Al DeGregoris : iSOUND.COM™

Biography

To get a FREE SONG from my latest release, 'Three To Midnight,' just go to AlDeGregoris.SongForFree.net!
A major keyboard talent and Smooth Jazz musician/composer, Al DeGregoris can conjure up images of Joe Sample or Oscar Peterson with his cool, inventive playing, which merges traditional rhythmic patterns with a modern chromatic concept.Al started playing piano at the age of 4, saxophone at the age of 6, wrote his first song and formed his first band at the age of 7, and did his first paying gig at the age of 13. While studying with notable local musicians Charlie Hoffman, Esq. and Gerard De Angelo, Al continued to perform at local functions honing his performance skills with the help of his cousins "The King's Men". At the age of 16, Al was leading his own band and was asked to perform at his high school faculty's New Years Eve party. The gig was a huge success! While continuing to perform professionally, Al earned a Bachelors Degree in Music and a Juris Doctor at Hofstra University and performed with the Hofstra Jazz Repertory Company, under the direction of Emeritus Professor Herbert A. Deutsch (co-creator of the Moog Synthesizer). During his college years, Al studied Classical Piano with Professor Valentino Marconi, and after college Jazz Piano with the late Professor Arthur Doolittle. During that time in various groups with his college peers, Al began to experiment with Contemporary Jazz composing and recorded several Contemporary Jazz compositions.Al began experimenting with recording technology and built several studios ranging from 2 to 8 tracks. He then designed, built and operated Star Mix Recording Studios, Ltd., a commercial 48-track recording facility, which was featured on the inside cover of MIX MAGAZINE'S Northeast Studio Directory Issue. During that time, Al composed, arranged and produced several Dance and Pop tracks with various vocal artists and wrote several commercial jingles including the score for a Guess Sportswear television commercial.Al continued to wow audiences all over New York with his killer chops and feel, as he continued to perform many gigs at some of New York's hottest spots, including The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, The Plaza Hotel, The Rainbow Room, The Tower Suite, The River Cafe;, The Water Club, etc., while continuing to write and expand his musical concept.In 2001, with guitarist Joe "the Man" Bivona, Al formed the Smooth Jazz group "Deja Blue" and performed with them at many venues including BB King's Blues Club and Grille, NY, NY; The Peconic Bay Winery; Ospry's Dominion Winery; Town of North Hempstead Concert Under the Stars Series; Nassau County Noontime Concert Series; etc. Al, an accomplished composer, is an American Song Festival Contest Winner; 2-time Billboard Magazine World Song Contest Top 500 winner; John Lennon World Song Contest Top 5 winner; and Norwegian Cruise Lines Star Seeker winner. His original compositions meld modern Urban/Hip-Hop/Latin/Brazilian/Afro-Cuban grooves with flowing, compelling melodies and lush background textures. Thanks for reading!