Over a career spanning two decades in the Baltimore-Washington area, Greg has collaborated with trumpeter Chris Gekker, Grammy-winning saxophonist Chris Vadala, Emmy-winning filmmaker Richard Chisholm, and many others.
A former finalist in the United States Naval Academy Band piano audition, Greg holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Piano from the University of Maryland, College Park. Learn more here.
Education
- University of Maryland, College Park (M.M., Jazz Piano, 2008)
- Towson University, Towson MD (B.S., Psychology, Top 10% of Class, 2004)
- Shepherd University, Shepherdstown WV (B.A., Trumpet Performance, Cum Laude, 2002)
Positions Held
- Pianist, Ravita Jazz (2021 – )
- Pianist, The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble (2019 – )
- Interim Pianist, Babcock Presbyterian Church (2019 – 2020)
- Pianist, Baltimore Jazz Consortium (2019 – )
- Pianist, Jazz One (2015 – 2019)
- Substitute Pianist, Swingtopia (2014)
- Pianist, Songbook (2013)
- Substitute Pianist, Washington Symphonic Brass (2013)
- Substitute Pianist, The Joker’s Wild (2012)
- Substitute Pianist, Willard InterContinental Hotel (2012)
- Substitute Pianist, American Tap Room (2011)
- Pianist, The Phil Ravita Group (2010 – 2014)
- Finalist, United States Naval Academy Band Piano Audition (2009)
- Substitute Pianist, Backstage (2008)
- Pianist, Potomac Jazz Project (2008)
- Pianist, Greg Thompkins Quintet (2007)
- Pianist, University of Maryland Jazz Ensemble (2006 – 2010)
- Pianist, University of Maryland Combo (2006 – 2008)
- Substitute Pianist, The Antrim (2002 – 2010)
- Substitute Pianist, Towson Golf and Country Club (2002 – 2015 )
- Pianist, Adam Hanlin Quartet (2000 – 2002)
- Pianist, Dan Tait Quartet (2000 – 2002)
- Pianist, Shepherd University Jazz Combo (1999 – 2002)
- Pianist, Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble (1998 – 2002)
Teaching Experience
- Music and Arts (2002 – )
- All About Music (2005 – 2006)
- Musician’s Institute of Baltimore (2002 – 2005)
- Shepherd University Preparatory (2002)
Performing Experience
Independent Freelancing in MD, VA, WV, PA, and NY (1999 – )
- Performed professionally with Chris Gekker, Chris Vadala, Darryl Brenzel, Greg Thompkins, Linda Mabbs, Lena Seikaly, Robert Gibson, Michelle Djokic, Julie Keim, Tim Powell, Nucleo Vega, Adam Hanlin, Chuck Ferrell, Brent Madsen, Todd Butler, Sara Jones, Scott Paddock, Swingtopia, Backstage, The Joker’s Wild, The Phil Ravita Band, Jazz One, The Potomac Jazz Project, The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble, and Songbook, among others
- Peformances in Big Band, Sextet, Quintet, Quartet, Trio, Duo, and Solo Piano
- Venues include Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Frank Performing Arts Center, Engineer’s Club, Harbor Court Hotel, Bethesda Country Club, Antrim 1844, Towson Golf and Country Club, Baltimore Country Club, Phillips, Historic Oakland Mansion, The Marriott, The Bavarian Inn, Cress Creek Country Club, The Clarion, The Holiday Inn, The Sheraton, The Old Pharmacy Cafe and Soda Fountain, The Mecklenberg Inn, Bentz Street Raw Bar, The Entler Hotel, The Yellow Brick Bank, Smith and Hawken Store, The York Inn, Fountainhead Country Club, Copra, The Orchid, Tyson Place, Overhills Mansion, Jordan’s Steakhouse, Towson Presbyterian Church, Woodside United Methodist Church, University of Maryland Chapel, University of Maryland McKeldin Library, University of DC, Fino, Heritage Harbour Community Association, The Oracle, American University, The Hotel Washington, The Claude Ligon House of Jazz, The Market Inn, Market Street Bar and Grill, Cradle Valley Farm, Nyumburu Cultural Center, Ice House Cafe and Oyster Bar, The Metropolitan Club, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Double Tree Hotel, Annapolis House of Delegates, University of Maryland Benjamin Building, Tiffany and Co., Church of the Epiphany, St. Catherine Laboure Church, University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center, Ashland Presbyterian Church, Sanctuary at Holy Cross, American Tap Room, Germano’s Trattoria, Governor Calvert House, Willard InterContinental Hotel, Timpano Chophouse, An die Musik, Babcock Presbyterian Church, Normandie Farm Restaurant, Veterans Plaza, Mansion at Strathmore, Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, The Textile Museum, York College of Pennsylvania, Presbyterian Church of the Atonement, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Georgetown University, Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Historic Kent Manor Inn, Greenbelt Community Church, Owen Brown Community Center, Busboys and Poets, Frederick Community College Studio Theater, Weinberg Village, Notre Dame of Maryland University, HomeSlyce Pizza Bar, Towson University Student Union, Jesuits Colombiere, Mercy Ridge, Prince George’s Community College, Carroll County Public Library, College of Southern Maryland, Edenwald Retirement Community, Wright Way Studio, Hilton Hotel, Sulgrave Club, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Trinacria Cafe, Ronald Reagan Building Woodrow Wilson Plaza, North Bend Elementary/Middle School, Mount St. Mary’s University, Takoma Station, Baltimore Museum of Industry, Baltimore County Public Library (Woodlawn, Towson, Pikesville, Hereford, Rosedale, and Owings Mills branches), Equitable Building, Tabrizi’s, St. Margaret Parish, Pennington St. Stage, Congressional Country Club, Inner Harbor Ampitheater, Omega Recording Studios, Maryland Presbyterian Church, Cafe Mezzanotte, Liriodendron Mansion, The Wharf, Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, and various private residences
University of Maryland Jazz Ensembles (2006 – 2010)
- Performances at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Billion Dollar UMD Fundraising Initiative Gala, and Calvin Jones Jazz Festival
Shepherd University Jazz Ensembles (1998 – 2002)
- Performances with Allen Vizzutti, Bill Watrous, Ingrid Jensen, Juanita Williams, Walt Weiskopf, Fred Hughes and Scott Paddock
- Tours throughout London, Paris, PA, MD, VA, and WV
Festival Participation
- Art in the Park (Cafe Mezzanotte, 2022, with Ravita Jazz)
- Havre de Grace Jazz & Blues Fest (Pennington St. Stage, 2022, with the Baltimore Jazz Alliance)
- Live! Concert Series on the Plaza (Ronald Reagan Building Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 2021-2022, with the Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble)
- Free Fall Baltimore (An die Musik, 2015-2019 with Jazz One; An die Musik, 2012, 2014, 2020-2021 with the Phil Ravita Group; 2022 with Ravita Jazz)
- Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art (National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 2014, with Swingtopia)
- Silver Spring Jazz Festival (Veterans Plaza, 2013, with Songbook, opening for Branford Marsalis)
- Music and Meditation Concert Series (Towson Presbyterian Church, 2012-2014, Solo Piano)
- Music in Mind: “Plays Well With Others” (University of Maryland, 2011, with Chris Gekker, Chris Vadala, Robert Gibson, and Linda Mabbs)
- Second Sunday Concert Series (Ashland Presbyterian Church, 2011, 2014, 2017, Solo Piano; 2018, Baltimore Jazz Consortium)
- Calvin Jones Jazz Festival (University of DC, 2007-2010, with the University of Maryland Jazz Ensemble)
- Concordia Chamber Players Concert Series (Cradle Valley Farm, New Hope PA, 2008, with Chris Gekker)
- Baltimore Washington JAZZFest (Oakland Mansion, Columbia MD, 2007, with the Greg Thompkins Quintet)
- East Coast Jazz Festival (Double Tree Hotel, Rockville MD, 2002, with the Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble)
- International Association of Jazz Educators National Conference (New York NY, 2001; New Orleans LA, 2000, Festival Attendee)
- International Association of Jazz Educators Regional Conference (York PA, 2000, with the Shepherd University Jazz Combo)
Master Class Performances
- Dr. E. Ron Horton (2008)
- Vardan Ovsepian (2003)
- Rex Richardson (2002)
- Walt Weiskopf (2002)
- Fred Hughes (2000)
- Ingrid Jensen (2000)
- Bill Watrous (1999)
Primary Instructors
- Jon Ozment (2007 – 2008)
- Ron Elliston (2006)
- Tim Murphy (2003)
- Fred Hughes (1999 – 2002)
- Joyce Keedy (1990 – 1997)
References
- Chris Vadala (Director of Jazz Studies, University of Maryland)
- After a lengthy and storied career, Chris lost his battle to cancer in 2019. During Greg’s time at UMD and after, he was a trusted and valued mentor. Years ago, he was kind enough to write a few words about Greg’s debut recording Singularity: “This recording showcases an introspective approach to piano playing with lots of variety and pleasant surprises! We, at the University of Maryland Jazz Studies program, are proud to see another of our talented graduates excel in performance and composition.“
- Jon Ozment (Piano Faculty, University of Maryland)
- 202-363-8038
- jon@jonozment.com
- Greg Thompkins (Yamaha Artist, Tenor Saxophone)
- 443-854-5876
- greg@rolandparkjazz.com