ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Greg Witt was born in Dallas, Texas on the last day of the year, December 31, 1965. His mother, a native Canadian from Edmonton, Alberta, brought music into the home through the family upright piano. Her father, toured Canada as a violinist in a folk band during the great depression.  Greg’s musical heritage lead Greg to the piano and then to the guitar at age 10. Learning to play the guitar by ear, Greg developed his skills as a guitarist and a creative composer. Greg went on to study ‘classical guitar’ and composition at the Music College at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  Finger-picking Bach, Sor, Mozart, Vivaldi, and more, Greg further shaped his style and talent with classical music. He brought delight to his guitar professor's ears by ending classical pieces with ‘rock’ riffs he had learned as young kid.His studies took him to Atlanta, GA., where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music Recording at Georgia State University.Today, Greg continues to compose and arrange for guitar and combo.

With the release of his new CD, “Smooth Jazz Rock”, Greg Witt challenges traditional ‘jazz guitar’ music.  His addition of ‘rock’ guitar riffs adds a fresh color to the ‘smooth jazz’ style. His ‘classical’ and ‘rock’ musical roots are definitely present through-out the CD. The “Smooth Jazz Rock” CD is fresh, innovative, and exciting to listen to.

His instrumental version of his single, "It Was You", can be heard on the Weather Channel. (See Video.)

Greg began developing his ‘jazz’ guitar skills while performing in the “Odessa College Jazz Big Band” from 1997 to 2004. From then, Greg continued to perform the ‘jazz standards’ repertoire in his smaller jazz combo, “JazzBird”. Improvising on jazz is a real talent of Greg’s. His jazz phrasings are certainly influenced by his ‘rock’ and ‘classical’ roots. Just listen to the new “Smooth Jazz Rock” CD.  
 
At the time of this writing, Greg continues to develop his musical career in the ‘smooth jazz’ world. With so much musical background, we can look forward to seeing a progressive career and much to come from artist Greg Witt.
  

EDUCATION

* Graduate of Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA.) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Music Business & Recording, (March 1990)

* Seminar: "The Art, Craft, and Technology of Contemporary Orchestrating for Film and Television."
(Los Angeles, CA.) (Sept. 2002)

* New York University: The 2004 NYU/ASCAP Foundation Film Scoring Workshop, New York NY. Ron Sadoff -  Director, NYU - (May 2004)

ORGANIZATIONS
* American Composer's Forum - member.
* BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
* Board of Trustees - Midland Odessa Symphony & Chorale, 2003-2004.
* Board of Trustees - Arts Assembly of Midland, 2000 - 2003.
* Principal guitar - Odessa College Jazz Big Band, 1997-2004.
* Performer's Chair -Celebration of the Arts, Arts Assembly, 2001 and 2002.
* Sound Chair, Production Board - Midland Community Theater, 19 97