Biography

According to Rootz Reggae & Kulcha magazine (2004), “Eugene Grey is yet another of the many genius guitarists of world class status that Jamaica has produced” playing professionally from the age of 14. He has recently completed his own tour in Argentina in 2008 and a tour as lead guitarist with Jamaica’s legendary Sly & Robbie in 2009. Mr. Grey has completed his latest solo release which is a double album called “Diversity” (Greyphone) featuring original instrumental and well as vocal songs.

Besonic.com (2006), the German music internet site states “Eugene's playing recalls the fluidity of Charlie Christian, the creativity of Wes Montgomery, and the first-class execution of George Benson while sounding completely unique - an incredible feat given the deep talent pool of past and present jazz axemen”. This extraordinary style was showcased to a packed house in Argentina November 2007 where Eugene, backed by the local band Sessiones wowed the crowd as the headliner at the La Trastienda Club. This is a venue that has hosted the likes of the Wailers and the Skatalites

In addition to touring on his own, Eugene has toured worldwide as lead guitarist with a variety of artists, most recently touring with Sly & Robbie in 2009. In the past Mr. Grey toured with such artists as Grammy Award winners Burning Spear and Toots and The Maytals, Ras Tesfa, Culture, Fab 5, Irving Burgie and Kid Creole and The Coconuts. Other artists Eugene has performed with include Big Youth, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, America’s Singing Poet Steve DePass, West Africa’s Abdou M’Boup and Vieux Diop, Tony Cafresi and His Latin Orchestra, The Wailers, and The Skatalites. While with The Skatalites Mr. Grey performed with Charlie Palmieri and Arthur Blythe at New York’s club ‘Village Gate’.

Eugene released his official solo album “Timeless” (Greyphone) in 2002 that was nominated for a 2003 Reggaesoca Music Award. 2004 saw his performance at the Suntrust Jazz Brunch at Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale coincide with the release of “Shades of Grey” (Greyphone) which again was nominated for a 2005 Reggaesoca Music Award. In March 2007 he performed as the opening act for Dionne Warwick on March 25, 2007 at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida which was a vehicle to showcase the release “Authentic” (Greyphone).

As well as his own recordings, Eugene has recorded on several notable artists’ releases. One being the 2006 release of his mentor and friend, Ernest Ranglin’s Surfin’ (Telarc). He has also recorded on all of the albums by Kid Creole and the Coconuts including arranging the song “Haiti” on their 1994 project. Others include, Ras Tesfa’s Voice of the Rastaman (Shanachie) and on the 1995 album “Via Jo” (Triloka) by artist Vieux Diop from Senegal, West Africa. Mr. Grey composed and arranged an original piece “Song for Jah” which was featured on the album “Another One Gone” (Shanachie) by artist Safi Abdullah.