Album Notes

According to Rootz Reggae & Kulcha magazine (2004), “Eugene Grey is yet another of the many genius guitarists of world class status that Jamaica has produced” playing professionally from the age of 14. Born in Green Island Jamaica in 1951, he went to Ruseas High School in 1963 where he started playing the harmonica in the School Band. After winning 1st place in the Pop and Mento competition in 1964, he taught himself to play the trombone, drums, piano and lastly the guitar, which he made.

Besonic.com, the German music internet site states “Eugene's playing recalls the fluidity of Charlie Christian, the creativity of Wes Montgomery, and the first-class execution of George Benson while sounding completely unique - an incredible feat given the deep talent pool of past and present jazz axemen”. This extraordinary style has led to Eugene touring worldwide as lead guitarist with such artists as Grammy Award winners Burning Spear and Toots and The Maytals, Ras Tesfa, Culture, Fab 5, Irving Burgie and Kid Creole and The Coconuts. Other artists Eugene has performed with include Big Youth, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, America’s Singing Poet Steve DePass, West Africa’s Abdou M’Boup and Vieux Diop, Tony Cafresi and His Latin Orchestra, The Wailers, and The Skatalites. While with The Skatalites Mr. Grey performed with Charlie Palmieri and Arthur Blythe at New York’s club ‘Village Gate’. In 1992 Eugene performed with his group, POWER REGGAE as the opening act and backing band for Jamaica’s Gregory Issacs in Switzerland.

He has recorded on all of the albums by Kid Creole and The Coconuts including arranging the song “Haiti” on their 1994 project. Also, the album “Voice of the Rastaman” by Shanachie artist Ras Tesfa and on the 1995 album “Via Jo” by Triloka artist Vieux Diop from Senegal, West Africa. Mr. Grey composed and arranged an original piece “Song For Jah” which was featured on the album “Another One Gone” by Shanachie Records artist Safi Abdullah. He also arranged the 1993 Christmas album for one of Jamaica’s premier male singers, Vic Taylor.

Another aspect of his career was performing as a member of the orchestra in several Off-Broadway plays and musicals such as “In A Pigs Valise” in 1989; “Pecong” in 1991 at Newark Symphony Hall and the Off Broadway Classical musical “Sally and Tom” at Castillo Theatre in 1995/96. He also was Musical Director for the Off-Broadway musical “Rasta” in 1995.

Eugene was commissioned to arrange 42 of the original songs of his longtime employer, Irving Burgie to market as a Broadway Musical review. These songs were made famous by Harry Belafonte 50 years ago. His arrangements garnered extensive praise from Cherry Lane Records.

His official debut release Timeless (Greyphone) was nominated for a 2003 Reggaesoca Music Award. This instrumental album has enjoyed rave reviews as well as extensive airplay in the US, Canada and Jamaica. 2004 saw his performance at the Suntrust Jazz Brunch at Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale which coincided with the release of his new project, Shades of Grey (Greyphone) that was also nominated for a 2005 Reggaesoca Music Award. Later that same year Eugene was in England as Musical Director for Irving Burgie’s musical “Day-O”.

Along with Eugene’s latest release Authentic (Greyphone) is his performance as the opening act for Dionne Warwick on March 25, 2007 at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida.