“Greg’s vocals are top line on his new album. 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, & Duran Duran)
“Don’t Tell Me The Truth” is the new single from singer/ songwriter/ saxophonist GREG PICCOLO’s forthcoming album, Who Knows What The Future Holds. “It was time.” That’s Piccolo’s response when asked, “Why now?” Why take on the demands, investment, and effort of a new release at seventy-five? The answer arrives with 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 “These are unpublished songs I’ve written over the years, and I’m grateful for the chance to finally share them.”
For those who’ve followed Greg Piccolo’s career back as far as 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 the Grammy-nominated sound that powered one of the most enduring touring bands of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. During his tenure, he wore many hats: lead singer, bandleader, and driving architect of the band’s signature horn-fueled groove. Today, Greg Piccolo remains one of the premier tenor saxophonists on the stage and in the studio.
Whether playing or singing, he approaches each song with precision, purpose, and deep respect for the music. Piccolo’s latest single “Don’t Tell Me The Truth” is no exception: “I had a Memphis rock & roll groove on my mind, so I played it on my guitar and the words appeared! As with most songs I write, I start with a thought that turns into a title and I go from there. In the end, this song is a sad story with a great beat.” Greg Piccolo’s musical contributions have been acknowledged with induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame and multiple Blues Music Award nominations. Now, with a new single and album 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, Horn section/Tenor, Shinichi Otsu: Hammond Organ, Piano, BG Vocals, Bob Ruggiero: Drums, BG Vocals, Dean Shot: Guitar, Paul Tomasello: Bass BG Vocals, Mark Kazanoff: Horn Section/Baritone, Al Gomez: Horn Section/Trumpet. Produced by Terry Manning.
