“Chris Greene is a Chicago jazz treasure. One of my favorite musicians.”-Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune
The Chris Greene Quartet has been a highly visible part of Chicago’s jazz scene since 2005, and has maintained a stable lineup from the beginning, with the exception of Steve Corley, who has held the drum chair since 2011. Damian Espinosa on piano and keyboards and Marc Piane on acoustic and electric basses have been onboard since the beginning. Unique among Chicago bands, most of whom feature, by necessity, constantly shifting personnel, the CGQ has been able to develop a true group sound and feel, harking back to bands from the classic age of jazz when groups could stay together for long periods of time. While honoring the tradition, the CGQ incorporates elements of funk, hip-hop, rock, pop, the blues and reggae, reflecting their diverse backgrounds.
CGQ’s most recent album “PlaySPACE 2 - Play Harder” was voted one of the best albums of 2021 by DownBeat Magazine.” The band was also recently honored at the 2018 Chicago Music Awards with an award for “Best Jazz Entertainer” and recently won the “Best Jazz Band” category in the Chicago Reader “Best of Chicago” Poll.