Every Tuesday morning, our BNI group comes together to share ideas, grow our businesses, and connect with like-minded professionals. Among the talented individuals in our circle, one person always stands out—Greg Chako, affectionately known as The Cincinnati Jazz Man.
Greg isn’t just a musician; he’s a storyteller whose instrument is the guitar. With decades of international experience, a deep passion for jazz, and a style that’s as smooth as it is sophisticated, Greg brings a unique rhythm to everything he does—whether it’s performing live, recording albums, or building relationships in our local community.
I’m thrilled to introduce you to Greg’s musical journey, his global influences, and why jazz fans across the Queen City (and beyond) can’t get enough of his sound.
Can you tell us how your journey into music began?
My mom often had music playing throughout the house. She told me that as a toddler I would put my ears as close to the speakers as I could and bang on the floor as if to the music. I got lessons on accordion and the teacher told my parents that I appeared to have some musical potential. I believe I was ten years old when I had my first guitar lesson. At age 11, I won an award in the American Guild of Music competition among 1,000 contestants.
Was there a specific moment you knew music would be your career?
I am not sure if there was a specific moment, but by middle school, I knew that music was something I wished to pursue. Just prior to my reaching college age, I left Cincinnati to attend a summer-long music educational program at The Guitar Workshop in New York. That was located in Rosyln, Long Island, where my Dad lived. Staying with him, attending the classes full-time, and also exploring all that New York City has to offer inspired even more passion in me for music, and especially Jazz music!
What instruments do you play, and how did you learn them?
My primary instrument is and has always been guitar. But, I play electric bass too, and I had to learn piano as part of my Doctor of Musical Arts degree program at the famed Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. I’ve always loved drums, but my parents would not let me practice them in the house, but since obtaining my own living quarters, I’ve usually had a drum set in the house – completely self-taught – and not very good! However, my sense of rhythm in general is highly developed, and I’m a firm believer that rhythm is the most important aspect of music.
Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
I listened to rock at first, bands that were popular while I was in middle and high school, such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, however during my summer-long program of study at the Guitar Workshop in New York when I was 16 or 17, I learned more about Jazz music, and that genre had an immediate appeal to me. You can say that the older I got, the further back in time I went with my listening habits. For instance, I began with hard rock, then discovered what I call ‘classical-rock’ (groups like like Genesis or YES), then to jazz-fusion by people like Chick Corea and John McLaughlin, Soul-Funk by groups like the Isley Brothers and Sly and the Family Stone, before finally delving into the famed originators of Swing like Lester Young and BeBob like Charlie Parker when I began my twenties.
How would you describe your musical style or sound?
Well, something important when it comes to my sound involves the use of my thumb to pluck the strings as opposed to a pick. Playing with my thumb helps to create a warmer, more rhythmic and distinctive sound. In terms of genre, I play swinging jazz, soulful blues, bossa-nova beats, and beautiful ballads. I was trained in classical guitar and I believe that my having that foundation helped me approach all music with more sensitivity in terms of tone and dynamics, aspects which are crucial in classical music but tend to get overlooked in some popular music forms, especially by guitarists! I would describe my sound in the same way many reviewers over the years have: “Lyrical” “Melodic” “Warm yet incisive” “Oozes class!” “Elegant” “Tasteful” “Swinging!” One of my favorite reviews said this: “Greg’s music transcends geographic boundaries and cultures and communicates the happiness and friendship that all music should provide!”
Where do you usually draw inspiration for your songs or performances?
From places (nature), people, and experiences. In short, from life!
Can you walk us through your songwriting or composition process?
Typically, I have a general idea of what I am writing for or about. These days, my albums tend to be theme-based … I might focus on incorporating Latin-rhythms for one album, and another one focused on the blues. When I lived in Asia I met and interacted with people from different cultures. I met a Euro-Asian guy who learned to play the Didgeridoo in the Australian outback, so I used that exotic instrument, along with Indian Tabla, in a way that blended with my American-Jazz roots in a most unique way. My album “Where We Find Ourselves” dealt with the trauma I experienced with the loss of my Japanese wife to cancer, leaving me alone and widowed in a strange country. Trials and tribulations, as well as joy and happiness are expressed through my music, if I am being honest. Sometimes I call music my therapy!
What’s your favorite song you’ve written or performed, and why?
I like to answer questions like that by saying, “The next one!” But honesty, it’s almost an impossible question to answer . . . it’s like asking an author which chapter of his novel is his favorite! There are a couple of songs which stand out to me as good compositions which have stood the test of time and/or are favorites of my musical partners, but in truth, each song may represent a particular moment or period of my life, and therefore, they’re equally important, but just conveying different emotions or musically representing a different experience.
Do you collaborate with other musicians? If so, what’s that process like?
Of course! It’s difficult and lonely otherwise. The process? That’s a good question, probably too involved for me to answer in depth, but suffice to say that it’s a gentle balance between mutually respectful collaboration and out-and-out dictatorship!
How do you stay motivated and creative, especially during slower times?
One of the best ways is by composing and arranging new material. Players have to play, creators have to create. When I was learning to drive a semi-truck, my trainer told me, “No radio!” because listening to music would distract my driving. He was a totally humorless guy and the only time he ever spoke was if I was doing something wrong. That was a soul-crushing experience to say the least! What I did was . . . compose music in my mind . . . silently imagining how the song would sound, then repeating it constantly so that when the shift was finished and I got home, I could go immediately to the guitar and write down (as best I could) what I had imagined earlier. A few of those songs were released on an album titled, “Friends, Old & New” in 2022.
What’s your most memorable performance to date?
Again, “the next one!” But actually, my performances in Asia were the most amazing, because I was working literally every night, and I was featured at large festivals, playing in front of hundreds of people, being interviewed and advertised by local media, TV appearances, etc., all things which typically do not happen for me here. My favorite performance in America recently was in Dec. of 2023 when I led a concert and live recording date in Miami, Florida. That was fantastic, and the album was released this year, titled, “The Miami Project.”
How do private gigs differ from public shows or concerts for you?
The main difference is that for a show or concert, people are paying to see and hear a show – so that’s what we do – put on a show! But for private events such as a dinner party or birthday celebration, the purpose of music is to provide an appropriate ambience. I am currently branding a new webpage called: CincyJazzman.com That page was created to market my musical services for private events, and my tagline is: “Providing the Perfect Ambience with Music!” How I approach my guitar playing is very similar, because whatever the occasion is, I must play with complete honesty and emotion. Whether playing in a concert or a restaurant, I seek to move people with positive emotions.
What types of private events do you typically perform at (e.g., weddings, corporate, intimate house shows)?
Dinner parties, Fund-Raisers, Celebrations, Corporate events, Wine-n-Cheese events, Cocktails, and of course, Weddings.
What can people expect when they book you for a private gig?
I have 50 years of professional experience custom-catering music for a wide-range of events. One can expect reliability, clarity and trustworthiness during the entire process and performance. One can expect their guests to be EXTREMELY impressed that you acquired a band of such a high quality! My primary goal is to create an impactful and memorable emotive experience, and to exceed all expectations!
Do you customize your set lists for private events? How flexible are you with song requests?
Normally, the only time I make a set list is if I am performing in a concert or recording situation with bandmates whom I do not normally play with. I am very flexible with requests, but prefer them to be mentioned in advance of the job (as opposed to during the job!).
How can fans or event planners book you for private events?
Go to CincyJazzman.com or simply call me up, or attend one of my weekly live performances to meet me in person. You can always see when and where I perform publicly by clicking the “Live Performances” header button on my website.
What has been the most rewarding part of performing for private audiences?
I wrote a blog recently that briefly touches on this, but to answer your question directly, one of the things that makes private gigs more enjoyable is that we’re there for one reason only: to provide the perfect ambience with music. Therefore, we do not have any added stress relating to how many people we can draw or how many drinks get sold on the night we’re performing. When we play in bars or restaurants, we must constantly be concerned with how many people show up to see us and how much money the venue will make that night, because the answers to those two questions will determine our fate in the future at that particular establishment. When I’m hired for a private event, often I’m being hired because the client already has a high degree of respect and admiration for what I do, and I can more easily focus on creating the best musical experience for them, their guests, and ourselves!
Where can people follow your music or hear your latest work?
Most of my albums are on all streaming services world-wide. In order of preference, one can 1) see me live, or call me up and buy one of my CDs from the artist directly 2) hear or buy one of my albums from BandCamp, the most artist-friendly service existing today 3) go to my website “Store” page.
What’s next for you—any upcoming releases or performances?
Yes, I’ve finished tracking a new album to be titled “Comfort Food” and the theme of the music on that record is contained in the album title. Then later this year, my Christmas album will come out, featuring some solo-classical guitar arrangements interspersed with ensemble selections – of all well-known Christmas-oriented music. I’m already thinking ahead to next year and future recording projects – nothing is worse than stagnation – even when times are slow, we must keep our dreams and our mind alive and thinking forward!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
I suppose it depends on the individual. But for me, I believe that I was destined to do what I do with music – found my muse or purpose in life so to speak – the sooner one can achieve that for themselves, the better. My advice is to develop self-reflection, explore spirituality in an effort to find a sense of confidence and balance irrespective of your life circumstances. A steady mind, open heart, and traits such as honesty, perseverance, and empathy, will serve us all very well in life and in music, too. But of course, any aspiring musicians with more questions … please hit me up for a lesson!
See more from your Neighborhood Guide, Valerie Woodham.
