(Glass Onyon) Gregg Rolie, co-founder of Santana and Journey, will make two unique solo appearances on March 2 & 3, 2012 at the famed Iridium in NYC. The Iridium has a dual history as both a jazz institution and the home of Les Paul, who performed at the venue regularly from 1996-2009. Les Paul Mondays were always an event with such iconic guitarists as Jeff Beck, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren and Ted Nugent sitting in with the Les Paul Trio. Gregg Rolie's two-day performances at the Iridium come on the heals of his new solo EP, "Five Days".
Gregg, along with his special guest, blues guitarist Alan Haynes, will be playing selections from the new EP along with many old favorites. He'll share stories from his 40-plus year career and answer questions from the audience during the show. After his performance, there will be a meet and greet with the audience and Gregg will be on hand for pictures and autographs.
Gregg Rolie is the voice behind the classic Santana hits "Black Magic Woman" "Evil Ways" and "Oye Como Va". In 1998, this world class musician, writer, producer was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame as the unmistakable lead vocalist of the Santana band. In addition to launching- along with Carlos Santana- the now legendary act, Rolie also co-produced their first four groundbreaking albums. Departing Santana after the pioneering jazz fusion offering 'Caravansarai' in 1972, band members Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon went on to form the 1980s hit-makers Journey, co-writing and producing that band's first 7 albums.
Just released in 2011, "Gregg Rolie - Five Days" is Gregg's latest EP/CD consisting of 6 songs with Gregg playing acoustic piano and singing live. He recorded these tracks in his living room on the piano given to him by his father in the early days of Santana, and as Gregg says, "it's from my house to yours" He gives beautiful new renditions of 2 classic hits that he sang as the lead singer in Santana - "Black Magic Woman" and Journey - "Anytime" - as well as 4 new songs, his own compositions through solo voice and piano. Recently featured on the cover of the UK's Keyboard Player magazine, Rolie is a renowned Hammond B3 player, celebrated for his gritty and intense performances. Up close, personal and intimate, the show will feature a side of Gregg that all fans should get to know.
When: March 2 & 3, 2012 - two shows per night 8:00 / 10:30 PM
Where: Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway and 51st Street, New York, NY 10019 - PH: 212-582-2121