Performance, production, composition & tuition
woodwind, electronics & more
Greg is a musician originally from the West Midlands but now based in Yorkshire, having settled there upon graduating from Leeds College Of Music (BA Jazz Studies). He is a prolific and experienced performer, writer, producer and teacher specialising in woodwind instruments.
He has been involved in many aspects of the music industry, including commissioned composition/production, working with rappers and singers, musical direction, radio, session work and performing regularly across the UK and Europe. Stylistically his tastes and interests are diverse, taking in everything from jazz and funk to hip-hop and electronic music.
Greg's music has been released by several labels including Wah Wah 45s, Tru Thoughts, Compost and Big Dada; broadcast on BBC Radio 1, 1xtra, Radio 3, 6 Music, Rinse FM, XFM, Radio Leeds and more; and he has performed at some of the UK's biggest festivals. With various projects he has shared stages with acts like Bonobo, Roots Manuva, Nightmares On Wax, Alice Russell, Finley Quaye and many more.
Performance, composition & production
Greg performs regularly with a variety of different projects, playing saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, analogue synths and live electronics. He also produces, mixes and masters music for himself and other artists. Current work includes (click the project name for info):
Paper Tiger - electronic hip-hop/space-jazz (musical direction, production, performance)
Captain Over - broken beat/synth-funk/grime (production)
Chrome Glaciers - organic beat music (production, performance)
Raphael Attar - comic hip-hop surrealism (production, performance)
Alligator Gumbo - 8-piece New Orleans swing/jazz/blues (performance)
Musa Okwonga - spoken-word electronica (production)
music & live videos
Lead single from Paper Tiger's 2nd album 'Blast Off' (2016), with Grammy winner Shafiq Husayn. Animation by Prefix Studios
Paper Tiger live at The Shacklewell Arms, London (2013). Directed/Filmed by Ricky Kershaw and Jeff Metal
Alligator Gumbo live at Leeds Jazz Club (2015). Filmed and edited by Matthew Tiffany
Raphael Attar Variety Hour live in London (2012)
bespoke production
As well as producing his own work, Greg has produced, mixed and mastered music for a variety of clients and uses - rappers and spoken-word artists, advertising, viral marketing and more. He is adept at working to a brief and always able to meet deadlines. Watch below for a brief selection and get in touch via the Contact page if you would like to discuss further.
Flexible tuition to suit you
Greg is an enthusiastic, dedicated and experienced educator, having been teaching in Yorkshire for over ten years - this has included long-term placements in schools, group workshops, leading large ensembles and private tuition. His teaching style is informal but rigorous, ensuring the right balance of technical knowledge, motivation and enjoyment.
He currently offers one-to-one lessons in:
- Saxophone (beginner to advanced)
- Clarinet (beginner to advanced)
- Flute (beginner to intermediate)
- Music theory, composition and improvisation
Tuition can be tailored to suit the student's needs and cover all ages (from young children to adults), abilities and ambitions - guidance through exam syllabuses (ABRSM and Trinity), improvising, basic technique, learning your favourite tunes or just getting up at your local jam session.
Please get in touch via the Contact page to discuss availability, rates or any other questions.
upcoming dates
Friday 14th July - Alligator Gumbo Matt & Phred's Jazz Club, MANCHESTER
Thursday 10th August - Alligator Gumbo Head Of Steam, HEADINGLEY
Friday 1st September - Alligator Gumbo The Domino Club, LEEDS
Sunday 8th October - Paper Tiger (Live) The Hi-Fi Club, LEEDS
Friday 13th October - Paper Tiger (Live) The Jam Jar, BRISTOL
Saturday 14th October - Paper Tiger (Live) Gwdihŵ, CARDIFF
press
"Blast Off is altogether a triumph, a relentlessly modern record that channels deep understanding of the past and most importantly a core of rump-shaking funk that, completely aside from how clever or strange it is, makes it an absolute delight to keep coming back to.” The Arts Desk ★★★★★
“Paper Tiger inhabit a niche that is all their own… Organic, energetic, non-conformist and filled with unexpected sonics.” Bonafide Magazine
"Wonderful, lovely stuff." Lauren Laverne (BBC 6 Music) on Paper Tiger
"...puts together all that's best about current electronic music in one package. Intricate yet punchy, weird but very wonderful." Review of Paper Tiger's Illuminated EP by Mixmag
"Solid instrumental excursions that touch on everything from twisted beats to dancefloor jams and dubby melancholia." Paper Tiger debut album Laptop Suntan, best releases of the month by FACT
"Staggeringly diverse... beautiful saxophone." Review of Musa Okwonga's The Nomadic EP by The 405
"Charmingly ramshackle." Praise for The Raphael Attar Variety Hour from The Guardian
get in touch
If you would like to contact Greg regarding tuition, performance or session work:
Email - gregsurmaczmusic@gmail.com
Phone - +44(0)7708811962
For bespoke composition/production commissions, remixes or anything else:
Email: hello@papertigerband.co.uk