“Greg’s vocals are top line on his new collection of songs. And he never stops innovating in his songwriting, having conversations with jazz, rock, funk, and reggae. Every note and beat has its own meaning and soul.” –Chris Kimsey (producer/engineer for the Stones, Frampton, and Duran Duran) “It was time.” That’s Greg Piccolo’s simple answer when asked, “Why now?” Why take on the demands, investment, and effort of a new release at seventy-five? The answer arrives in Who Knows What the Future Holds—his first major studio recording in 8 years. Following earlier releases on Fantasy Records and Black Top Records, this project reveals a different side of Piccolo. “This recording represents my alternate career as a singer-songwriter,” he says. “These are unpublished songs I’ve written over the years. I’ve opened my vault, and I’m grateful for the chance to finally share them.
I hope listeners find as much joy in them as I have in bringing them to life.” And with legendary producer Terry Manning (Tragically Hip, Staples Singers, Joe Walsh) at the board, you know the album is also going to sound great. Across eleven tracks, Piccolo turns inward, translating a lifetime into song—capturing the highs and lows, the grit and grace, the regrets and the resilience. It’s all there, delivered with wit, emotional clarity, and an artful use of double entendre. But reflection doesn’t come at the expense of rhythm. The immediate response is physical: foot-tapping, head-nodding, get-up-and-move energy. For those who have followed Piccolo since 1969—back to his teenage years playing throughout New England—this groove-forward spirit is no surprise. As a founding force behind Roomful of Blues, Piccolo helped shape a Grammy-nominated sound that powered one of the most enduring touring bands of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. During his tenure, Greg Piccolo wore many hats: lead singer, bandleader, and driving architect of Roomful of Blues’ signature horn-fueled groove. Today, he remains one of the premier tenor saxophonists performing live.
Whether playing or singing, Piccolo approaches each song with precision, purpose, and deep respect for the music. After more than six decades on the road, he still practices nearly every day—pushing himself, refining his craft, and living the music at his core. His contributions have been recognized with induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame and multiple Blues Music Award nominations. Now, with these eleven songs brought out of the vault and into the light, a new chapter begins. The vault, it turns out, is far from empty. Who knows what the future holds.
MUSICIANS: Greg Piccolo – vocals, tenor sax, horn section, Shinichi Otsu – piano, organ, synthesizer bass, backing vocals, Bob Ruggiero – drums, backing vocals, Paul Tomasello – bass, backing vocals, Dean Shot – guitar, Mark Kazanoff – baritone sax, Al Gomez – trumpet. Produced by Terry Manning (RIP).
