Ryan Gregg on SoundBetter

Piano-player, singer, songwriter, music director, and composer. Heavily inspired by American Roots music, rhythm and blues, but comfortable in any genre, including jazz and classical. Currently reside not far outside of New York City, surrounded by a team of highly skilled and creative professionals. Ready to help fill out your production team.

Expert at translating the emotional cues of a client into the technical cues of an arrangement. Efficient and thorough work flow, honed over years as a project manager and bandleader. Surrounded by a skilled team of producers, engineers, and session players.

Experience In:
Songwriting // Composition // Piano, Organ, and Keys // Singing // Producing // Project Management // Arranging // Vocals // Chart Writing // Symphonic Scoring...and more!

Easy to work with and quick to adapt. Always up for something interesting.

Toured on piano with soul-country artist Eric Lindell and rhythm and blues singer Dana Fuchs. Currently play swing-country with Jet Weston and the Atomic Ranch Hands, surf-rock with Plato Zorba, and rhythm and roots with The Shady Street Show Band, for which I write the songs, co-produce, sing lead vocal, and act as lead orchestrator.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

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Interview with Ryan Gregg

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Sharing stores.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Baby Grand Piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3, accordion and an audio recorder.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: My career path has always been in the music business, although it definitely has not been a straight line. In the last 10 years, I've worked as a writer, arranger, producer, music director, festival promoter, piano player, and manager, among other things. Generally good relationships lead to good work, and I try and decide on what jobs to take based on the people I'm working with.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I'm running Pro-Tools HD. MIDI capable, and can write, arrange, and record a symphony orchestra with the gear available. Also able to record clean vocals through an Audio Technica AT4033. Anything that isn't in my immediate vicinity I'm able to outsource to my team, and have working relationships with a number of independent studios and session musicians.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Playing the piano. I have a loose and very adaptive style. Love collaborating with musicians in different genres. Keeps things fresh.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Playing the piano is definitely my strongest skill. It informs my intuition as a musician and is what brought me to the dance, so to speak.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Know the players you work with. Know their strengths and bring out the best in what they do. If you treat them well, they'll remember you and want to work with you again. Musicians forget how much they made way more quickly than how much they enjoyed a session.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Soul, humor, and heart.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If I'm co-writing or producing, the relationship starts with a long conversation, about half work and half life, so that I can get a starting vibe. After that I'll work with the artist on the nuts and bolts, discuss a general workflow for the project, and any specific goals or issues the artist has and identify any roles that need to be filled in the production process. Working as a session musician is a little different, and varies wildly depending on the project. Have given as much or as little input as is necessary as a vocalist and piano player. Feel out the personalities in the room and contribute when I feel it serves the song. Easy-going and patient. Respect the process.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: The musicians I admire most have worked in the industry the most consistently, adapting to whatever project they find themselves in. Quincy Jones for his production work and Paul Schaefer as a music director both come to mind. Also a huge fan of manager Shep Gordon, and find his approach towards the business inspiring. I had three musical heroes that brought me into the fold when I was young; Dr. John, John Lee Hooker, and B.B. King. Although I take every opportunity I can to play different kinds of music and explore as much as is out there, my wheelhouse will always be honky-tonk, blues and boogie-woogie piano. Favorite album ever is Satch and Josh, a duet album by Oscar Peterson and Count Basie. Two of the greatest piano players to ever live with nothing to prove to each other, just trying to out-tasty one another.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Soul, rhythm, and roots. Theatrical when I want to be and understated when I need to be. Dynamic performer, player, and writer.