Eugene Grey
Guitarist and vocalist Eugene Grey is a world-class reggae artist, known for his work with such artists as Burning Spear and Kid Creole. He has an impressive discography dating back more than twenty years. But the reggae world never knew he could play jazz and rock with the best of them.
Ted Knight collected his business card when they met at a party where Ted was playing, and Eugene and his wife were guests.
Several years passed. Then one day Ted called him up and asked if he could handle big band work. In his soft Jamaican accent, Eugene said he certainly could, and would like to. He could read music well, knew theory and harmony, and enjoyed pop music and standards just as much as his beloved calypso and reggae.
He modestly explained that although he had learned every kind of music in college, no one in Florida had ever asked him to do anything but reggae. In fact, he hadn't ever been asked to wear his tuxedo even once during his nine years in South Florida.
Variety is the spice of life
Ted soon changed all that. Eugene played with his big band at a Tampa wedding and at the annual Lantana concert. He did standards with Ted's orchestra for the Navy League Ball in Ft. Lauderdale, then turned around and did classic rock with Crosswind for a party in Lake Park.
Later it was rock and reggae for a surprise 50th birthday party in Boca Raton. Since then he's played with Ted for the annual Commodore's Ball at Boca Grande on the Florida Gulf coast, and for the Miami Beach High School Class of 1955 reunion at Turnberry Isle in Aventura.