Everybody's Got A Name

Greg Chako writes about Everybody's Got A Name, "Never have I awaited a release with as much anticipation and excitement as this. One reason is that I really like the songs I've written. Another is this particular format. It's significant not only because it's a return to the trio setting of my roots and the first time I've presented a quartet of piano, guitar, bass and drums, but also because I'm playing with the guys I'm most familiar with from my regular gigs in Japan, where I've lived for the past few years. That brings me to the point of this releases' title. Professionals in the Jazz industry have explained that I'm better off recording with so-called "name" cats, in order to get the attention and exposure I want. While I don't disagree with that advice, this CDs' whole concept is my humorous way to respond to critics who over-emphasize "name" recognition at the expense of listening fairly with open ears and mind. After all, everybody's got a name, or, everybody's who's got something uniquely valid to say has a right to be taken seriously. Now a few brief words about the band. Mark and I met and played together first. We met Hasegawa on a tip from another musician, and when he and Mark met, they hit it off real well musically and personally. Meanwhile, Tanaka and I met on a duet gig. Mark knew of Tanaka, so we thought, why not put the four of us together, two Japanese and two Americans, and call ourselves CJQ (Collaboration Jazz Quartet)? We love playing together, and have a healthy respect for one anothers' dedication to the music."