Moving to Singapore from HK in 1994, and having just released
my first CD, I was most anxious to continue playing jazz professionally.
But, I had only the right of abode there and no valid employment
pass. I met the Singapore branch accountant of a music company
that I had worked for in HK, and he suggested I incorporate
my own company in Singapore, thereby obtaining an employment
pass as Managing Director of my own entertainment company.
I had no idea then how successful the company would become.
Within a few years the company was making more than I was
as a player! But it was a slow start, taking about 6 months
for me to get a steady playing job, my primary goal.
In March of 1994, I became the bandleader of The Greg
Chako Trio at the Pan Pacific Hotel, featuring the famous
Redd Holt (from the Ramsey Lewis Trio), and also played there
with The
Jean DuShon Trio from New York, featuring the famous bassist
Victor Gaskin.
In 1995, I joined the world famous Raffles
Hotel where I led a steady jazz group for over six years
(see
letter). Occasionally
musicians visiting Singapore came to Raffles to play with
my trio, for example, Akira Jimbo from Caseopia, jazz singer
Carol Kidd from the UK, sax man Gordan Brisker from the USA,
and a host of guitar
players and others.The
atmosphere on that steady gig was always very fun and relaxed,
a players'
dream (and mine) come true!
I recorded four CD's
and six videos in Singapore, was the subject of a documentary
movie, appeared on television, and at jazz festivals with
"World Beat" and "Integration", 7-10 piece
world-latin-jazz-fusion bands. My company boasted a most prestigious
list of regular clients (www.chako.com.sg).
Featured performances:
Chi-Jazz
Festival 2 years
Headliner, Band leader of "World Beat" 7 piece latin-jazz
group (live video recording)
Heineken
Jazz Festival
Headliner, Band leader of "Integration" 7 piece world-jazz
group in Kuala Lumpur
Band leader of the Greg Chako Quintet, Singapore
American Associations'
"Jazz in the Park" @ Fort Canning
Park
Headliner, Band leader of "Integration" 10 piece world-jazz
group
World
Gourmet Food Summit 2001/2002
For 2 years, Organizer of all entertainment for all premier
events
Band leader of "World Beat" 7 piece latin-jazz group
Band leader of the Greg Chako Quintet
Raffles
Hotel
Bar and Billiard Room, Agent for Max Surin Band, April
'95 -July '95
Band leader of The Greg Chako Trio July '95 to Dec. 2000 (live
CD/video recording 1998)
Band leader of 6 piece BBR Latin/Dance Band Jan.-Dec. 2001
Band leader of The New York Jazz Ensemble Jan. - June 2002
(live studio video recording 2002)
(see
guest comments)
Somersets
Bar
Agent for Alice Day Quartet March -June 2002
Band leader for Coco York "On the Silk Road" quintet
June - Aug. 2002 (live video recording 2002)
Pan
Pacific Hotel
Band leader, Greg Chako trio featuring Redd Holt and Belinda
Moody, April '95-June'95.
Agent/player for Jean Du Shon trio with Victor Gaskin from New
York, July'95- Oct.'95
Hyatt Regency
Featured classical guitarist for daily 'high tea' April '95-June
'95
Four
Seasons Hotel
Featured classical guitarist for 'high tea' June '96 to 1998
Sunday Brunch Jazz Quartet - co leader
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Featured classical guitarist for 'VIP' Executive lounge March
2000 to Oct. 2001
Fullerton Hotel
Leader Sunday Brunch Latin Jazz Quintet
Agent for the hotel for 2 years
US Navy
Ball
" Played and arranged all the musical entertainment for
the US Navy Ball three years in a row, to rave reviews."
American
Club Agent
for the club for two+ years (see letters)
Band Leader of the Sunday Brunch Greg Chako Quartet featuring
Christy Smith, Michael Stanton, Darryl Ervin
Band Leader of The Greg Chako Swingtet featuring The Jitterbugs
Swingapore Dancers
Including,
but not limited to: live performances with
large and small groups for the PSA Afternoon Concert Series,
various Singapore Government Agencies, TCS (Television Corporation
of Singapore), Raffles City Convention Center Concert Series,
Centerpoint Properties Concert Series, Park Mall Concert Series,
Singapore Airlines, Citibank, Compaq Computers, Visa International,
Coca-Cola, CNN, Optis Communications, concerts for former
American Ambassador Steven Green, Tony and Melanie Chew, The
Zeiglers, The Presidents Club, Alkaff Mansion, Singapore Recreation
Club, British Club, Tanglin Club, Swiss Club, American
Club, PTA Tanglin School Ball, Westin Hotel, Oriental,
Mandarin Hotel, Shangri-La, Grand Hyatt, Sentosa Beaufort
Hotel, and many more... (see
Greg's newsletters archive link)
Press Clippings:
click on links or images for larger version
Moving to Singapore from HK in 1994, and having just released
my first CD, I was most anxious to continue playing jazz professionally.
But, I had only the right of abode there and no valid employment
pass. I met the Singapore branch accountant of a music company
that I had worked for in HK, and he suggested I incorporate
my own company in Singapore, thereby obtaining an employment
pass as Managing Director of my own entertainment company.
I had no idea then how successful the company would become.
Within a few years the company was making more than I was
as a player! But it was a slow start, taking about 6 months
for me to get a steady playing job, my primary goal. 
