Gregg Karukas

American keyboardist Gregg Karukas cultivated his natural talent listening to albums of Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal, Les McCann, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and the great master of jazz piano Bill Evans.

At age 22 he formed the band Natural Bridge and played as opening act for the likes of Angela Bofil, Larry Carlton and Jeff Lorber. In 1987, coinciding with his first solo album The Nightowl, he achieved commercial success conquering smooth jazz radio stations.

Since then he has published 11 albums and has been nominated repeatedly as best keyboardist by the Oasis and National Smooth Jazz Awards. In 2013 he got the Grammy Award as a producer, arranger and co-songwriter in Echoes of Love, by Omar Akram.

He comes to the island to participate in the new edition of Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival, which takes place from 1 to 4 May and is dedicated to the biggest names in contemporary jazz.