Greg Chako

Born: June 12, 1958

Greg Chako – Jazz Guitarist, Composer, and Bandleader

Cincinnati-born guitarist Greg Chako has spent over four decades performing, recording, and promoting jazz across the globe. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Chako has played with legends including Junior Cook, Curtis Fuller, Richie Cole, Herb Ellis, Jimmy Raney, and Delfeayo Marsalis. His career has taken him from the jazz clubs of Hong Kong and Singapore to festivals and concert halls throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.

As a bandleader, Chako has released many acclaimed live and studio albums, ranging from swinging trios to horn-driven ensembles and intricate solo guitar works. His recordings — praised for their warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and inventive arrangements — have earned spots on the JazzWeek, CMJ, and RMR charts. Critics have described his playing as “muscular sound wrapped in gloves of velvet” (Jazz Journal) and “a wonderful showcase” (Just Jazz Guitar).

Comfort Food

By Greg Chako

Label: Mint 400 Records
Released: 2025
Track listing: Freddie the Freeloader; Gentle Rain; Gone With The Wind; How Long Has This Been Going On; My Shining Hour; Delirio; I Remember You; What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life; I Hear A Rhapsody; Moon And Sand; Freddie The Freeloader (Take 2); Satin Doll; When Lights Are Low

The Miami Project

By Greg Chako

Label: Mint 400 Records
Released: 2025
Track listing: Love For Sale; Wayne's Waltz; Samba Summer; All Roads Lead Home; Bossa Nova; Bassin' Mason Bossa; Organomics; Changes.

Tom Gershwin, Jim Witzel, Jonathan Moritz, Jennifer Madsen and more

by Benjamin Boddie
August 20, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Tom Gershwin, Tyler Henderson, Tyreek McDole, Jim Witzel, Jonathan Moritz, Jennifer Madsen, Airmen Of Note, Art Hirahara, NYO Jazz, Etienne Charles, Alex Sipiagin, Joe Farnsworth, Dwight Trible, Greg Chako, Mike Clark & Mike Zilber, Danny Grissett, Naama, Ben Sidran, Benny Benack III, Nicole Glover, Alan Broadbent, Jacob Chung, Mark Winkler, ...

Bassin' Mason Bossa

June 20, 2025

Album: The Miami Project
By Greg Chako
Label: Mint 400 Records
Released: 2025
Duration: 6:00

New 'Live' Release By Guitarist Greg Chako - The Miami Project

April 23, 2025

This concert was the brainchild of my friend and fan, Edward Blanco. He suggested the appealing possibility of my doing a concert at WDNA��s Jazz Gallery years ago, but due to life circumstances, not the least of which was COVID 19, we weren��t sure until much later if the idea would ever actually materialize. During a ...

Standard Roots

By Greg Chako

Label: Mint 400 Records
Released: 2024
Track listing: Just Friends; I'll Be Around; Out Of Nowhere; I Should Care; It Might As Well Be Spring; Ill Wind; O Grande Amor; Cedar's Blues; Triste; Solar; Star Eyes; It Could Happen To You; That's All; Beatrice; I'm Old Fashioned; Triste (bonus track); Just Friends.

Brian Ho, Louis Hayes, Markus Howell, Judith Owen and more

by Benjamin Boddie
August 7, 2024

Today's Music--Right Now!... Fantastic music by Brian Ho, Louis Hayes, Markus Howell, Ken Peplowski, Win Pongsakorn, Jeff Coffin, Lakecia Benjamin, Josh Lawrence, Clarence Penn, Alan Braufman, Seve Turre, Tim Lin, Tardo Hammer, Eric Alexander & Mike LeDonne, Matthew Whitaker, Bobby Broom, Neil Adler, Nancy Erickson Lamont, Judith Owen, John Lee and more. Playlist Brian ...

Lakecia Benjamin, Milton Suggs, Eric Alexander & Mike LeDonne, Ken Peplowski and more

by Benjamin Boddie
July 31, 2024

Today's Music--Right Now!... Fantastic music by Lakecia Benjamin, Milton Suggs, Eric Alexander & Mike LeDonne, Ken Peplowski, Addison Frei, Tardo Hammer, Isrea Butler, Brian Landrus, Chris McDonald, John Lee, Markus Howell, Stuart Mack, Alexander Claffy, Kerry Politzer, Lisa Rich, Tim Lin, Irina Zubareva, Ambere Weekes, Eliane Elias, Something Else and more. Playlist Lakecia ...

Steve Turre, Markus Howell, Neil Adler, April Varner and more

by Benjamin Boddie
July 24, 2024

Today's Music--Right Now! ... Fantastic music by Steve Turre, Markus Howell, Neil Adler, April Varner, Zaccai Curtis, Etienne Charles, Conrad Herwig, Ben Patterson, Behn Gillece, Jon Gordon, Troy Roberts, Bobby Broom, Alexander Claffy, Kerry Politzer, Clarence Penn, Eric Alexander, Charles McPherson, Bill Frisell, Isrea Butler, Dave Bass and more. Playlist Steve Turre “Mr. Kenyatta" ...