Mazel Musical Arts Society

Gregg Mazel – Musical Biography

b. Providence, RI. Attended Boston University, Hartt School of Music and the University of Rhode Island. Mostly self-taught. Studied woodwinds and improvisation with: Joseph Viola – head of woodwinds at Berklee College of Music. Jackie McLean – Hartt School of Music. Jaki Byard – Hartt School of Music. Alexander Lepak – Hartt School of Music.

In the early to mid-1970s, performed at Al Fisher’s Place with The Brotherhood Trio, on WJAR-TV in “Black Profiles,” Gregg led, arranged and performed in a myriad of trios and quartets, performing in clubs and colleges in Rhode Island in the 80’s.

Gregg performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival with the Al Belleto Septet, the Ellis Marsalis Quintet, (featuring both Wynton and Branford Marsalis), and toured with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. He performed with “Lil’ Queenie and the Percolators”, played with “Hot Strings,” the Lee Castle Orchestra and Irma Thomas, the “Nairobi Ensemble”, and toured with “Asleep at the Wheel.” From 1979 to 1986, Mazel played as lead sax with numerous bands, including the “Otis and Ridley Band”, “Montage” and “Roomful of Jazz” (a specialty version of Roomful of Blues).

Performance highlights include performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals and in the opening act for Ella Fitzgerald (recorded and broadcast on National Public Radio). Gregg also performed with Helen Humes and Floyd Smith in New Orleans, and at the Houston Blues Festival with Gatemouth Brown and “Gates Express.”

Other engagements include performances at Bo Baggums’, Leo’s, The Met Cafe, Allary’s, Lupo’s, Pelham East, The Blue Pelican, Arcadia Ballroom, and Windham College. Recording “Deck the Halls” as co producer/arranger with Otis Read on the North Star Label. Recording with Andy Bey and Shawn McGloin in Brooklyn. Please see: http://www.wjaz.com/music/. Recordings with Duke Bellaire Orchestra. Please see: http://www.wjaz.com/sound/. Gregg has played with the Art Medeiros Big Band and the Art Medeiros Concert Band. He has  performed with Sugar Ray and the Blue Tones, The Sheiks, The Mystic Horns, The Gary Sugal Contemporary Big Band, Paul Barrett Back Alley Big Band and The Gregg Mazel Quartet.

Gregg is the founder of WJAZ.com, WJAZ.net and the WJAZ Composer’s Orchestra.