Gregory Alper's musical career began early. He started composing on the piano at age 6 and quickly taught himself guitar, and later, saxophone. He formed his first rock bands in the early 60's and began playing professionally at age 12. He received a BA in Jazz Improvisation and Experimental Tape in 1975 from Indiana University and also performed at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival that same year, receiving critical acclaim from Sonny Rollins, who, to this day, remains his idol.
He moved to New York and spent the next 15 years performing and recording. In 1978 Adelphi Records issued his first album, FAT DOGGIE with the Greg Alper Band. He opened his own recording studio and began producing demos and albums for songwriters. He also began scoring industrial films and commercials.
In 1989. after composing the score for the award-winning documentary NOT MADE OF GLASS, he decided to move to LA. There, he also scored and recorded the soundtrack for the original World of Warcraft game; and The Alper Quartet recorded an original song for the Harrison Ford movie RANDOM HEARTS.
In 1990, he founded the Gregory Alper Music School, providing private instruction on sax, clarinet, flute, piano, and jazz improvisation. His teaching has expanded into a program for young musicians. The highlight of his week is teaching a Master Class for Alper's Young Musician's Big Band, a highly spirited group of middle- schoolers swinging and improvising on classic big band charts and modern standards. He also directs the Jazz Band for Children's Music Workshop, a citywide music education service whose annual honors orchestra performances at UCLA are broadcast on Public Television, and have won 3 Emmy awards. For more information see AlperMusic.com or search Alper's Young Musicians Big Band on YouTube.
He continues to appear regularly in the Los Angeles area with the Gregory Alper Quartet. Links to his extensive catalog of compositions and recordings can be found at AlperMusic.com
"FAT DOGGIE" ~ 1978 on Adelphi Records (reissued 2010 on First Hand Records; remastered at Abbey Road) (Download from iTunes or Amazon) "CAVES OF MYSTERY" ~ 1992 on Magnum Opus "MY TIME" ~ 1994 on Magnum Opus "COMMON GROUND" ~ 1998 on Magnum Opus with Wanui Records (all 3 available directly from the artist) SmartArtMarkets's pick for Greg's Song of the Day
Contact Greg directly by email: GA.one@verizon.net or through one of his websites. Explore Greg's Artwork Return to the Musical Arts Homepage Background Music: "Sonja's Song", written and recorded by Gregory Alper