We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Greg Satterthwaite. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Greg below.
Greg, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Many of my artistic projects have meant so much to me and reflect where I am in my personal and professional life. As a pianist, I have the privilege to make art everyday. I create meaningful moments as I teach students, create musical landscapes for audiences, or perform music for a loved one. As of late, I have been working on a musical album entitled Crossing Lines, which will be my third record release. I am ecstatic about the release of the project because of its homage to my Jamaican heritage and my appreciation of music from the African diaspora. Crossing Lines is an amalgamation of music genres and cultures that I am passionate about. It is a synthesis of musics from the African diaspora including jazz, R&B, neo-soul, reggae, Afrobeats, dancehall, and more. Jazz and improvisation serve as a backdrop for the compositions and Afro-Caribbean rhythms are ever present. The rhythmic sensibility of Jamaican music culture can be heard throughout the album. I am Jamaican born and wanted this album to celebrate and highlight the rhythms from the country. As a jazz musician, I am equally as passionate about improvisation and all the rich music traditions that jazz has had an influence on. Crossing Lines celebrates all these things. Crossing Lines will be released on Ropeadope Records on October 4, 2024.
Greg, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a jazz pianist, educator, composer and producer. I am the recipient of a distinguished South Arts 2023 Jazz Road award, and an Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano and African American studies at the University of Georgia. I frequently collaborate with other artists and performers at various venues and festivals around the nation. I have graduated from some of the nation’s most prestigious jazz programs. I received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas in Jazz Piano Performance, a Master of Arts in Commercial Music from Florida Atlantic University, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami. As the co-founder of JazzSpire.org, I created this platform to champion the arts, other artists, and creative education. I am proud to continue to perform and teach others about the legacy and importance of jazz music. There are so many talented musicians around the world, and I am delighted to add to the creation of new sounds and offerings as I present my music to the world.
My story is a woven web of Jamaican and American cultural experiences that have influenced my upbringing, education and career as a musical artist and professor. I started playing the piano in elementary school and have always gravitated towards the feel and sound of the instrument. Creating sounds, textures, melodies and harmonies on the black and white keys has been a part of my life for many years. The synergy created by performing and collaborating with other artists excites me, and I enjoy the musical dialogue that is created between musicians. My story can be musically heard on my first album Who I Am (2014) and my second album Savannah Blue (2023). Both albums reflect my journey, and the musical statements I wanted to make at that time. I look forward to the release of my third album, Crossing Lines, which will be a continuation of expressing my roots, experiences, and point of view.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Some professions are not as encouraged as others, and aspiring to become a professional musician is not always looked upon as a viable and sustainable option. Being a musician is not always a smooth road. Finding and securing work is not always consistent and can present gaps in income and career advancement. Fortunately, I have been blessed to consistently have opportunities over the years. I have worked as a musical director for a large multi-campus church, I created my own private piano studio business and I have taught master classes and clinics. I am a free-lance musician and currently a professor at the University of Georgia. My education and experiences helped me qualify for jobs, performance opportunities, and network with others that furthered my connections and exposure as a performer. I hope to be an example for others who are creatives and want to embark upon the journey of becoming artists that thrive in all areas of their life.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
It is vital that we view the arts as an essential part of our society. Once we begin to place a higher value on the arts then support for it becomes a natural second step. We can support the arts in several ways and at several different levels, including support for good public school arts education, support for artists and support for organizations that support artists and the arts.
Having the support of your community is an important aspect of being an artist. Financial support is one of the most important components of demonstrating appreciation for a creative or artist. Attending live shows, buying artist merchandise, joining a creative’s mailing list or newsletter, voting for the arts in schools, and voicing your support for the arts at the local, regional, and national level is critical to making art available to everyone and everywhere. Being engaged in the conversation as to why art matters to our communities is important and impactful. Our voices matter and the arts matter.
We have to ensure that the arts are a strong part of public school education. The proper funding for teachers and programs are vital. Most artists’ introduction to the art is through a class offered at a school program. The teachers who teach in these programs have had a profound impact on many students, myself included.
We also have to support various organizations that support the arts and artists. These organizations offer programs that help to enrich the community and also help to educate students, future artists and the community at large about the importance of the arts in all of our lives.
To support me and my music, please visit www.gregonkeys.com and join my mailing list. I also have the following upcoming shows:
Greg Satterthwaite Trio
September 13, 2024
8PM
Hendershot’s (Athens, GA)
Greg Satterthwaite
Crossing Lines Album Release Listening Party
October 10, 2024
8PM
Buteco (Atlanta, GA)
Greg Satterthwaite Quartet
December 3, 2024
8PM
Red Light Cafe (Atlanta, GA)
Greg Satterthwaite Quartet
February 19, 2025
9PM
Eddie’s Attic (Atlanta, GA)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gregonkeys.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregonkeys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregsatterthwaitemusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXME4IUKA5HsMMhWG2x2lqQ/featured
- Other: Bandcamp
https://gregsatterthwaite.bandcamp.comSpotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pIsIxw049Vpla4PicQfFR
Image Credits
Image Credits:
Katie Parker