RAFAEL GRECO: DICE QUE VIVE (SIGNS OF LIFE)

Saxophonist, composer, singer and producer/arranger, Rafael Greco was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He graduated from the prestigious José Luis Paz Conservatory as an integral member of the National Youth Orchestra from his home state of Zulia, where he studied privately under Giuseppe Terenzio and Renzo Salvetti. He moved to Caracas in 1988, where he began his advanced studies under such masters as Gerry Weil, Á​​lvaro Cordero, and Olegario Díaz.

In Venezuela, Rafael Greco has enjoyed a distinguished and successful career as part of Venezuela’s most influential and important group, multi-Latin Grammy winners, Guaco. For decades, Rafael has toured the world with this internationally recognized group, bringing with them their homeland’s spirit and unique rhythmic perspective.

​In addition, he has worked alongside other significant national and international artists, and the diversity of his contributions to these varied projects included performing as a multi-instrumentalist and creating unique keyboard sounds as orchestral textures.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Rafael Greco is also a published author and an exceptionally gifted photographer. His children’s books include: “Begoña la araña” (“Begoña the spider) “ La nueva naríz” (“The new Nose”) published by Camelia Editions.

His photos have been used for the album covers for these artists: “El Vecino” (Juanma Trujillo) and “Viaje a la luna” (Mariana Serrano). His photos were also a featured part of the “Chroma” Project by Antonio Mazzei in conjunction with other globally recognized photographers such as Caterina di Perri, Diego Sierralta, Fran Beaufrand, Fryd Frydendhal, Jonas Bendiksen, Oscar Bambú​ Castillo, Ricardo Jiménez and Sara Maneiro. All curated by: Vasco Szinetar.

In 2022, Rafael Greco debuted his album as a solo artist and leader titled: “Dice que vive” (Signs of Life) on Blue Canoe Records. Within this work, he offers a most intimate vision that translates his world in a very personal way through his lyrics and sonic tapestries. 

“This album begins with a study of reiteration. Generally, in folk music, rhythmic cells are repeated to form a continuous fabric that groove and inspire dancing. Upon discovering the rhythms of Central Africa and composer Steve Reich caused me to listen to reiteration, the art of repitition from another angle. It was almost like looking at a butterfly’s wings through a microscope. Each song contains reiterative cues, layers of sounds, carefully designed textures that were vital to creating a work that could give the impression of being a simple yet coherent architectural illusion. The album is also a tribute to my family, to the music of my homeland, to my memories, to the places and people that marked the way I perceive my surroundings. It is a sincere attempt to express my musical and artistic nature. I must mention some of the great masters who influenced this work: Naná Vasconcelos, Charles Ives, Toru Takemitsu, Don Grolnick, Johnny Pacheco, Ángel Canales, Keith Jarrett, Django Bates, Federico Mompou, Steve Winwood, Bruce Hornsby, Lyle Mays, Michael Brecker, Adalberto Santiago, Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Steve Reich, James Taylor, Juan de Dios Martínez, Olivier Messiaen, Joe Zawinul, Peter Gabriel and Oliver Knussen.”

SOURCE: Blue Canoe Records