showtimes.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge & Jazz Showcase
May 5, 2009
I just returned from an exciting weekend with The Dan Cray Trio. We played a fun gig at Trio’s in South Bend, IN and followed that up the next night with a great show at the legendary Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, MI. Baker’s is the “world’s oldest jazz club” and we were the main act for the Saturday night of their 75th anniversary. The club is going through a difficult time and struggling to stay open. Strong turnout over the weekend proves that the Baker’s is still viable. Let’s keep them going another 75 years! Our performance was recorded live and look for a few tracks to be released on an upcoming 75th anniversary CD to support the club.
The Jazz Showcase (which by my count is really the third oldest jazz club in the U.S.) is having a jam session now on select Monday nights. Typhanie Monique hosts and we have a great band to support guests who would like to play with us. Please come out and sit in! This month’s date is May 11, but starting in June we’ll be there twice a month – the 1st and the 15th. All 8PM starts.
Recent Gigs and Updates
January 28, 2009
I have played several truly exciting gigs lately including a gig with guitarist Tony do Rosario at Smalls in New York City. We had a great time playing his original music along with vibraphonist Behn Gillece and bassist Jesse Breheney. I uploaded a couple pics of the gig.
Also, the Dan Cray Trio’s ongoing Wednesday gig at the Morse Theater is not to be missed! This venue is the Jewel of Chicago. It is such a thrill to be in this concert setting in a beautiful venue with fantastic sound and a nine-foot Steinway Grand Piano! Please come hear us with talented signer Jesse Palter on February 4th, 8PM.
Finally, I have made some updates to my instrument pages. I added some new photos and descriptions of my vintage drums plus I added my old hi-hats and crash along with sound files on the cymbals page.
Lots of New Releases!
December 9, 2008
I have been doing a lot of recording lately, and I am pleased to announce that a few of the new CDs are now available! ‘Tis the Season, and for starters I am on two Christmas records that have just been released: The Derrick Stout Quartet’s “Melodies Under the Mistletoe” and Typhanie Monique/Neal Alger’s “Yuletide Groove.” I’ll be playing on the CD release party at the Morse Theater on Dec 20th at 8 & 10PM.
Marc Courtney Johnson is out with his second release, “Dream of Sunny Days.” I’ll also be playing this CD release on Dec. 17, also at the fabulous new Morse Theater!It is Dec. 17th at 8PM.
I’m also on four additional recordings from 2008 that will be released soon. NIA finally went back into the studio to track our second album of original music. I always enjoy recording with vocalists, and have been working on Lisa Roti’s upcoming disc and that has been a great project. Similarly, Randy Kelly tracked a vocal record with The Dan Cray Trio and that should be finished up very soon. Finally, I just got out of the studio with guitarist Tony do Rosario and we recorded an album for the new Chicago Sessions label. Look for that one to be out in February! As always, check back at gregdrums.com for updates!
Dan Cray Trio Music on 2 GB Flash Drives!
October 23, 2008
I am convinced that the CD is all but dead. Sad, but true! In an effort to be ahead of the curve, we are offering our latest record, Over Here/Over Heard on slick 21st-century media: a 2 gigabyte USB flash drive. The swivel drives are very cool, and quite functional – even when loaded with music, they have additional storage capacity (and if you are so inclined they can be erased entirely once you import the files).
I know what you are thinking, but these are not lousy-sounding .mp3 files. No, due to the large size of the drive, we able to give you CD-quality full-size .wav files! And we are including extras: full-quality album art (full jacket spread plus individual files for each panel and actual CD) and fun photos and bios of the group that you won’t find anywhere else. At $20 they are truly a great value.
Finally, you can also order a flash drive with our other recordings on it as well. Those are available in the highest-quality .mp3 format available (320kbps – much higher than you can download from iTunes) and come with front cover art. Add either Save Us! or No One to your Over Here/Over Heard flash drive for $5, or both for $10 – that’s three Dan Cray Trio recordings for less than $30!
Over Here/Over Heard 2 GB USB – $19.99
Over Here/Over Heard & Save Us! 2 GB USB – $24.99
Over Here/Over Heard & No One 2 GB USB – $24.99
Over Here/Over Heard, Save Us! & No One 2 GB USB – $29.99
Still just want the regular CD? Yeah we have those too.
