GregHolmes.com: About Greg Holmes

Greg Holmes and his Fairlight Studio (Click image to view full-size.) Photo by Brian Holmes.

Greg's Fairlight studio.
All of this equipment (except for amp rack, speakers, and TV) could be relocated to recording studios on a moments notice.
Left to right: 1/2" 8-track reel-to-reel, 1/4" 4-track, amp rack on wheels (with phono and pro VCR on top), Fairlight CMI Series II CPU, Fairlight keyboards and monitor, amber PC-compatible monitor and keyboard, road-case rack unit (Korg MS-10 mono analog synth, MIDI routers [Roland MPU-103/104/105], Roland SDE2500 digital delay, Yamaha REV 7 digital reverb, Dynafex D-2B noise reduction unit, rack-mount computer behind grey faceplate, Yamaha TX 816 FM tone generator [equivalent to eight DX-7 modules], two Ashly SC-50 peak limiter compressors, patchbay), A-frame keyboard stand (top row: Roland SBX-80 Sync Box, Roland TR-707 drum machine, middle row: Yamaha DX-7 direct from Japan, bottom row: Tascam M-216 16-channel mixer, MP180 8-channel mixer). In the background are Bose speakers and a JVC TV/video monitor.

I have lived in the Niagara area for about 20 years, but I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. I studied classical guitar at the Eli Kassner academy, and attended the Humber College Jazz music program, majoring in bass, where I impressed the head of the department when I auditioned with a Joe Pass style rendition of Autumn Leaves on electric bass.

I play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, and worked with the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument, the pioneering digital sampling system. I'm also experienced in producing, record engineering, live audio, and instrument repair.

I was named "Jazz Artist of the Year" at the 2010 Niagara Music Awards, and nominated again for the 2011 Niagara Music Awards where my performance was described as a "show stopper".

I'm currently focusing my performing skills on the NS/Stick, an 8-string instrument with the combined range of guitar and bass. On this instrument, treble and bass parts are played at the same time, making me sound like two or three people.

My vocal style has been described by audience members as being very smooth and articulate. A cross between Michael Bublé, Chet Baker, and Kurt Elling, with perhaps a touch of Ella!

My solo shows are like a trio of voice, piano, and bass, with percussion effects on the strings. Sometimes, I'll play drum parts on a foot pedal unit. I also perform in duos (usually with drummers or wind players), trios, and larger groups. I really enjoy the interaction and exploration that happens with good players when performing together for the first time.

My musical influences include: Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, Carmen McRae, Caroline Drury, Chick Corea, Chris Squire, Ella Fitzgerald, Eva Cassidy, Geddy Lee, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling, Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, Susannah McCorkle, and Tony Martin.

I'm currently listening to:

I've performed with Wendell Blue, Maureen Brown, Jim Casson, Rob Christian, Dave Curry, Brian Dinsdale, Julian Fauth, Michael Fonfara, Paul Greco, Steve Grisbrook, Chuck Jackson, Gary Kendall, Michael Keys, Jeff Luciani, Terry Martell, Bill Melymuka, Ricky Paquette, Michael "Shrimp Daddy" Reid, Bill "Mojo Willie" Reimer, John Sherwood, Randy Stirtzinger, Warren Stirtzinger, Dan Thomas, Norm Villeneuve, Garth Vogan, and others.

I have provided composition and performance services for musical groups and media companies, including Rush, Lee Aaron, The Irish Rovers, Platinum Blonde, Honeymoon Suite, and TV series' such as The Care Bears, The Hitchhiker for HBO, and Lucasfilm's cartoon series' Ewoks and Droids. I also composed and recorded a classical-style soundtrack for a 70mm 3-D movie at the Science North Science Centre in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and composed music for CTV's The Last Frontier nature series.

I am North American Partner for BassLab Instruments of Germany, maker of high-end custom musical instruments, and I also represent AccuGroove speaker cabinets, Acoustic Image amplifiers, and other quality audio products. For more, visit my business site at www.ghservices.com.