For those unaware, Saxophonist, composer, singer and producer/arranger, Rafael Greco was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He graduated from the prestigious José Luis Paz Conservatory as an integral member of the National Youth Orchestra from his home state of Zulia and where he studied privately under Giuseppe Terenzio and Renzo Salvetti. He moved to Caracas in 1988 where he began his advanced studies under such masters as: Gerry Weil, Á​​lvaro Cordero and Olegario Díaz.

In Venezuela, Rafael Greco has enjoyed a distinguished and successful career as part of Venezuela’s most influential and important group, multi-Latin Grammy winners, Guaco. For decades, Rafael has toured the world with this internationally recognized group, bringing with them the spirit and unique rhythmic perspective of their homeland.

​ In addition, he has worked alongside other significant national and international artists, and the diversity of his contributions to these varied projects included performing as a multi-instrumentalist and creating unique keyboard sounds as orchestral textures.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Rafael Greco is also a published author and an exceptionally gifted photographer. His children’s books include: “Begoña la araña” (“Begoña the spider) “La nueva naríz” (“The new Nose”) published by Camelia Editions.

He is also a successful solo artist who blends jazz, Latin rhythms, and literary-inspired storytelling across albums like Dice Que Vive and his just-released brand new album entitled Verses Under My Shadow (out now via Blue Canoe Records).

1. Verses Under My Shadow
2. Vincenza Nel Mare
3. La Nuit (for Lester Young)
4. Lucia
5. Dr. Igloo my evil and clumsy stalker
6. Bagheria
7. I Changed The Title
8. Due Fratelli
9. Cenotaph (A farewell to my saxophone case)
10. Joseph Conrad’s deletions 11. Get It Straight
12. Sonatina (Méliès) for Solo Piano

A highly acclaimed Venezuelan musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, widely recognized for his long tenure touring the world with the multi-Latin Grammy-winning group Guaco, Rafael opens his new recording on the rhythmically infectious title track Verses Under My Shadow, the low key balladry of Vincenza Nel Mare and the cannily crafted La Nuit (for Lester Young) and then we get gifted the ornately sheer Lucia, the electronically staggered impedance of Dr. Igloo my evil and clumsy stalker and the dramatically-hued Bagheria.

Then we get the affectingly ambient I Changed The Title and the smoothly honed Due Fratelli and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the earnestly impassioned Cenotaph (A farewell to my saxophone case), the regimented Joseph Conrad’s deletions, before the set rounds out on the melodious Get It Straight, coming to a close on the free-flowing, masterfully emotive and diligently cultured Sonatina (Méliès) for Solo Piano.

Instruments/Players:
Keys/Guitar/Voice/Samplers/Programming: Rafael Greco; Additional Keys/Solo: Scott Kinsey; Synth Solo: Santiago Bosch; Bass: Jimmy Haslip

Drums/Percussion:
Dave Weckl; Vinnie Colaiuta; Anton Fig; Fernando Valladares; Mark Ferber; Luisito Quintero; Guitars: Charles Altura, Juan Angel Esquivel; Clarinet: Marcos Salas; Vocals: Ezequiel “El Negro” Serrano, Pimpi Santistevan

Official Purchase Links

Rafael Greco - Official Facebook Page