Photo by John Marolakos
Gregg August, bass
Bassist and composer Gregg August spans the classical, avant-garde, jazz, and Latin jazz worlds, making him one of the most versatile musicians on the scene today. He is an Associate Member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra as well as the former Principal Bass of La Orquestra Ciutat de Barcelona and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. As a jazz bassist Mr. August is a member of the JD Allen Trio and Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.
In 2020, he released his album Dialogues on Race and received a Grammy nomination in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble category. An extended suite for 22 musicians and narrator, the work integrates poems to create musical conversations intended to foster awareness and understanding on the issues surrounding race relations in the United States.
Mr. August was awarded two Grand Prizes by the International Society of Bassists for the 2020 David Walter Composers Competition. He has also composed many full-length concert works, including Variations on a Theme by Pérotin which was commissioned and premiered by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in 2021.
He has performed and/or recorded with Branford Marsalis, Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea, Ray Barretto, New York Philharmonic, Steve Reich, and the Bang on a Can All-Stars.
Gregg August is on faculty at New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Williams College, and the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA.