Steve Gregory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Gregory is an English jazz saxophonist and composer.
Steve Gregory plays tenor, soprano and baritone saxophone as well as the flute. With a reputation for his mellow tone and his passionate and powerful solos, he is one of the most respected and sought after musicians around.
Steve Gregory was born in the UK. At St. Paul's School he learned guitar and piano and played clarinet in the school orchestra. He turned down a place at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music to become a professional musician. Soon he was playing with Alan Price’s band and was in demand for session work, playing for people like Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Rolling Stones (Honky Tonk Woman), Fleetwood Mac and others. He also played with Georgie Fame and Geno Washington.
Gregory began to branch out, continuing to play with Georgie Fame but also recording and playing with bands like Ginger Baker's Air Force, Gonzalez (band), Linda Lewis, Boney M and Rocky Sharpe and The Replays. He also spent some time in Nigeria, playing with Fela Kuti at the Shrine.
In the 1980s Steve Gregory decided to go freelance. He took on television work and continued with session work. He played the legendary sax line on George Michael’s hit Careless Whisper and also worked with artists such as Chris Rea, Alison Moyet, Freddie King, Maxi Priest, China Crisis, Queen (played solo on One Year Of Love) and Amazulu.
In the 1990s Steve played with Wet Wet Wet, Van Morrison and then joined the Dennis Bovell Dub Band, touring around the world with Linton Kwesi Johnson. He released his first solo album, an acid/jazz/fusion set, Bushfire, on LKJ Records. It features some top names in music accompanying Gregory’s sax and flute, including Georgie Fame, John Deacon from Queen and John Kpiaye.
